EKOS

EKOS
The Quebec Situation: Serious Problems for Mr. Bouchard as sovereignty Movement Dormant

In addition to faltering support for the BQ, there is considerable evidence of serious difficulties for the PQ. Overall support for the broad direction of the provincial government has fallen precipitously from a majority of 57% in January to 37% in October 1999.

More distressing for the PQ, as support for their broad direction has fallen, support for the broad direction of the federal government has remained relatively high and stable at 59% for right direction vs. 33% for the wrong direction (virtually unchanged in the past year). The PQ's problems are linked to continued commitment to a new referendum in the face of clear majority opposition to such a venture. Their difficulties are confounded by unusually high levels of taxes fatigue in Quebec and continuing problems encountered in negotiating collective agreements with public sector unions.

The longer term tacking of preferred political status for Quebec underlines the depth of the problems facing the sovereingty movement. In a forced choice between complete independence and the status quo only 27% choose independence.

Moreover, even a new referendum on the softer offer of an economic partenership asked in 1995 generated 62% "NO" after factoring in the undecided voters.

All in all, the current political landscape looks very rosy for the current federal government. In Quebec, the balance of favour for federalist and sovereigntist forces has significantly shifted and there is scant evidence that Mr. Bouchard has had success in producing the elusive "winning conditions" for a third referendum.

http://www.ekos.com/press/15oct99/sld001.htm

Gestion de crise
LeDevoir, 18.10.99
Un sondage publié dans The Gazette vendredi affirme que 63 % des Québécois préféreraient rester au Canada plutôt que de voter en faveur de la souveraineté. Plus de la moitié des répondants pensent d'ailleurs que le gouvernement est sur la mauvaise route dans sa gestion des affaires de l'État en ce moment. M. Bouchard manquera-t-il de temps pour renverser la tendance? Tout est dans la crise... et sa résolution!