On clear preferences

At least a few pundits have theorized that the NDP might get pushed into a merger due to the desire of Quebec voters to see greater cooperation among parties opposing the Cons, as evidenced by their support for past coalitions and other short-term cooperative efforts (which looks to have worked in the NDP's favour). But lest anybody think that logic might extend to a merger, let's put any doubt to rest:

The poll of just over 1,000 respondents — conducted over the Labour Day weekend — found that 63 per cent opposed a merger and just 24 per cent supported the idea, a trend that covered income, age and gender groups across Canada's regions.
...
And in Quebec — the new home to 59 of the NDP's 102 MPs in the House of Commons — 65 per cent of the poll respondents opposed a merger with just 23 per cent in favour.

In other words, Quebec voters - including the ones who handed the NDP its landslide victory in that province - are no more likely than Canadians anywhere else to think that a merger is worth discussing. And that reality should eliminate any argument that the NDP has the slightest reason to pursue a flawed strategy for the sake of holding onto its recent gains.