Tim Hudak and Ontario PC Party enjoy seven point advantage

Tim Hudak’s Ontario PC Party continues to lead in the polls with the latest Nanos Poll giving his party a seven point advantage over Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals.

PHOTO CREDIT - Ontario PC Party

Cornwall - May. 25, 2011 - Tim Hudak’s Ontario PC Party continues to lead in the polls with the latest Nanos Poll giving his party a seven point advantage over Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals.

For the latest Nanos Ontario ballot, the Tories currently lead with 41% support, followed by the Grits at 34%, the NDP at 19% and the Greens at 5%. Of note, the NDP has been the only party significantly trending up lately, registering a six point increase since February 2011.

Nik Nanos had this to say about the latest poll, “The Ontario New Democrats' positive showing was also reflected in another measure of the Nanos poll. Asking Ontarians which of the party leaders would make the best Premier, Hudak led with 30.8%, followed by McGuinty with 25.3%. Although a distant third, NDP's Horwath was selected as the best Premier by 15.7% of the Ontarians surveyed , a six point increase from March 2011. “

On the top issue front, Nanos' latest Ontario poll showed that most Ontarians remained preoccupied with healthcare (34.1%) , followed by jobs/the economy (14.7%) and education (10.9%). Of note, gas prices as top issue of concern (currently 8.7%) has been on the rise since the past wave of research, registering a 3.6 point increase during that time.

South Glengarry Mayor Jim McDonnell has already won the Progressive Conservative nomination. Former Cornwall city councillor Mark MacDonald, retired St. Lawrence College Director Pat Finucan and Parliament Hill staffer Denis Sabourin have announced their intention to seek the Liberal nomination. The NDP and Green Party have yet to announce their nomination plans.

Ontarians go to the polls on Thursday October 6, 2011.