Of course, EKOS never found that the Tories were roaring ahead. So the fact that the Conservatives have gained 2.5 points from EKOS's last poll is of note. They now lead with 34.5%, ahead of the Liberals at 27.3% (+0.8). The smaller parties take a step backwards, as the New Democrats are down 2.3 points to 14.8% and the Greens are down 0.6 points to 10.3%. The Bloc Québécois is also down a little.
The EKOS poll had a slew of other questions included, and I'll get to them soon. But first, the regional results.
In Ontario, both the Liberals and Conservatives have gained about two points. The Conservatives lead with 36.7% but the Liberals aren't far behind at 34.5%. The NDP is down three points to 14.4%, while the Greens are down one to 11.3%. The Liberals lead in both Ottawa and Toronto with about 39% support, while the Conservatives trail with 34.8% in both cities.
The Bloc has dropped two points to 39.7%, but still lead the Liberals by a wide margin. They're up three points to 20.7%, while the Conservatives are up one to 18.8%. The NDP has dropped two points to 10%. The Bloc leads in Montreal with 40.5% to the Liberals' 22%. But wouldn't it be more interesting if EKOS released the data from Quebec City?
In British Columbia, there has been very little movement. The Conservatives are up two to 37.8%, while the NDP is steady at 23.1%. The Liberals are up one to 21.4%, while the Greens are down two to 14.1%. The Conservatives are well ahead in Vancouver with 41.9%, followed by the Liberals at 24%.
The race has narrowed in Atlantic Canada, as the Liberals drop five to 32% and the Conservatives drop two to 31.8%. The NDP is miraculously back in it with a four point gain. They are now at 26.2%.
Big changes in Alberta, where the Tories are up 15 points to 60.6%. The Liberals are down nine to 17.2% while the NDP is down seven to 8.3%. The source of the gain seems to be in Calgary, as the Conservatives now lead there with 76.2%. The Liberals are second (barely), at 11.7% in the city. But, again, wouldn't it be more interesting if EKOS released the data from Edmonton?
In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Conservatives are down six points to 38%, followed closely by the Liberals at 32% (+9). The NDP is down nine points to 15.7%. I say we chalk up that Liberal bounce to the small sample size.
With the results of this poll, the Conservatives would win 22 seats in British Columbia, 27 in Alberta, 19 in the Prairies, 49 in Ontario, eight in Quebec, and 10 in Atlantic Canada for a total of 136.The Liberals would win eight seats in British Columbia, one in Alberta, seven in the Prairies, 44 in Ontario, 14 in Quebec, and 17 in Atlantic Canada for a total of 93.
The Bloc would win 52 seats in Quebec.
The New Democrats would win six seats in British Columbia, none in Alberta, two in the Prairies, 13 in Ontario, one in Quebec, and five in Atlantic Canada for a total of 27.
Rather usual results, actually.
Now to the interesting tidbits in this poll. First off, Canadians are split as to whether they would prefer a Liberal or Conservative government. The Conservatives get the edge, however, as 39% (27% want a majority and 12% want a minority) would prefer a Tory government of some kind. The Liberals aren't far behind, with 37% wanting them to be in power (20% majority and 17% minority).
As to what is most likely to happen, 39% think the next government will be a Conservative minority, 21% think it will be a Liberal minority (optimistic bunch!), 15% think it will be a Conservative majority, and 10% think it will be a Liberal majority.
Considering that the greatest number of Canadians think we'll get the same result as what we have now, it's no wonder that 40% prefer that the election take place sometime in 2012. But 17% want it to take place now and another 15% think it should take place within the next four months. Another 21% want it take place sometime in the summer or fall of 2011.
If we break it down by party, we get an indication of their supporters' enthusiasm. The Bloc's voters seem to be the most keen to go, as 47% want the next election to take place now or within the next four months.
Surprisingly, Liberal supporters are the next most enthusiastic group, as 39% want the election to take place soon. The NDP's voters are at about the same level, at 38%.
Conservatives, however, seem happy with the way things are. Only 19% want an election to take place soon. Perhaps they think another election would just be a waste of time, or perhaps they sense an element of risk.
Another interesting question was on the subject of what motivates a voter into making their political choices. A party's platform appears to be the most important, as 44% of respondents chose it as their deciding factor. Another 19% think the leader is most important, while 16% make their decision based on the local candidate.
There were no significant variations by region or party on this issue.
Finally, EKOS also asked whether people would prefer a Conservative government or a coalition government. Note: EKOS did not say that the Tory government would be a majority (which is what I read somewhere), but did stipulate that the coalition would be between the Liberals and the New Democrats and be led by Michael Ignatieff.
Opinion is split: 40% said they wanted a Conservative government while 39% said they wanted a coalition government. Unsurprisingly, the Tories won out in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Prairies, while the coalition was on top in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.
It doesn't appear that the coalition is the scary idea the Conservatives are hoping it is. The question said nothing about voting choices, but rather if you were "forced to choose". Nevertheless, while it isn't a bogeyman, the idea of a coalition benefits the Tories. They picked up about five points on the question, while the Liberals and New Democrats lost three. And what's more, if the Conservatives get 40% but the Liberals and New Democrats split the other 39%, that's a ticket to a Tory majority.
It's a high risk game, however. If the Tories campaign strongly on the coalition, it will give the other parties the legitimacy to form one after the election if the numbers work out in their favour. Perhaps Stephen Harper realizes that, come what may, this will probably be his last campaign as leader of the Conservative Party. If he wins his majority, one wonders whether he would want to lead the party through another election in 2015 or 2016. If he doesn't, and is replaced by a stable coalition, he may not want to be opposition leader until then.
If it's an all or nothing gamble, it seems like the right time to do it.
There will be a projection update on Monday. So check The Globe and Mail website on Monday morning, or buy a copy of their print edition to see a cliff notes version of the latest projection. I will post later in the day on Monday or Tuesday with the details of the update. Have a great weekend!
