Liberals ahead by 5 points with a ‘dead heat’ battle underway for key middle aged voters: Nanos

The Liberals are leading the Conservatives by five points on Day 26 of the 36-day federal election campaign, according to a new Nanos poll, while an analysis of voter preferences by age suggests a tight race for middle-aged voters.

Based on a three-day sample that ended April 16, support for the Liberals is 44 per cent and support for the Conservatives is 39 per cent nationally.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is in third place with 9 per cent, followed by the Bloc Québécois (6 per cent), the Green Party of Canada (2 per cent) and the People’s Party of Canada (1 per cent).

Regional support:
Support for the Liberals is highest in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, Quebec and British Columbia, while support for the Conservatives is highest in the Plains provinces.

In Ontario, which has the most seats, the Liberals' lead has now narrowed to 4 points, with 46 per cent to 42 per cent for the Conservatives. The NDP has also gained one point to 9 per cent.

After last night's Francophone leaders' debate, the Liberals remain in the lead in Quebec, with 47 per cent support, while the Conservatives have 21 per cent and the Bloc Québécois is in second place with 25 per cent.

In the Plains, the Conservatives remain in the lead with 59 per cent of the polls, while the Liberals have 27 per cent.

In British Columbia, the Conservatives have lost the lead they had a week ago, and now have 37 per cent support, while the Liberals have a 43 per cent lead.

In the Atlantic region, the Liberals remain in the lead, with 61 per cent of those surveyed supporting them, while the Conservatives have 29 per cent. The NDP is a distant second in this region by 7%.

Prime Ministerial preference:
As for which leader is preferred for prime minister, Mark Carney leads by 13 points, with 47 per cent of people choosing him, while Paulio is in second place with 34 per cent.

News source