One reason the Conservatives are down in the polls is that they are starting to tank in Quebec. Saying that they will "get tough on crime" and "cut government waste of subsidizing cultural programs" really speaks to their right wing base in the west of the country, but has alienated their supporters in Quebec. In Quebec, the Conservatives are the protest choice - if you don't want to vote for the separatists nor the corrupt Liberals then you vote Conservative, even if you don't agree with them 100%. But now a lot of those protest voters are being turned off by recent events and will now vote for the Bloc. The Bloc have stopped talking separation and Duceppe is only talking about making Quebec stronger.
BTW - It's not that Quebec is "pro-crime" which I have seen on some political blogs. They simply believe that detention centres with round-the-clock counselors is more likely to turn around a 14 year olds life than jail will.
I'm not saying I agree with either side.. I'm just saying that what sells in one part of the country may not sell in another part of the country. So Harper has to keep that balancing act in check.
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