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[np-related]

The NDP would capture 138 seats in the 308-seat parliament, up from the 103 they currently hold. The Conservatives, who won a majority government last election with 166 seats, would be reduced to 123 seats. The Liberals would take 42 seats, a poor showing but still considerably better than the 34 they took in the last election, the poll suggests.

“A lot of what we see and hear about these days is the ‘1%’ versus the ‘99%’ and this poll is a perfect reflection of that,” Mr. Bozinoff said.

“I think this suggests a longterm trend and the Conservatives are at the wrong end of that long-term trend.”

Conservative support was highest in Alberta and lowest in Quebec. The Liberals’ support was highest in households with incomes above $100,000.

Tom Mulcair, the NDP leader, also captured the highest approval rating among national party leaders, with 41% of those polled giving him a positive rating. Stephen Harper, the Conservative prime minister, was given a nod of approval by 33%, the same as Liberal leader Bob Rae.

By far the most polarizing leader was Mr. Harper. When the number of respondents who disapproved was subtracted from those who approved, Mr. Harper’s net approval rating stood at a gaping -26, compared to -5 for Mr. Rae and +10 for Mr. Mulcair.

Electoral politics was not the only subject probed in the poll. Canadians were also asked about former media baron Conrad Black’s citizenship, impressions of an income gap and the foreign exchange rate of the Canadian dollar.