BC Voters See Accusations of Liberal Corruption as What Turned the Tide

A new poll by NRG Research Group shows Stephen Harper’s Conservatives with a strong lead over Liberals among decided voters in the province of BC.

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) January 22, 2006 -- A new poll by NRG Research Group shows Stephen Harper’s Conservatives with a strong lead over Liberals among decided voters in the province of BC. Among decided voters in BC, 35 percent favour the Conservatives, 28 percent favour the Liberals and 27 percent favour the NDP. The Conservatives have a strong lead in the Interior and the North. In the Lower Mainland area the Conservatives and Liberals are in a virtual tie and on Vancouver Island the NDP leads the other two parties.

It would appear that one of the main factors affecting outcomes in this race is the Liberals inability to rid themselves of the odour of scandal. Respondents were asked what factors have contributed to the Conservatives moving ahead in the polls. ‘On-going accusations of scandal and corruption’ (among the Liberals) was cited most frequently as the reason for the Conservative rise in popularity ( 73 %). “As things now stand, this election is being lost by Paul Martin’s Liberals primarily because of their inability to shake public perception that they are corrupt,” said Dr. Adam Di Paula, Senior Vice President of NRG Research Group.

“Victory in politics often goes to the person who makes the least mistakes – in this case Stephen Harper has done many things right and Paul Martin has had many things go wrong.”

“Our results also show that British Columbians don’t feel that BC issues have been adequately addressed during this federal election campaign,” remarked Di Paula. “Fifty-seven percent of British Columbians feel that BC matters have not been fully addressed.”

About the survey

Eight hundred randomly selected BC residents, proportionate to the province’s population, were interviewed as part of NRG Research Group’s monthly omnibus – Ask BC, BC’s leading monthly omnibus survey. Overall results are accurate to within +/- 3.5%, 19 times out of 20 and were collected from January16 to January 19, 2006.

Full results available at www.nrgresearchgroup.com.

About NRG Research Group

NRG Research Group was formed in June 2005 from a merger between Western Opinion Research and Nordic Research Group. NRG is one of Canada’s leading market and public opinion research firms. NRG provides both quantitative and qualitative research services through its Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Halifax offices to clients throughout North America and worldwide.

For further information contact:
Adam Di Paula, PhD
Senior Vice President
NRG Research Group
T: (604) 676-5641
www.nrgresearchgroup.com

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