Greens Move Ahead of the NDP in Quebec

MONTREAL -- The findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television from October 20 to 22, 2009, show a dramatic increase of 7 points in support for the Greens among all Quebecois compared to a poll conducted at the beginning of the month. "I think people are starting to see that the Green Party of Canada is a serious and viable political option", said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. “The last Ipsos-Reid poll shows that more and more people are embracing Green values, because the Green Party represents what the citizens of this country really want.”

The Bloc Québécois garnered the most support in Quebec with 42% (+2), with the Liberals dropping to 22% (-4), the Greens rebounding at 11% (+7) and the NDP falling to just 7% (-2).

"NDP supporters are probably very disenchanted with their leader and his backing of the Harper government", said Ms. May. "Jack Layton proved he was ready and willing to cast aside the core values of his party just to remain in the House. No one in Quebec was fooled when Layton backed the Harper government, especially not his supporters."

According to May, the Greens in Quebec benefited not only from the NDP's fallout, but also from the political game-playing between Conservatives and Liberals. “Canadians didn't want another election, but Michael Ignatieff was determined to bring down the government. The Liberal Leader refused to listen. This is payback. As for the Conservatives, the arrogance they showed in stamping their logo on cheques issued by the Government of Canada, not to mention their claim for special status to be granted to Canada by the international community so that they could continue exploiting the tar sands, certainly contributed to their drop in Quebec and the rest of Canada. It will take a lot more than a song to make us forget about the Conservatives' dismal environmental, social and economic record."

This latest Ipsos Reid poll suggests that the Greens have gained significant ground in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with a gain of 11 points, while the Conservatives and Liberals lost 7 and 5 points respectively. The Green Party stands shoulder to shoulder with the Liberals in this part of the country and ahead of the NDP by 1 point. Support for the Green Party is up all across the country--Atlantic Provinces (+2, at 6%), Ontario (+2, at 14%), Alberta (+2, at 8%) and British Columbia (+3, at 9%).

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Information:
Patrick Mahony
Communications Director for Quebec
Green Party of Canada            
514-677-6682
patrick.mahony@greenparty.ca