PCs' pollster asking about charter schools, paying for health care

A poll conducted by the Progressive Conservative's pollster — obtained by QP Briefing — is asking Ontarians whether they think there should be more "choice" in education and if they should be able to pay for health care "to get better service."

The poll asks dozens of questions on voter priorities, how well each party leader performed on those priorities during the election, how Ontarians voted (and if they didn't, why not), and more.

The poll was conducted by Campaign Research, which has done polling for PC Caucus Services in recent years. It's partially owned by Nick Kouvalis who provide polling and advice to the Ford campaign. QP Briefing reached out to both Kouvalis and the PC Caucus Services, but neither provided an immediate response. A spokesperson for the premier's office said the poll was not conducted on behalf of the government.

The survey asked Ontarians to say whether they agree or disagree with several statements, including "I should be able to pay for my own health-care to get better service in Ontario" and "the government of Ontario should allow for more choice in education, such as private and/or charter schools."

A December 2021 poll by Ipsos indicated that just over half of Ontarians think the government should allow more access to private health care, so long as medically-required care remains public.

On the heels of an incredibly low turnout election, the poll also asks whether Ontarians found the election campaign "exciting," "boring," or if they paid it any mind.

It also asked how important it is to Ontarians that the next government manage the pandemic to "reduce overall deaths" and for respondent's opinions on which politician would best "ensure that people and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can survive."

Respondents were then asked to compare how PC Leader Doug Ford, former NDP leader Andrea Horwath, and former Liberal leader Steven Del Duca fared on the issues during the campaign — and to rate their overall performance as a party leader.

Kouvalis was also a lobbyist in 2020 and 2021. His company, Sandfields Corporation, represented six clients from May 2020 to June 2021, according to the lobbyist registry. He doesn't have any active registrations, and his past work is listed as inactive, the registry shows.

Kouvalis has also worked for Toronto Mayor John Tory, former B.C. premier Kristy Clark, and former Toronto mayor Rob Ford.