Race tightens in Manitoba election as PCs gain more support: poll
The race for the upcoming Manitoba provincial election is starting to tighten, according to a new poll.
On Tuesday, Probe Research released results from a survey commissioned by the Winnipeg Free Press, which found that while the Manitoba New Democrats are still in the lead, the Progressive Conservatives are starting to narrow the gap.
The poll, which surveyed 1,000 adults in Manitoba from March 8 to 20, determined the NDP would receive support from 44 per cent of decided voters if an election was held tomorrow. The PCs would receive support from 38 per cent.
Though a gap of six percentage points remains, it is down from 11 points in December.
"We're starting to look at this and wonder whether this is tightening up and things are becoming more competitive," said Scott MacKay, president of Probe Research. "This is one poll, we want to see more than one of these to make conclusions about whether or not this is a trend."
The uptick for the PCs comes following the release of its pre-election budget which saw widespread spending across all government departments. MacKay said this could be one reason for the narrowing gap.
"A budget really is a time when the government has a lot of control over the agenda," he said. "This is possibly one reason why those numbers are becoming a little bit more competitive."
Support for the Liberal Party has also decreased for the second quarter in a row, and now sits at nine per cent of decided voters. MacKay said, in his recent memory, he has not seen support for the Liberals dip into single digits.
"Maybe this is a blip," MacKay said. "We think it has something to do with the brand of Liberals and the federal Liberals who are also declining in the polls."
Whatever the reason, he said the dip in Liberal support could have an impact on the upcoming election.
"What we do know is that when liberals become disaffected in Manitoba, provincial liberals, they tend to go in droves to the NDP," he said.
Seventeen per cent of those surveyed said they are undecided, won’t vote, or prefer not to say which party they prefer.
In Winnipeg specifically, the gap in support between the NDP and PCs has closed slightly; however, the NDP still has a substantial lead.
In December, 55 per cent of decided voters said they’d support the NDP if the election was tomorrow, with that number dipping to 53 per cent in March. The PCs had 27 per cent of support in Winnipeg back in December, with that number increasing to 30 per cent by March.
Ten per cent of decided Winnipeg voters said they favour the Liberals.
Outside of Winnipeg, the numbers are reversed – 52 per cent of decided voters support the PCs and 31 per cent support the NDP. The Liberals have the support of eight per cent of non-Winnipeg voters.
This survey has a margin of error of plus-minus 3.1 percentage points. The margin of error is higher within the population subgroups.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.