Stephen Harper seen as better than Rachel Notley for Alberta, poll suggests

Most Albertansbelieve Stephen Harper is a better defender of Alberta's interests than PremierRachelNotley, according toa new poll, amid increasing pessimismabout the province'seconomy.

Fifty per cent of Albertansgive the nod to the federalConservative leader on that question, compared to 33 per cent who favourNotley, the leader of Alberta's New Democrats,according to a poll conducted byMainstreetResearch.

Residents are split about the jobNotley is doing as premier, with42 per cent saying they disapprove and45 per cent saying they approve down from 62per cent approval in May.

"Recent economicfactors, primarily a continued slide in oil prices, are likely a factor in the increased disapproval,"saidQuito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Research.

"How the Notley government responds to this newchallenge will be the first big test of her government. So far, Albertans are waiting to see the specifics ofher plan which will be unveiled in the fall budget," headded.

Despite the economic woes,almost half of Albertans47 per centstill support the NDP government's plan to review energy royalties.

Economic gloom

The poll alsoshowed a sharp drop in optimism among Albertans both for the province and people's own households.

Only 21 per centofAlbertansare optimistic about Alberta's economy, down20 percentage points from May.Forty per centareoptimistic about their family's financial future, a 12 percentage point drop.

When asked whose economic policies they favoured, 50 per cent of Albertans sided with Harper, while 36 per cent favouredthe policies of Notley's NDP government.

Of those surveyed, 38 per cent said the government shouldcut spending levels toavoid increasingthe provincial deficit, while 26 per cent want tomaintain or increase spending levels to protect public services. Only10 per cent support raising taxes and other revenue sources.

The poll also shows a regional divide in support for the two leaders.

"Premier Notley fares best in, no surprise, Edmonton(48per centNotley, 36 per centHarper) where Stephen Harper fares worst. Meanwhile, Harper receives his highest score... from Calgary (59per cent)," Maggi said.

The poll surveyed3,075 people andhas a margin of error of +/-1.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.