Health care continues to be the number one issue concerning Ontarians, according to a new election poll.
However, more people are growing increasingly concerned with the economic well-being of the province and its inhabitants.
While health care was chosen as the most concerning issue in Ontario by 28.9 per cent of the survey's respondents, more than 35 per cent of people chose issues that directly impact public wealth.
The poll, conducted by Nanos Research on behalf of CP24, CTV and the Globe and Mail, shows that 21 per cent of voters list the economy and jobs as their top concern.
High taxes was listed as a top concern for 10.5 per cent of the survey's respondents, followed by the environment (4.5 per cent), debt/deficit (4.3 per cent) and gas prices (1.1 per cent.)
It is worth noting that the survey of 1,000 people was taken this past week as markets around the world tumbled over worries about the global economy.
Nanos Research compared the survey's findings with a similar poll conducted in May.
Though health care was also voted the top issue this past spring, fewer people listed it as their top concern this time around. Back in May, 34.1 per cent of those asked had chosen health care as a key issue.
More people said they were worried about the province's economic health this time around. In May, less than 15 per cent of people listed the economy and jobs as their top concern.
However, people seem less concerned about gas prices. Back in May, gas prices was the top issue for 8.7 per cent of respondents.
Trust on issues
The survey also asked, "Which of the provincial leaders do you trust the most to manage the following issues?"
Respondents were given six issues: Health care, economy, taxes, education, environment and electricity costs.
The poll shows that voters have the most confidence in Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty, though not by much. In fact, when it comes to the issues of economy, taxes and electricity costs, McGuinty is statistically tied with Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath trails both leaders by more than 10 per cent on all issues except for the environment where she trails by about seven per cent.
However, it is also noted in the survey that one in four Ontarians say they do not trust any of the provincial leaders on any of the issues listed and are unsure of who they do trust.
One thousand Ontarians over the age of 18 were chosen at random to answer these questions through a telephone survey between August 10 and August 13. This poll is considered accurate 19 times out of 20 with a margin of error plus or minus 3.1 per cent.
Close race
The voters' pick for top provincial issue is the latest information to come out of the lengthy Nanos survey. The first part of the poll was released Sunday night but more information is expected to be released later today and tomorrow.
Yesterday, the poll released a new picture of how the race is shaping up ahead of the October 6 provincial election.
The Ontario Liberals continue to trail the Progressive Conservatives by about five points, though the Grits appear to be quickly closing the gap between the two parties.
More than 42 per cent (42.1) of the survey's respondents chose the PC as the party they would vote for compared to 37.6 per cent of those who said the Liberals were their first choice.
The Nanos poll conducted in May showed the Grits trailing by about 9 points.
The NDP and the Green Party garnered 16.2 per cent of the vote and 3.4 per cent of the vote respectively.
Nearly 17 per cent (16.9) say they haven't decided who they will vote for.
This section of the poll is considered accurate 19 times out of 20 with a margin of error plus or minus 3.4 per cent.
Though the Liberals have seemingly gained support from the electorate over the summer, the PCs and the NDP appear to have lost some momentum. The May Nanos poll showed the Tories with the same amount of support. The NDP's popularity declined by about 2.5 per cent since May, to the same level of support they had in the last provincial election in 2007.
Toronto's party
The survey shows the Liberals continue to have a strong hold in Toronto, an area where they currently hold all 14 seats.
However, the Liberals could be in trouble in the Scarborough and Etobicoke areas.
Those neighbourhoods, located at the edge of the city, turned mostly Conservative in the federal election this past spring. Voters in those ridings also supported the right-leaning Toronto Mayor Rob Ford during last winter's municipal election.
Currently, the PCs hold 5 seats in the Greater Toronto Area while the NDP have four seats. The Liberals hold the remainder of the 43 seats.
