We're in an election campaign, so naturally we're surrounded by polls.

But a new election poll from Ipsos Public Affairs goes deeper than the typical "how would you vote" question.

It reveals a deep vein of frustration and a sense of being cheated, that I couldn't stop thinking about.

The poll will be discussed in Kitchener on Thursday by Ipsos vice-president, Sean Simpson. Here are some highlights:

• Almost three-quarters of Ontarians agree that the economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful.

• Almost two-thirds of Ontarians say it is hard for them to get ahead.

• Sixty-eight per cent express frustration with not being cared about by traditional political parties.

• Two-thirds think the mainstream media care more about making money than telling the truth.

And — here's the punch to the gut — "To combat these feelings, Ontarians want a strong leader who can take the country back from the rich and powerful (81%) and a leader who is willing to break the rules (53%), says the report, prepared for Global News.

No wonder the Conservatives, led by loud-mouthed blunderbuss Doug Ford, are so far ahead in every part of Ontario except the cities of Toronto and Ottawa.

Ontario's economy may be strong with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, at 5.6 per cent. But not everyone sees it that way.

"There's a frustration that things aren't as good as they were 10 years ago," said Simpson.

"A lot of people think things are changing too quickly and they're being left behind," especially in the area of technological change.

If people are comfortable with technology, they're much more optimistic about the economy. But four in 10 Ontarians have a pessimistic view, says the poll of 1,197 Ontario voters, which was conducted between May 4 and 7 online and by telephone.

Liberal voters are much more likely than Conservative and New Democratic Party supporters to have an optimistic view of the economy.

"As such, it's likely that economic pessimism is driving some voters away from the Liberals," says the Ipsos report.

Three out of four Ontarians said it's time for a change in leadership at Queen's Park. Half want a minority government and half a majority government. Only 13 per cent want a return to a majority Liberal government.

There is a profound unhappiness about the leaders as well.

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Asked which leader is best able to deal with traffic gridlock, half said "none of the above," while individual leaders scored much lower (Wynne, who has made public transit a signature priority, received the lowest score with 11 per cent).

Asked which leader was "someone you can trust," 12 per cent chose Wynne, 16 per cent chose Ford, 30 per cent chose Horwath — and 42 per cent chose "None of the above."

Indeed, three out of four wish there were different party leaders to choose from.

Simpson will give a talk at a lunch on Thursday, hosted by the Confederation Club. Non-members are welcome.

If you want to attend, register by Monday on the club's website at www.confederationclub.ca/

ldamato@therecord.com,

Twitter: @DamatoRecord

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