Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

MacKay In The Lead But Nearly Half Of Tories Undecided On Leadership: Poll

The Canadian Press, 04 Mar, 2020 08:30 PM

    OTTAWA - A high number of undecided voters in the ongoing Conservative leadership race suggests there's room for others to catch up to, and potentially beat, front-runner Peter MacKay, says the vice-president of the Leger polling firm.

     

    Leger's latest survey suggests MacKay remains at the head of the pack in the contest, with the support of 25 per cent of those polled overall, and 38 per cent of those who say they would vote Conservative in an election.

     

    In second place is Erin O'Toole, with four per cent support overall and nine per cent among people who'd vote for the party in a general election.

     

    Sixty-three per cent of those surveyed said they don't know whom they'd vote for, with 47 per cent of Conservative voters in that camp.

     

    That 47 per cent is the number that matters, said Leger's Christian Bourque.

     

    "The fact that the front-runner is not able to convince half of the people who say they would vote Conservative in the poll, to me says they are not sure about him or any of the other leadership candidates," Bourque said.

     

    "So at this point in time it doesn't mean there will not be a race and a tighter race than we are seeing now."

     

    Eight people are currently in the leadership contest, but only MacKay and O'Toole have paid the entire $300,000 entry fee and submitted all 3,000 required signatures, ensuring their names will be on the ballot.

     

    The remaining candidates have until March 25 to meet the requirements, otherwise they drop off the list.

     

    The survey of 1,540 Canadians was conducted online between Feb. 28 and Mar. 2 and cannot be assigned a margin of error because online polls are not considered truly random.

     

    During that time, one of the candidates whose name was floated to poll respondents as a potential choice was barred from entering the race. Outspoken social conservative Richard Decarie had met the first requirement to register — $25,000 and 1,000 signatures — but for reasons the party will not disclose, was not allowed to run.

     

    In the Leger survey, he had the support of two per cent of those polled overall, and one per cent among those who would vote Conservative.

     

    He had the same level of support as five other existing candidates — Rick Peterson, Marilyn Gladu, Leslyn Lewis, Derek Sloan and Rudy Husny. Less than one per cent of those polled support Jim Karahalios.

     

    The 47 per cent of voters who are undecided give candidates considerable room to build support, said Leger.

     

    "It's focusing on this other raft of Conservatives who have not yet made up their mind, and what they're about, who they are and what they want to hear," he said.

     

    Only party members are eligible to vote in the leadership race, and people must purchase a membership by April 17 in order to cast a ballot.

     

    The Tories are to elect a new leader on June 27.

     

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs To Meet Today With Federal And B.C. Governments

    HOUSTON, B.C. - A meeting between Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and the federal and British Columbia government is expected to take place today.    

    Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs To Meet Today With Federal And B.C. Governments

    Ottawa's LRT Line Leaves Thousands Out In The Cold During Heavy Snowstorm

    OTTAWA - Many transit riders in Ottawa were left out in the cold during a heavy snowstorm after serious power issues on the city's beleaguered new light-rail system ground service to a snail's pace Thursday.    

    Ottawa's LRT Line Leaves Thousands Out In The Cold During Heavy Snowstorm

    Quebec Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Sex Worker While Out On Day Parole

    Quebec Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Sex Worker While Out On Day Parole
    QUEBEC - A man sentenced to life in prison in 2006 for the murder of his partner has pleaded guilty to killing a sex worker while out on day parole.    

    Quebec Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Sex Worker While Out On Day Parole

    RCMP To Stop Providing Security For Prince Harry And Meghan: Minister

    Public Safety Canada says the RCMP has been providing security for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since November, but plans to stop in coming weeks.

    RCMP To Stop Providing Security For Prince Harry And Meghan: Minister

    New Westminster Police Request For Witnesses In The Investigation Of High Risk Missing Person – NIRLA SHARMA

    The New Westminster Police Department is looking for any witnesses regarding the disappearance of 44-year-old New Westminster resident Nirla Sharma. Mrs.

    New Westminster Police Request For Witnesses In The Investigation Of High Risk Missing Person – NIRLA SHARMA

    City Of Surrey's Proposed Municipal Police Force Approved By The Provincial Government

    he Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth has reviewed the report submitted by the Provincial Municipal Policing Transition Study Committee, and the City of Surrey has been given approval to proceed with the formation of Surrey Police Department.  

    City Of Surrey's Proposed Municipal Police Force Approved By The Provincial Government