Threatened by surging support for Justin Trudeau, the NDP has tried to boost party morale by showing it’s a stronger rival against him than it was against previous Liberal leaders.
An internal party strategy note obtained by CTV’s Richard Madan compares how the NDP is faring against Trudeau versus Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff, at the height of their popularity.
The historical survey data, taken from three polling firms, is meant to put Trudeau’s support into a wider context and reassure New Democrats about the party’s current political fortunes.
The note shows that at the height of Dion’s popularity and that of the NDP, Dion led by 30 percentage points.
With Ignatieff, the NDP trailed by 22 percentage points. But against Trudeau, the difference is 11.
“It’s a morale booster, it’s a pick-me up, and of course the NDP wants to get their message out,” Madan told CTV’s Power Play.
The NDP could face a tough election campaign in two years, unless its younger MPs are able to boost their name recognition.
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair told his MPs to knock on 3,000 doors this summer.
“Many were just swept up in that orange wave in 2011,” said Madan. “This will be, for a lot of them, their first campaign where they’re actually campaigning.”
