International Fund for Animal Welfare

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 10, 2008) - The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) today released results of an opinion poll conducted by Environics Research Group in the high-profile Toronto riding of Parkdale-High Park. The poll shows NDP incumbent Peggy Nash leading Liberal candidate Gerard Kennedy. A clear majority of voters in this riding also opposes Canada's commercial seal hunt.

Among decided voters, Nash leads the electoral race with 46% support, compared to 35% for Kennedy. However, the race is not yet over, with 32% of decided voters indicating they might still change their minds before Election Day.

Among those who felt they might change their minds, 27% said they would choose Nash as their second pick; an equal number would choose Kennedy.

There is clear opposition to Canada's commercial seal hunt among local voters. While 60% of those expressing an opinion are opposed to the hunt, over 70% are opposed to the use of their tax dollars to subsidize it. Seventeen percent of respondents said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who opposes Canada's commercial seal hunt whereas nine percent said they would be less likely.

"While Peggy Nash is in the lead, the race in Parkdale-High Park is far from over and, in a close race, the issue of the seal hunt could be a deciding factor," said Sheryl Fink, a senior researcher with IFAW. Fink added, "We are working to ensure that the next MP for Parkdale-High Park represents the views of the majority of constituents, who are opposed to Canada's commercial seal hunt."

The riding-wide poll sampled 400 eligible voters between October 3 and 6, 2008. The results of a survey of this size can be considered accurate to within plus or minus 5.0 percent, 19 times out of 20.