Canada Election 2011: Roundup of EKOS, Nanos and Angus Reid Polls

Three polls released, EKOS, Nanos and Angus Reid, all of which show very similar spreads. EKOS and Nanos show a 9% gap, AR a 11% gap. AR and EKOS both show a narrowing trend, relative to their last offerings, all show a relatively tight race in Ontario.

We are starting to get a clearer picture of the dynamics in play, although still some completely contradictory findings. On the latter point, I note that AR shows Ignatieff gaining traction, his approval rising a statistically significant 6% to a still modest 25%. Nanos shows a flatline number, even erosion, day to day, no sense of any direction. Of note here, Harris Decima earlier this week also showed a sizable 12% rise in Ignatieff’s favorables. In addition, AR also mirrors Harris Decima, in finding rising disapproval for Harper, lowering approval.

As far as clarity, somewhat consistent national results, general provincial themes. Since the start of the campaign, the huge gap has narrowed somewhat, if anyone has momentum it’s the Liberals. That said, the gap is still FORMIDABLE, so optimism also factors realism. For Liberals the trends are positive, chipping away was the only avenue, so in certain regards, so far, so good. Another commonality, in a general sense, it does appear that the Bloc is somewhat vulnerable in Quebec, most pollsters show mid to low 30’s now, EKOS comes in with a 28.3% finding (down a full 8%). I’d be cautious about EKOS, does seem a tad low, but maybe they are capturing a downward trend. Stepping back from individual findings, it does appear Bloc fatigue maybe real, although it remains to be seen if any other party can capitalize.

There was one striking result in the EKOS poll that deserves consideration. Graves finds a sharp spike on the wrong direction score for the government: