A newly released poll indicates the Liberals have edged ahead of the Conservatives, one day before a crucial confidence vote that could topple the government.

The poll, conducted for CTV and The Globe and Mail by The Strategic Counsel from May 12 to May 15, indicates that 33 per cent of Canadians polled support the Liberals, up six percentage points from a poll released last week.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives saw a slight drop nationwide and now stand at 30 per cent of support, compared to 31 per cent in the previous poll.

The NDP saw a comparable drop with 19 per cent support, down from 20 per cent.

Provincial findings

Meanwhile in Ontario, support for the Liberals rose notably to 43 per cent support, up nine percentage points.

Conservative support dropped five percentage points to 30 per cent; while NDP support fell four percentage points to 21 per cent.

In Quebec, the Bloc Quebecois still holds a sizeable lead; however, voter support is down to 48 per cent from 56 per cent in last week's poll.

Meanwhile, Liberal support is at 25 per cent, up nine percentage points.

Conservative support in Quebec has also seen an ascent to 14 per cent, from 8 per cent in the previous poll.

In British Columbia, the Liberals had a lead with 38 per cent support; the NDP trailed with 27 per cent; the Conservatives followed with 23 per cent; and the Greens held 12 per cent.

In the Prairies, the Conservatives had a whopping lead with 56 per cent support; the NDP followed with 21 per cent; the Liberals with 19 per cent; and the Greens with 4 per cent.

For this latest poll, 1,500 Canadians were surveyed nationwide. This yields a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Due to rounding, proportions may not total to exactly 100 per cent.

The Strategic Counsel poll is released ahead of a crucial confidence motion that will be held on the federal budget in the House of Commons on Thursday.

If defeated, Prime Minister Paul Martin has said he would call an election.

Similar findings

Meanwhile, an Environics Research Group poll reported figures Tuesday night from a poll conducted May 12 to 16, showing numbers that were remarkably similar to the Strategic Counsel findings.

Nationally, the Liberals are in the lead with 33 per cent support; while Conservatives are a close second with 31 per cent.  The NDP have 22 per cent of support; and the Bloc 10 per cent support.

In Ontario, 40 per cent of respondents supported the Liberals; 32 per cent backed the Conservatives; 24 per cent supported the NDP; and four per cent backed the Greens.

PM's honesty an issue in earlier poll

In last week's poll conducted by The Strategic Counsel for CTV and The Globe and Mail, the findings painted a bleak picture for Martin.

When asked to name which of the leaders is the most dishonest:

• 63 per cent of respondents picked Martin;
• 20 per cent chose Harper;
• 5 per cent of respondents said NDP Leader Jack Layton; and
• 3 per cent named Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe.

Meanwhile, 61 per cent of Canadians said they believe Martin would lie if it would help him politically; 54 per cent called him hypocritical; while 47 per cent said he's indecisive.

Still, when asked which leader Canadians would trust most as prime minister, Martin edged out Harper 31 to 29.