For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 1 of 4
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS
Saskatchewan’s Wall Becomes
Most Popular Premier in Canada
Newfoundland’s Kathy Dunderdale debuts at second place, while support
grows for David Alward, Greg Selinger and Darrell Dexter.
[VANCOUVER – Mar. 2, 2011] – Brad Wall has
become the most popular provincial head of
government in Canada, a new Vision Critical /
Angus Reid poll conducted with the Toronto Star
and La Presse has found.
The online survey of a representative national
sample of 6,482 Canadian adults asked
respondents in nine provinces about the
performance of their current premiers. Almost two
thirds of people in Saskatchewan (63%) approve
of the way Wall has handled his duties.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy
Dunderdale—who took office from Danny
Williams in early December—is second on the list
with 55 per cent, followed by New Brunswick
Premier David Alward with 42 per cent. Alward
has gained 10 points since an Angus Reid survey
conducted in November 2010.
KEY FINDINGS
 Best Approval Ratings: Wall (SK) 63%,
Dunderdale (NL) 55%, Alward (NB) 42%
 Worst Approval Ratings: Campbell (BC)
16%, McGuinty (ON) 16%, Charest (QC)
13%
Full topline results are at the end of this release.
From February 11 to February 18, 2011, Vision Critical / Angus
Reid conducted an online survey among 6,482 randomly
selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists.
The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is
+/- 1.2%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically
weighted according to the most current education, age, gender
and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of
the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or
between totals are due to rounding.
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger gets positive
reviews from one third of respondents in his province (34%, +6 since November). Nova Scotia's Darrell
Dexter has gained six points, and his approval rating is now at 26 per cent. There is virtually no
fluctuation in the bottom four, with Alberta's Ed Stelmach remaining at 21 per cent, Ontario's Dalton
McGuinty and British Columbia's Gordon Campbell at 16 per cent each, and Quebec's Jean Charest at 13
per cent.
Analysis
At least four Canadian provinces will hold elections this year, and the results are mixed for the current
heads of government that are seeking a fresh term. Wall has maintained high numbers throughout the
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications, 877-730-3570, mario.canseco@visioncritical.com
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 2 of 4
past year in Saskatchewan, and Dunderdale begins her tenure with the backing of a majority of
Newfoundlanders. Manitoba's Selinger has gained some points over the past quarter, while McGuinty
gets a positive review from one-in-six Ontarians.
Alward has markedly improved his standing in New Brunswick, and Dexter has improved in Nova Scotia.
The two departing western premiers—British Columbia's Campbell and Alberta's Stelmach—show no
movement. Campbell is expected to be replaced by new BC Liberals leader Christy Clark this month,
while the new Progressive Conservative Party leader in Alberta will be revealed in September.
Charest, for the second consecutive quarter, is at the bottom of the list. Two thirds of respondents
disapprove of the way he has handled his duties, and his approval rating has dropped by nine points in a
year.
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About Vision Critical®
Vision Critical is a global research and technology firm that creates software and services solutions for
over 600 clients, including one-in-four of the world’s top 100 brands. The company has offices across
North America, Europe and Australia as well as a Global Partner Program that provides other research
companies and consultants with access to top-of-the-line technology. Its Sparq™ product is the most
widely adopted community panel platform on the planet.
About the Vision Critical Public Affairs practice
The Vision Critical Public Affairs practice is headed by Dr. Angus Reid: an industry visionary who has spent
more than four decades asking questions to figure out what people feel, how they think and who they will
vote for. A team of talented and experienced practitioners with a unique and profound understanding of
global issues conducts high quality research throughout the world on a daily basis for corporations,
governments, academic researchers, and non-profit organizations.
- 30 For more information, please contact
our spokesperson listed in the footnote.
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications, 877-730-3570, mario.canseco@visioncritical.com
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 3 of 4
Provincial Governments
Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of each of the following people?
Approve
Disapprove
Not sure
Saskatchewan:
Premier and Saskatchewan Party
leader Brad Wall
63%
21%
16%
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Premier and Progressive Conservative Party
leader Kathy Dunderdale
55%
10%
35%
New Brunswick:
Premier and Progressive Conservative
Leader David Alward
42%
25%
33%
Manitoba:
Premier and New Democratic Party (NDP)
leader Greg Selinger
34%
38%
28%
Nova Scotia:
Premier and New Democratic Party (NDP)
leader Darrell Dexter
26%
54%
20%
Alberta:
Premier and Progressive Conservative
leader Ed Stelmach
21%
59%
21%
Ontario:
Premier and Liberal Party
leader Dalton McGuinty
16%
56%
28%
British Columbia:
Premier and BC Liberals
leader Gordon Campbell
16%
69%
14%
Quebec:
Premier and Liberal Party of Quebec
leader Jean Charest
13%
67%
20%
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications, 877-730-3570, mario.canseco@visioncritical.com
For Immediate Release
Canadian Public Opinion Poll
Page 4 of 4
Provincial Governments
Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of each of the following people?
February
2011
November
2010
February
2010
Saskatchewan:
Premier and Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall
63%
60%
56%
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Premier and Progressive Conservative Party leader Kathy
Dunderdale
55%
67% (**)
80% (**)
New Brunswick:
Premier and Progressive Conservative Leader David Alward
42%
32%
15% (*)
Manitoba:
Premier and New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Greg Selinger
34%
28%
27%
Nova Scotia:
Premier and New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Darrell Dexter
26%
20%
23%
Alberta:
Premier and Progressive Conservative leader Ed Stelmach
21%
21%
16%
Ontario:
Premier and Liberal Party leader Dalton McGuinty
16%
16%
21%
British Columbia:
Premier and BC Liberals leader Gordon Campbell
16%
16%
23%
Quebec:
Premier and Liberal Party of Quebec leader Jean Charest
13%
14%
22%
(*) Rating with Shawn Graham as Premier.
(**) Rating with Danny Williams as Premier.
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications, 877-730-3570, mario.canseco@visioncritical.com