Many Canadians are going into the election in a grumpy mood, according to a poll conducted by Environics Research Group Ltd. for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

The poll, published last night on the CBC's website, indicated that only 49 per cent of those polled are satisfied with the way things are going in the country today, while 48 per cent are not satisfied.

An identical poll a year ago found that 64 per cent were satisfied, the website said.

Dona Dasko, Environics' senior vice-president, said that the poll means that when Canadians go to vote, they will be carrying a grudge against the Liberal Party.

"I think this question reflects the growing cynicism that Canadians have about recent political events," Ms. Dasko is quoted as saying.

The poll indicated that satisfaction levels high among 18- to 19-year-olds (60 per cent), people born outside Canada (53 per cent), Atlantic Canadians (58 per cent), Torontonians and Manitobans (57 per cent), people who make more than $80,000 a year (58 per cent), people with a university degree (55 per cent) and people who intend to vote Liberal (69 per cent).

The poll also indicated that:

- 58 per cent of those polled had little or no confidence in the country's political leaders, while 41 per cent had some or a great deal of confidence in them.

- 84 per cent know Paul Martin is Prime Minister, while only 33 per cent know Stephen Harper is leader of the opposition.

- 57 per cent think the country should keep the political system it has, while 29 per cent believe it should change the way a government is elected to a different system such as proportional representation.

- 46 per cent think Mr. Martin in the most capable leader for the country, 14 per cent think Mr. Harper is, 6 per cent Jack Layton, and 6 per cent Gilles Duceppe.

The poll of 2,100 people is considered accurate to within plus or minus 2.14 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.