Here's my colleague Andrew Mayeda today on the latest Ipsos-Reid poll done exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global National:
The Conservatives now command 39 per cent in support among decided voters, compared with 28 per cent for the Liberals, according to the survey, conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global National by Ipsos Reid. Since the last Ipsos poll two months ago, the Tories have climbed five percentage points, while the Grits have slumped seven points.
On Friday in Whitehorse, I asked Harper what he and his party were doing to do what he has not been able to do three times as leader of his party: Win a majority government. He did not answer the question. (I asked what he was doing to boost his party's fortunes; he replied that no Canadian wants an election) Here's an edited version of the exchange:
AKIN: As we wrap up a week here (north of 60), I wonder if we might think a little more broadly about some of the political discussions that will happen this fall … It did have a bit of the flavour of an election-style swing at some of the stops and media opportunities. And I wonder, as some of your caucus members are speaking at barbeques this summer about the need for a majority Conservative government, I wonder if you could talk about what steps you and your party are taking to achieve that. You've had three cracks at the can against relatively weak and under-resourced opponents, two of them, of course, you were successful with a minority (but) how do you get over the top? What are you doing this fall to take your party to the promised land with a majority of MPs?
HARPER: Well, let me be very clear. In fact, I think you know what the answer to that question's going to be, David. I travel constantly. Have always travelled constantly, not just as Prime Minister, but as leader of my party, constantly across the country. I certainly have travelled during the summer and have always come up north during the summer for a week or so. Our focus is on governing this country. Our obvious focus, through this project and many others, is on getting this country successfully through the global recession. We know the global recession is impacting Canada. We're still doing relatively well compared to others. We think we're in a position to come out of this recession well. But I think the emphasis of all parties in the House of Commons should be working to ensure that we're working on the economy in the fall and that that's our focus. And I'll say over and over again, I have not met a single Canadian – a single real person out there — who's telling me that they think we should be fighting an election right now.
[Applause]
I encourage you to listen to it as it happened. This MP3 file is 3:45 and contains PMO Deputy Press Secretary Andrew MacDougall acknowledging me and Radio Canada Ottawa Bureau Chief Emmanuelle Latraverse as we each ask our somewhat related questions. Under the terms of engagement laid down by the PMO, no followup questions were permitted. The 14 or so reporters travelling with the Prime Minister were allotted three questions by the PMO — two in English and one in French. As is customary under such circumstances, the travelling reporters decided by consensus the broad lines of questioning and who the questioners ought to be.
Latraverse asked about the implications of the discord emanating from the Employment Insurance panel. Harper's response is largely conciliatory and diplomatic, noting that, at the end of the day, the government must do what is right for Canadians, but that he is expecting proposals to come from both sides and some sort of useful recommendation to evolve.