Liberals Have a Strong Lead

Liberals Have a Strong Lead

But Leaders’ numbers show little distance between McNeil, Baillie, and Burrill

Toronto, May 8th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 1042 Nova Scotia voters, for those decided and leaning, more than 4-in-10 (41%) support the Nova Scotia Liberals. A third (32%) say they support the Progressive Conservatives, and a quarter (25%) say they support the NDP. (2%) respond that they support another party.

Respondents most likely to say that they support the Liberals include those aged 65+ (53%), males (43%), earning $40,000-$60,000 (50%), with some college/university (51%), and living on the South Shore (45%) or North End (44%).

Respondents most likely to say they support the Progressive Conservatives include those aged 45-54 (41%), earning $20,000-$40,000 (35%), $80,000-$100,000 (34%), and the most wealthy (37%), the least educated (36%), and living in Cape Breton (36%) or the South Shore (34%).

Respondents most likely to say they support the NDP include those aged 34 and younger (44%), females (29%), earning $60,000-$80,000 (32%) or $80,000-$100,000 (32%), with a post-graduate degree (38%), and living in Halifax (32%).

McNeil edges Baillie as best premier, but they are virtually tied

More than a quarter (27%) believe Stephen McNeil would make the best premier, barely ahead of Jamie Baillie (25%). Fewer than 2-in-10 see Gary Burrill (17%) as best premier, with almost a third (31%) reporting they don’t know who would make the best premier.

Burrill slightly ahead of McNeil on trustworthiness, but they are virtually tied

A quarter see Gary Burrill (24%) as the most trustworthy provincial leader, but only slightly ahead of Stephen McNeil (22%) as the pair are statistically tied. 2-in-10 see Jaime Baillie (20%) as most trustworthy. More than a third (35%) say they do not know.  

"The Liberals have strong numbers, which could account for their decision to call an election. Stephen McNeil, however, is tied with his opponents both on trust and for who would make the best premier, so the Liberals can’t celebrate just yet,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

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.