Overwhelming

In case there was any doubt as to whether or not Canadians broadly support the NDP's priorities for the federal budget, it can now be put to rest. Here are the latest Ipsos Reid numbers on respondents' budget priorities:

Among highlights of the poll's findings:

- 92 per cent support expanding support for low-income seniors;

- 90 per cent support increased spending on health care;

- 84 per cent support expanding the Canada Pension Plan;

- 39 per cent support corporate tax cuts, while 58 per cent oppose them.

Now, I'd still think it's more likely than not that the Cons will try to provoke an election with their budget. But it may be awfully dangerous for them to do so by thumbing their nose at upwards of 90% of the electorate - meaning that the NDP's work to draw attention to issues with such broad public support may well be exactly what's needed to get some unexpected positive results out of a government which would never bother if left to its own devices.