ELECTION SURVEY 1998

The results presented here are taken from a telephone survey of 1001 Quebec residents, conducted between November 4 and November 9 1998.

These data are representative of the distribution of the Quebec population along all key demographic variables including Mother Tongue. As well, the distribution of the interviews across the province is representative of the geographic distribution of the population.

A sample of this size is said to be representative of the Quebec voting population +3,1%, 19 times out of 20.

All three leaders show positive approval ratings, but Bouchard leads Charest

Healthcare access a critical issue

Division on the government's role in the economy

APPROVAL RATING OF THE PARTY LEADERS

All three leaders remain close in terms of level of public approval, but Bouchard leads Charest by six points.

Interestingly, Mario Dumont tops the list in terms of public approval with 62%, followed by Lucien Bouchard at 60%, and Jean Charest at 54%. (Table 1)

ECONOMIC ISSUES

Quebecers are divided on the role the government should be playing in the Quebec economy but are leaning to lesser involvement

• When respondents were asked if the Quebec government should 171 continue to be directly involved in job creation 187 or should 171 reduce its intervention and leave a greater role to the private sector in job creation187, close to three-in-five respondents (59%) selected the first option, while 40% opted for the second. (Table 2)
• On the issue of education, only two-in-five (44%) agree with the statement that the 171 Quebec education system adequately prepares youth for the demands of the job market 187, while 54% disagree. (Table 3)
• Close to 7-in-10 agree that privatization of certain services or public entreprises is an efficient way of reducing public spending in Quebec (69% agree, 28% disagree). (Table 3)
• On the topic of economic growth, 64% agree that reducing the size of government would stimulate economic growth in Quebec (32% disagree). As well, 65% believe the sovereignty debate hurts economic growth in the province (34% disagree). (Table 3)
• Finally, close to seven in ten feel that meeting the zero deficit objective has increased the gap between rich and poor in Quйbec (69% agree, 29% disagree). (Table 3)

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES

• A majority of Quebeckers believe it is difficult to get timely access to healthcare services
• Close to two thirds of Quebeckers (65%) feel it is difficult to get access to health care services within a reasonable timeframe, while only 34% believe it is easy. (Table 4)
• Despite their concerns, Quebeckers remain optimistic about the future of the health care system.

  Close to one half of respondents (47%) believe the quality of health care services will improve over the coming years, regardless of who forms government. Two-in-five (41%) believe the quality of care will remain stable, while only 9% feel the situation will continue to deteriorate. (Table 5)

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Christian Bourque
Directeur Senior de la Recherche
Groupe Angus Reid
(514) 877-5550