Poll Paints Grim Picture For Liberals In Quebec

Poll paints grim picture for Liberals in Quebec

Updated Sun. Mar. 30 2008 8:15 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

A new poll paints a devastating picture of a Liberal party completely reduced to a rump in Quebec if an election were held today.

"For the Liberals, they are in a worse position than they were in the middle of the sponsorship scandal," political commentator Jean Lapierre told CTV's Question Period on Sunday.

Political commentator L. Ian McDonald told Question Period that the CROP poll, conducted for the La Presse newspaper, establishes the Conservatives as the federal brand outside Montreal -- especially as the Bloc Quebecois sags.

The Bloc, which has been the province's dominant party, is down to 30 per cent support. The Tories are nipping at the sovereigntist party's heels with 29 per cent. The Liberals have only 20 per cent support, and the NDP are at 15 per cent.

"But when you drill down inside those numbers, they're awful for (Liberal Leader Stephane) Dion," McDonald said.

For francophones, who comprise about 85 per cent of Quebec voters, support breaks down this way:

• Bloc: 35 per cent
• Tories: 30 per cent
• Liberals, NDP: Tied at 15 per cent

A key region is Quebec City, the so-called 418 region. The news for the Liberals there is even worse:

• Tories: 41 per cent
• Bloc: 25 per cent
• NDP: 17 per cent
• Liberals: 14 per cent

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