Coalition government worse for the economy, say Canadian CEOs

    From Canadian Business magazine

    TORONTO, Dec. 4 /CNW/ - With parliament prorogued until budget day on
Jan. 26, Canadian business leaders overwhelmingly believe a coalition
government headed by Liberal leader Stéphane Dion would be worse for the
economy than if Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper remained in office,
according to this week's web poll conducted by COMPAS for Canadian Business
magazine and canadianbusiness.com.
    The 142 CEOs surveyed believe Harper would outperform the proposed
coalition government consisting of the Liberal, NDP and Bloc Québécois parties
on a host of economic issues, including access to lending and access to the
U.S. market for exports.

    Who's the best leader?

    Of the business leaders polled 70% had the most confidence in Stephen
Harper. To find out how other leaders ranked and to get more details on what
CEOs think about a possible coalition government, go to:
www.canadianbusiness.com/managing/ceo-poll

    What impact would the coalition have?

    Slightly more than 60% of the CEOs said our standard of living would be
worse under a coalition government. Find out what they thought the effects
would be on inflation, the economy and other issues at:
www.canadianbusiness.com/managing/ceo-poll

    Up-to-the-minute surveys on today's issues

    Every week, the Canadian Business magazine's CEO/Business Leader Poll
asks small and medium-size business executives tough questions on issues that
affect all Canadian business people. Undertaken weekly by COMPAS on behalf of
Canadian Business magazine, the poll results appear in print and weekly at
www.canadianbusiness.com/managing/ceo-poll.

    Some questions asked in recent CEO Polls:

    When should investors be getting back into the stock market game? Is
Barack Obama the best leader for the U.S.? What about global warming and the
carbon tax? Did the Bank of Canada do the right thing in slashing interest
rates? Is service quality at large companies deteriorating?

    All these results are available in our CEO Poll archives on the Canadian
Business web site.

    About Canadian Business magazine:

    Founded in 1928, Canadian Business is the longest-serving, best-selling
and most trusted business publication in Canada. Canadian Business stands
alone as the business magazine in Canada with 100% paid circulation. With a
readership of more that one million, the magazine is published every second
Monday, except in January, July and August, when monthly issues are published.
Special annual issues of Canadian Business include the Investor 500, the MBA
Guide, the Rich 100 and the Best and Worst Boards. Visit
www.canadianbusiness.com.