Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach takes questions during a scrum at the Alberta PC party's annual meeting in Red Deer.Jeff McIntosh
Not so long ago, it would have been unthinkable for Dalton McGuinty to rank near the bottom of the heap among Canada's premiers. After all, he became only the second Liberal premier in Ontario history in 2007 to win back-to-back majorities in 70 years.
But here he is, the second-worst rated Canadian premier, according to a poll by Angus Reid released yesterday. The poll offers no explanation, but Mr. McGuinty's government has been embroiled in controversy in recent months over the eHealth Ontario spending scandal and proposed harmonized sales taxes.
The dubious distinction of lowest rated premier goes to Ed Stelmach in Alberta, where recent public opinion polls show residents are increasingly unimpressed with both him and his party. Danny Williams, who reigns supreme in Newfoundland and Labrador, is at the top of the heap.
THE POLL
Angus Reid asked 7,000 adults in an online survey the following question: Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of each of the following people?(A = approve; D = disapprove; U = unsure)
|
Premier |
Province |
Party |
A |
D |
U |
|
Danny Williams |
Newfoundland |
Con. |
78 |
10 |
12 |
|
Brad Wall |
Saskatchewan |
Sask. Party |
58 |
29 |
13 |
|
Darrell Dexter |
Nova Scotia |
NDP |
43 |
32 |
25 |
|
Greg Selinger* |
Manitoba |
NDP |
29 |
22 |
50 |
|
Jean Charest |
Quebec |
Lib. |
25 |
52 |
23 |
|
Gordon Campbell |
B.C. |
Lib. |
21 |
66 |
14 |
|
Shawn Graham |
New Brunswick |
Lib. |
20 |
63 |
16 |
|
Dalton McGuinty |
Ontario |
Lib. |
18 |
56 |
26 |
|
Ed Stelmach |
Alberta |
Con. |
14 |
61 |
25 |
*Mr. Selinger took over from Gary Doer in October.
The poll does not include Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz.
The margin for error ranged from plus or minus 3.1 per cent in four provinces to plus or minus 4.9 per cent in Newfoundland.
Karen Howlett