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By SHELLY SANDERS GREER Special to the Beaver 11 three major political parties have the wrong people leading them into the Oct. 25th federal electlon according to an expert political pollster. "The Tories would have been better off with Jean Charest to deal with the Parti Québécois. For the Liberals, Chretien is a bad choice because of his position on Meech Lake which has cost him a lot of support in Quebec. The NDP leader is not popular at all and it‘s hard in this age of television to get around this fact," Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Canada Research and an expert in statistical analysis, told a Wednesday night meeting of The Canadian Club of Oakville. Pollster says parties picked wrong leaders "Leadership still influences public opinion," said Bozinoff. "In January 1993, there was a huge Liberal lead. e ‘93 MAZDA ‘1 IN A 1000 _â€"_ CLEAROUT _ "GPECTACULAR®" 5â€"Year/100,000 km Bumperâ€"toâ€"Bumper Extended Warranty _ EVENT In his discussion which focused on how public opinion is tracked during a federal election, Bozinoff pinpointed two key issues which are driving public opinion in this campaign _ jobs and the deficit. ‘"‘Economists are trying to say the recession is over," he said. "But Canadians measure the recession by the number of neighbours who can‘t find jobs. The Tories have just admitted jobs are a key issue, but they say nothing will be done until 2000. The Liberals underâ€" stand jobs are the issue, but they‘re offering the wrong solution. They want to spend more money to create jobs which will increase the deficit. Canadians are responding with a mixed message, saying jobs are the issue but Then the Prime Minister resigned and the Tories were boosted up. Therefore, leadership does still matter. "But it looks like all three major parâ€" ties have picked the wrong leaders," he explained. they want to decrease spending. "‘The deficit is the other issue but it is not as much of a concern as jobs," he explained. ‘"There is no personal being attached to it." The baggage carried around by the Tories is another factor influencing pubâ€" lic opinion, according to Bozinoff. "High taxes, the helicopter deal, and the GST are all affecting the public percepâ€" tion of the Tories," he said. Another problem faced by the Tories is that traditionally, the popularity of the party in power goes down as the elecâ€" tion progresses. "The party in power always has to defend itself which starts to look bad in the eyes of the voter. And history shows that very seldom does a government get reâ€"elected in a recesâ€" sion. *"*Low party identification is also a major problem facing the Tories," Bozinoff said. "In 1988, the PC identifiâ€" cation was at an allâ€"time high. Ebony and Ivory a perfect setting for ties that are floral, geometric and novelty designs Dest of all, buy an Ebony and Ivory suit or sports jacket and the He is on us, from our special coâ€" ordinating collection DOWNTOWN OAKVILLE 183 Lakeshore Rd. East 845â€"8911 Everything harmonizes effortlessly with black and white extending the range and versatility of your wardrobe Slip. on a suit or sport coat from our fall collection As casually sophisticated as jazz and cocktails Ebony Ivory recasts black and white classics bony Ivory. The style of cinema legends Bozinoff went on to explain the changes in the polls since the day the election was called. ‘"The Liberals startâ€" ed with a slight lead," he said. "The Tories had momentum the first week, which is good for a couple of points but not for a campaign. Now, these two parâ€" ties are tied, each with 35 per cent of the vote.â€"The Reform party is well on its way to being legitimized in the voters‘ eyes. The NDP is dragged down by so many issues that it has not taken off at all and has, in fact, fallen." Traditionally, there is a lower attachment to PC‘s and a stronger attachment to Liberals. Since 1988, all the baggage carried around by the Tories has taken its toll on people who identify themâ€" selves with the PC‘s." "Canadians need a reason for voting for any party," concluded Bozinoff. "‘The party that can answer this best will win the election." Or as crisp and smart as opera wear in a contemporary mode and creates he added beauty of Ebony Ivory? Though there are many hypothetical Open Thursday Friday till 9 p.m. meEeNn‘s § shors and strike a fashion note a clean, bold silhouette DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON 389 Brant St. 639â€"6165 reasons why polls should not be accuâ€" rate, Bozinoff said that they are and gave as an example the Charlottetown Accord. "These polls were frighteningly accurate within one point," he explained. "There is no evidence that polls influence voters," said Bozinoff. "But there is a major impact on parties. Polls set campaign strategy, and low poll results make fundâ€"raising difficult and they depress volunteers‘ spirits." As far as the current election is conâ€" cerned, Bozinoff said there are two upcoming events which will influence voters. "The advertising campaign will begin soon which will attack leadership skills," he explained, "and the debate will be the last chance to get votes. By the time the debate takes place, 85 per cent of the voters will have made up their minds which means there is not much left, but it‘s enough to win the election."