Approval ratings highlight regional, linguistic divide

A Gallup survey conducted Nov 8-13 found that Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien's disapproval rating increased from 22% to 30% between October and November. The higher disapproval rate resulted from the narrow defeat of the referendum that would have granted sovereignty to Quebec province. Fifty-nine percent of Quebecers disapproved of Chretien in November, compared to 37% in October. Fifty-six percent of Quebecers voiced support of sovereignist leader Lucien Bouchard, while only 23% of all Canadians support the leader. Only 30% of Canadians like Preston Manning's performance as Reform Party leader.