5/2/2003 4:17:52 PM

K. Dran

Ontario’s Liberal Party is 19%

Ahead in Current Polls

Just months prior to an expected provincial election, an opinion poll that was released earlier today indicates that Ontario’s opposition party; the Liberals opened up a 19 point lead over the currently governing Tories. The survey which was conducted last month showed support for the Liberals under Dalton McGuinty at 50%, and Premier Ernie Eves was supported by 31% of the decided respondents.

The data suggests the popularity gap between the two contenders narrowed during 2002 but has increased over the past three months to about the same level as when Eves took over the government in April of the year 2002.

The New Democratic Party under the leadership of Howard Hampton, enjoyed the backing of 16% of decided voters, which is down two points from January but two points higher than April 2002, stated the poll.

The telephone survey of approximately 1,000 voting age people in the province is said to be accurate within 3.1 percentage points about 19 times out of a possible 20. The Liberals have been ahead since March 2000, and their lead appears to be on the rise. The poll was conducted just weeks after the release of the budget outside of the legislature, a break with tradition for which Eves was harshly criticized. It also came as the SARS outbreak took hold in Toronto, prompting criticism that Eves had failed to show political leadership in dealing with it.

Premier Ernie Eves has until June 2004 to call an election but he is widely expected to do so within the coming months.