Thursday, September 16, 2010

Two landslides and one close race

Earlier this month, Corporate Research Associates released new polls for Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. So, to go along with these polls I put together some projection models for these three Atlantic provinces.

As a point of reference, the last set of CRA polls for these provinces were taken in May 2010.

We'll start with Newfoundland & Labrador, where Danny Williams continues to reign supreme.Since that last poll, the Progressive Conservatives are up one point to a staggering 76%. The Liberals are, oh, 59 points behind at 17%. However, they are up one. The NDP is down one to 7%.

Danny Williams is considered the best man to be Premier by 77% of Newfoundlanders & Labradorians (up two). Yvonne Jones of the Liberals garners 11% (unchanged) while Lorraine Michael of the NDP is at 6% (up two).

With this poll, the Progressive Conservatives would win 47 seats - all but one, which goes to the NDP. Ms. Michael's seat is safe enough, even with these numbers.

On to Prince Edward Island, where the Ghizzes rule.

Here, the Liberals are at 61%, unchanged from May. The Progressive Conservatives are up three points to 30%, while the Island New Democrats are down two to 6%. The Greens are down one to 2%.Robert Ghiz, Premier of the province, is considered the best man for the job by 45% (down two). The next PC leader (there isn't one now) got 17%, up one. Good for him or her! James Rodd of the Island New Democrats was at 4% while Sharon Labchuk was at 2%, each down one.

In terms of seats, the Liberals stand to win all 27.

Finally, Nova Scotia. Unlike the other two, there is a real race in the province. Darrell Dexter of the New Democrats has had a rocky time since he became premier in 2009, and it appears that he is still struggling - at least a little.But things haven't changed much since May. The New Democrats and Liberals are still at 37% and 35%, respectively. The Progressive Conservatives have dropped three points and are now at 21%.

The Greens are up three to 7%.

Despite his lead in the polls, Dexter doesn't lead the Best Premier numbers. Instead, Stephen McNeil of the Liberals is in front with 31%, up two. Dexter is at 27%, up three. The PCs are hurt by the fact that they don't have a leader, but nevertheless 16% (down two) think the next PC leader will be the best man for the job. Ryan Watson of the Greens is at 5%, up three.

Now this is where it gets interesting. With these close numbers, I project that the New Democrats would form a minority government with 25 seats. The Liberals would win 21 and the Progressive Conservatives would win six.

So, that brings us up to date in Atlantic Canada. Now we just need to see whether the second Liberal or second Progressive Conservative government will be elected in the region by New Brunswickers.