Caesar-Chavannes with highest approval
TORONTO,
OCTOBER 27th, 2014 - In a random
sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 894 voters in the
federal riding of Whitby-Oshawa, where a by-election will be held on November
17, the Conservative candidate, Pat Perkins, has more than 4-in-10 votes (41%)
to about one third for her Liberal counterpart, Celina Caesar-Chavannes (32%).
The NDP candidate would be supported by about one sixth if the election were
held today (15%), and few would vote Green (8% - the previous candidate's name
was used) or for any other candidate (4%). Males will support Pat Perkins more
than females (46% to 36%), while the gender gap works in Celina Caesar-Chavannes'
favour (28% to 36%, respectively). Both past Liberal and past Conservative
voters are equally likely to support their parties this time (77% and 74%,
respectively) whereas New Democrats are less likely to do so (58%). Of note,
one fifth of past NDP voters will vote Liberal this time around (18%).
Awareness high for Pat Perkins, approval tops for
Caesar-Chavannes
Awareness of
Pat Perkins, Whitby's mayor, is high (82%), and more than half of those aware
approve of her (57%). By contrast, just half as many are aware of Celina
Caesar-Chavannes (44%) but two thirds approve of the candidate (69%). New
Democrat Trish McAuliffe has similar levels of awareness (42%) and approval
(61%).
“Jim
Flaherty has left a powerful legacy in this riding, but he's also left big
shoes to fill. The Liberal frisson that's sweeping the country appears to be
having its effect here too. Everyone knows Pat Perkins, but Caesar-Chavannes is
very popular among those who know her, and she has a lot of upside yet,” said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is
the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.
