My Take on the Latest EKOS Poll

I usually don't take much stock in political opinion polls. They can easily be biased and manipulated. They don't really mean that much especially outside a writ period. None the less, they're still fun to look at.

The latest poll came out this morning from EKOS who does polling for the taxpayer funded CBC. EKOS tends to be liberal leaning so I usually don't pay much attention to them but I thought maybe this time I would take a closer look at this one.

CBC's headline says it all. This poll shows the Liberals numbers losing support, CPC edging upward, and the NDP more or less stagnant. The Liberals are probably not happy but then again they're never really happy unless they're in power.

Tories remain favourites in new poll

"The Conservative Party remains the political favourite and an increasing number of Canadians are happy with the country's direction, a new poll suggests." CBC


Anyway let's take a look the poll


HIGHLIGHTS
• National federal vote intention:
¤ 33.3% CPC
¤ 27.7% LPC
¤ 15.9% NDP
¤ 10.4% Green
¤ 9.8% BQ
¤ 2.3% other

• Direction of government:
¤ 47% right direction
¤
42% wrong direction ¤ 11% do not know/no response. Click image to enlarge



If you notice, we are competitive in the city of Toronto. EKOS politics Click image below to enlarge.
Also take note the last day of polling before the Liberal motion fiasco.-CBC ekos pdf.


Final day of polling (Mar 23rd) CPC: 35.4%, LPC: 25.9%, NDP: 16.7%, BQ: 10.4%, GPC: 9.1% (MoE of 4.56)


Click image to enlarge

To top it all, you have the Toronto Star, usually Liberal cheerleaders, have two negative pieces in today's paper. One from the biggest cheerleader from the Star, James Travers. That is not good news for the Libs when their most avid media supporters start to turn against them.

Seems like things aren't going too well for the Libs right now. With the fiasco the other day regarding the Libs defeating their own motion, they really need to get their act together. They are the gang who couldn't shoot straight. They can take their time doing it as far as I'm concerned.

Serial Killer, Clifford Olson Pension Update

There has been a development since this previous post about serial child killer, Clifford Olson receiving pension.

Minister Diane Finlay stated she was "disturbed" when she found out about this. The federal government has now decided to cut off his pension and others like him. Good news. I hope they can also collect retroactively the monies those inmates have previously received.

OTTAWA — The Conservative government is promising to cut off monthly old-age security payments to hundreds of federal prison inmates, including infamous serial killer Clifford Olson.
Greg Weston

I think inmates should also have their right to vote taken away too. IMHO you give up your rights when you are convicted of a crime and are incarcerated.

Child and Family Services Czar Takes the Fall

Alberta Child and Family Services CEO tendered his resignation yesterday amid controversy of a leak stating that there would be funding cuts to foster parents when Minister Yvonne Fritz said there would be none.

A high-ranking official with the Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services Authority has resigned.

It comes just two days after Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz was forced to apologize to foster parents, who were told at a meeting with CFS staff that their funding would be cut.

Fritz has said department staff were told just two weeks earlier there would be no cuts.

Fritz on Wednesday said Rick Semel, CEO of the Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services Authority has resigned.

"The CEO for Region 6 did tender his resignation today — and that was accepted," she said.

Fritz downplayed any concern the position will be tough to fill, considering recent controversies in the department.

"The normal process will be followed by the human resources department in posting that there's a new position available in the region for a CEO and that will take place in due course."

On Monday, the New Democrats released copies of a slideshow presentation that was shown to some Edmonton-area foster parents during a meeting late last week.

The meeting was hosted by the Edmonton Child and Family Services Authority.

The slides outlined a formula that would have capped funding for special needs children at $100 per day.

Funding would gradually be scaled back until it met the cap, according to the presentation material.

The cap was to be implemented April 1 — before it was reversed by the minister.

Fritz has stressed there will be no cuts. She said the budget has, in fact, been increased this year by $910,000.

Premier Ed Stelmach has been critical of the NDP for going public with the information, saying instead the discrepancy should have immediately been brought to the attention of the department. Edmonton Sun

Typical of the Ed Stelmach government. I think they have mastered Bungling 101. They go around like they don't quite know what they're doing half the time. It seems like they're making it up as they go. No wonder Albertans are disenchanted with this government.

Oh and even though I think the NDs are loons most of the time, don't blame them this time!

Mr. Semel takes the fall for the Minister. Nice. No direct accountability from her. Well, sorry, Minister Fritz, it is you who should resign not Mr. Semel. Children and Family Services is your department therefore you are responsible for whatever goes on there. The buck stops with you!

Another thing, Minister, did Mr. Semel resign on his own or was he forced to resign? Let us know, will ya?

Something in Quebec I Finally Agree With

There's almost nothing I agree on with Quebec but on this one I do. Quebec has just tabled a bill that requires ladies to show their faces when seeking government services.

MONTREAL—Muslim women will need to uncover their faces from now on if they want to deal with the Quebec government, according to landmark legislation tabled Wednesday in the province.

Megyn Kelly,Foxnews vs Toronto Columnist Re: Anne Coulter

Megyn Kelly from Foxnews takes on Susan G. Cole from Toronto Now tabloid magazine. Cole says Coulter got what she deserves. Megyn did a very good job challenging her earlier today.

Watch here