TOP ISSUES ON THE PUBLIC AGENDA AND FEDERAL VOTING INTENTIONS

These data are statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional, age and sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population. With a sample of this size, the overall results are within 1772.5 percentage points (19 times out of 20) of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.

As Parliament returns this week, a new Angus Reid Group / CTV / Globe and Mail poll reveals that the key issue on the agenda for Canadians is Healthcare - with more than half (55%) indicating that the issue is the most important and should receive the greatest attention from Canada's leaders right now.

The Federal vote numbers remain relatively static for all parties from previous soundings. Taken just before the United Alternative Convention in Ottawa, it shows the Chretien Liberals leading among decided voters with 46 percent, followed by the Progressive Conservatives (15%) and Reform (12%) tied with the NDP 12 percent. The Bloc receive 37 percent in Quebec (which represents 9 percent nationally).

These are the findings of an Angus Reid Group poll conducted between, January 27th and February 2nd, 2000. The poll includes a randomly selected sample of 1,500 Canadian adults and has an associated margin of error of 177 2.5 percentage points 19 times out of 20.

Healthcare (55%) dwarfs Education (23%) and Taxes (19%) as runner up issues

Healthcare intensifies as the most important issue, with 55 percent saying it should receive the greatest attention from leaders today. Healthcare has jumped 17 percentage points since December and now dwarfs other agenda issues including Education/Schools (23%), Taxes/Tax Reform (19%), Jobs/Unemployment (15%), Poverty (15%) and National Unity/Quebec's future (11%).

• The Healthcare issue is most acute in Quebec (67%) and Saskatchewan / Manitoba (56%) followed by Alberta (54%). Healthcare also ranks first among those aged 55 and older (60%), those 34 to 54 (58%) and predominantly among women (60%).
• As the Federal government's Clarity Bill fades from the centre stage it held in mid-December, the issue of National Unity has dropped 20 percentage points with only 11 percent now indicating that it is the most important issue. It now ranks fifth out of all issues, with Education (23%) and Taxes/Tax Reform (19%) ahead, and with Jobs/Unemployment behind at 15 percent and Poverty at 15 percent.

Liberals hold decided voters (46%) with PC (15%) and Reform (12%) tied with the NDP (12%) for third.

The vote numbers remain relatively static for all. It shows the Liberals leading amongst decided voters with 55 percent, followed by the Progressive Conservative 15 percent and Reform and NDP both with12 percent of decided voter support. This snapshot of public opinion was taken before the recent United Alternative Convention in Ottawa.

• The Liberal Party is strongest among decided voters in Ontario (55%), followed by Quebec (46%) and the British Columbia (40%) and the Atlantic provinces (40%). They also hold half of the decided voters aged 35 to 54 (48%) and those aged 18 to 34 (47%). Women (47%) are also predominantly stronger supporters of the Liberal party.
• In addition, the Reform party's support is the same as mid December 1999 at 12 percent with stronger support from men (15%) and those aged 55 and older (14%). The Progressive Conservative Party has its strongest support in the Atlantic Provinces (32%), followed by Ontario (21%) and those aged 55 and older (17%).
• The NDP remain relatively unchanged from mid December at 12 percent (up 1 percentage point), though losing support in Alberta (down 3 percentage points) and Quebec (down 3 percentage points). Support for the NDP has increased primarily in British Columbia (up 6 percentage points), the Atlantic provinces (up 4 percentage points) Ontario (up 2 percentage points). They also have the majority of their support from the older-aged group (55+; 13%). The Bloc Quebecois have declined since mid December 2 percentage points with 9 percent in late January nationally. Support coming only from Quebec (37%) and primarily the younger (18-34 years, 11%).

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Darrell Bricker
President - Public Affairs
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900