Canadian Conservatives lead in poll

OTTAWA, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- With a federal election call imminent in Canada, the governing minority Conservative party is leading in a Globe and Mail-CTV News poll.

The telephone poll of 1,000 eligible voters nationwide taken Aug. 25-31 found 37 percent for the Conservatives, 29 percent for Liberals, 17 percent for the socialist New Democratic Party and 9 percent for the Green Party, the Globe said Tuesday.

The balance of the opinions were for independents or the separatist Bloc Quebecois party, which also sits in opposition in Parliament.

The percentage for the Conservatives suggests Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government could win a majority in the 308-seat Parliament, the report said.

In recent weeks, Harper has voiced frustration with his chief rival, Liberal leader Stephane Dion, and last week made political moves strongly suggesting he will call an election this week to take place in mid-October, a year before the mandated date.

Pollster Peter Donolo told the newspaper the Conservatives were chosen by 38 percent of voters as the best able to manage the economy in the event of a downturn.