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Exactly what impact the Conservative attack ads have had on public opinion overall is difficult to measure. The poll found 39 per cent of Canadians have seen the 30-second spots on television.

Unveiled hours after Trudeau was named Liberal leader last month, the ads feature circus music and footage of Trudeau doing a mock striptease at a charity event, while a narrator questions his experience and ability to lead.

The poll indicates the Conservatives have been specifically targeting Atlantic Canada and Ontario, where half of respondents reported seeing the ads on television as compared to only about one-quarter through the rest of the provinces.

Atlantic Canada is considered the Liberals’ last stronghold, while Ontario remains the key battleground between the Grits and Tories.

Interestingly, among those who have seen the ads on television, 41 per cent said they intended to vote for the Liberals as compared to 32 per cent for the Conservatives and 21 per cent for the NDP.

Support numbers were much closer among those who have not seen the ads, with the Liberals and Conservatives split at 31 per cent and New Democrats at 27 per cent.

Wright says the numbers indicate the ads may have actually helped the Liberals by having a handful of New Democrats “switch their soft support from the NDP to soft support for Justin Trudeau.”

As part of the poll, all participants were shown the ad and asked their reactions.

Fifty-nine per cent said they “disliked” the ads after seeing them, as compared to 18 per cent who “liked” them.