OTTAWA, Ont. - While some may believe the growth of orange across Canada may only be attributed to a smiling Jack Layton and a slumping Liberal party, a new poll conducted for 680News and Maclean's Magazine shows there are greater reasons for the surge in numbers.
According to the extremely detailed survey, the rapidly-increasing support for the NDP is the sign of a country-wide political culture shift.
"The NDP is not a flash in the pan. They've dramatically improved their overall brand position," said managing director of innovative research, Greg Lyle, who explained that it is more about getting behind the values of the New Democrats than a dislike of the other parties.
"They're up on protecting the middle class. They're up 14 points on understanding the needs of people in Quebec, and they're up six points in the rest of Canada," he told 680News. "And on maintaining a higher ethical standard, they're up 14 points in Quebec and they're up seven points in the rest of Canada. There's no doubt that there's been a shift in the underlying dimensions."
Leader Jack Layton came out of the survey with flying colours, as he is seen as the best leader by far. Respondents said they feel Layton and his party care about the needs of Canadians, and are the best option to protect the middle class.
"In the past, the Tories have gone after those voters with things like the GST cuts, but this time it looks like Layton is doing a better job of connecting with them," Lyle said. "They have not just got a sense of momentum, they've created an image of fighting for the little guy, and having a plan to do it."
However, Lyle pointed out that the NDP needs to win more seats to keep this momentum going, and its biggest challenge over the next three days will be to get NDP supporters to the polls.
Meanwhile, earlier today, senior Conservative party insiders told the
Toronto Star that they don't have the numbers they need in Ontario for a majority government.
Internal polling indicated the numbers in Ontario are not great enough to put the Harper government over the top, showing they need 23 more seats in Ontario to get there.
The last minute push for help is underway. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is set to publicly endorse Stephen Harper at a Conservative rally in Brampton, Ont., Friday. It will be Ford's first wade into the federal arena.
The National Post has also officially endorsed Harper, calling the Tories the "clear choice in uncertain times."
Meanwhile, with just a few days to go, both Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff are fighting for seats, trying to beat back NDP Leader Jack Layton, crisscrossing the border between Ontario and Quebec.
Mr. Harper is taking his campaign from Montreal to the 905 belt: Brampton and Ajax - where he hopes to win over seats held by the Liberals.
Michael Ignatieff kicks off this day in Val d'Or, Que., before travelling to Ontario for events in London and Kitchener.
And Jack Layton will be basking in British Columbia sunshine, where polls have NDP support rising. The NDP Leader will be working a pair of Conservative-held ridings.