Article content continued

“I think the Liberals did have a very clear movement back to earth, but that occurred in the winter and spring,” said Graves, noting that the latest poll shows results that are similar to polling the firm conducted in June.

The Liberal government’s controversial tax reforms — criticized by opposition parties as well as many doctors, farmers and small business owners — don’t appear to be having a significant impact among Liberal or potential Liberal voters, he added.

Consultations on the proposed changes, which began in July, wrapped up late Monday.

“Some have speculated they’re really taking it on the chin because of the (Finance Minister Bill) Morneau proposals, whereas — if that’s the case — how do you explain they’re basically at the same place they were before those proposals were introduced?”

In the months ahead, Graves predicted the Liberals would be eyeing the NDP’s numbers closely, particularly given the risk that they’re losing the support of so-called “progressive” voters after abandoning their electoral reform promise and approving the Trans Mountain pipeline.

That may help explain the political motives behind the tax measures, which are aimed at tightening “unfair” loopholes for private corporations that the government says have enabled many wealthy Canadians to pay less than their fair share of taxes.

Such measures resonate with supporters of the New Democrats and their charismatic new leader, Jagmeet Singh, who cruised to a definitive first-ballot victory Sunday in the NDP leadership race. It’s too early to predict what his impact will be, Graves said.