

Chris Fox, CP24.com





The social media discussion surrounding the Ontario election has remained “overwhelmingly negative” throughout the campaign with the Liberals and Tories attracting the bulk of the criticism, according to an analysis by Ipsos-Reid.

The polling firm examined 4,500 election-related tweets between May 2nd and June 6 and determined that 48 per cent of them were negative compared to just 16 per cent positive and 34 per cent neutral.

The Tories dominated the discussion with 47 per cent of all 251,719 election-related tweets while the Liberals were the subject of 35 per cent and the NDP were discussed in 18 per cent.

Though Tim Hudak and the PC Party certainly generated the most buzz, it may not represent a groundswell of support for the party.

In fact the analysis found that 61 per cent of all tweets about the Tories were negative compared to 10 per cent positive and 29 per cent neutral.

The Liberals weren’t much better with 44 per cent of all tweets deemed negative compared to 18 per cent positive and 38 per cent neutral.

The NDP were the only party to have complimentary mentions outweigh negatives ones with 29 per cent of tweets deemed positive compared to 24 per cent negative.

“These results suggest a debate on Twitter that has been largely a negative reaction to events and news coverage in the finest tradition of ‘gotcha’ politics drowning out what little proactive or positive messaging there was,” the analysis states.

According to the analysis, criticism directed at the PC party has focused on Tim Hudak’s proposal to cut 100,000 public sector jobs as well as his ability to follow through on a promise to create one million jobs.

The Liberals, meanwhile, have come under fire for their involvement in the gas plants scandal and a controversial plan to purchase the new MaRS building, which was partly built with a $234-million loan from the province.

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