-- OTTAWA -- The Harper Conservatives will enter a federal election campaign with a polling lead that puts them within striking distance of winning a majority government, according to a new survey taken on the eve of an expected vote.**********
The new poll for The Globe and Mail-CTV News finds Canadian voters satisfied with the direction of the country and significantly more confident in the leadership abilities of the Tories and Prime Minister Stephen Harper than they are in those of his main rival, Stéphane Dion and the Liberals.
According to the poll, conducted by the Strategic Counsel, 37 per cent of Canadians would opt to vote for the Tories were an election to be held today, compared with 29 per cent for the Liberals, 17 per cent for the NDP and 9 per cent for the Green Party.
RELATED: Looks like Dion green-shafted himself
According to the poll, 33 per cent of Canadians feel the economy is getting worse, and only 13 per cent believe it's getting better. The possibility of an economic downturn has become the top political issue facing the country.Yeah... and with his skates on the wrong feet, no doubt.
That could be difficult news for Dion, who has made the environment and his "Green Shift" plan a central issue to use against the Conservatives.
"The risk here is that he's shown up at a baseball game in full hockey gear," said Donolo.
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