Article content continued

But there’s still an awful lot we don’t know, especially about Trudeau. I don’t, anyway.

Read more . . .

[/np_storybar]

The Liberals have swept past the Conservatives in popularity, according to a new poll, with Canadians now clearly preferring a Grit government — even without Justin Trudeau as leader.

But with the long-expected coronation of Trudeau now less than 10-days away, the Forum Poll for the National Post finds the Liberals would win a clear majority with the Montreal MP as its figurehead.

The numbers show 33% of respondents would vote for the Liberal Party under outgoing leader Bob Rae, compared to 29% for Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. The Official Opposition NDP garners 25% support, while the Greens trail far behind at 6%.

While those figures would lead to an election that’s too close to call, the results change significantly when respondents are asked to picture Trudeau as the leader of the Liberals. Under such a (virtually certain) scenario, the Liberals win 40% support to the Conservatives 28%.

Even more troubling for Harper are key numbers showing the shaggy-haired son of Pierre Trudeau winning his core support from older Canadians, with the Liberals taking 45% of the 55-64 vote and 47% of the 65+ vote under his leadership.

The poll also found the Prime Minister’s personal popularity is anemic, with Harper measuring a dismal -30 favourable rating (approval rating minus disapproval.)

Rae meanwhile, will leave the Liberal leadership as the most popular leader in the country with a +12 favourable rating while Mulcair continues to find it hard to fill Jack Layton’s shoes and sits with a +2 rating.