According to a new CTV News Ipsos Reid poll, many Canadians are looking for a change in federal politics.
The poll shows that under Justin Trudeau’s leadership the Liberal party has been gaining ground.
If an election was held tomorrow the vote breakdown would be:
- Liberals: 33 per cent (-2 points since November),
- Conservatives: 29 per cent (unchanged),
- NDP: 27 per cent (+ 1)
- Bloc Quebecois: seven per cent (+1)
- Other (including Green Party): 4 per cent (+1)
- Fifteen per cent of those surveyed remain undecided.
It is something that will make for an interesting election in 2015, according to a professor emeritus at the University of Alberta.
“I think that after eight years of Conservative rule people want a leader who is going to change the direction of the country and do some things that have not been down before,” Saleem Qureshi explained.
He said it came down to leadership style.
“In democratic politics the most important thing is to be able to connect with the people.”
Something he said Trudeau does but Stephen Harper does not.
“I don’t think he is liked by many people apart from his special base in Alberta,” Qureshi said.
“Because of ideology he is not taking into account the consequences of the policies he is pursuing,” he added.
Edmonton-Leduc MP James Rajotte disagreed.
He said that Canadians will vote based on results.
“I think Canadians have to look at the records, have to look at the qualifications of both individuals when they are choosing someone who is going to be the leader of a country.”
Edmonton’s regional chair for the Liberal Party of Canada warns that Harper shouldn’t take Alberta support for granted.
“A lot of people have gotten tired of the Conservative promises and they are coming to the Liberals,” Richard Fahlman told CTV News.
“Donations, memberships are all increasing exponentially.”
Regardless of the outcome, Qureshi said the next election should be interesting.
“The leader debates are going to be very lively.”
With files from Nicole Weisberg
