The latest EKOS poll shows the Conservatives have opened a three-point lead over the Liberals. (EKOS)

The Conservatives have opened up a small three-point lead after weeks of being in a virtual tie with the Liberals, a new EKOS poll suggests.

Asked which party they would support if an election were held tomorrow, 33.4 per cent of those polled chose the Conservatives and 30.3 per cent backed the Liberals.

The poll found 15.8 per cent of respondents supporting the NDP, 10.4 per cent the Green Party and 8.2 per cent the Bloc Québécois.

Although the Liberals have benefited from Canadians' dissatisfaction with the government's handling of recent issues such as the Afghan detainees, Copenhagen and prorogation, they have not been able to build any sustained momentum.

Overall, the Liberals have not lost ground compared to previous weeks, but the Conservatives have gained back some of the support that they lost in recent weeks.

Support for the Conservatives was strongest in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, while the party was still neck and neck with the Liberals in Ontario.

As for the direction of the government, Canadians continue to be split as to whether the government of Canada is moving in the right direction.

A total of 44.5 per cent of Canadians feel that the government is moving in the right direction while 45.4 per cent feel it is moving in the wrong direction.

People in Alberta, men, and older Canadians (65 and over) are most likely to feel that the government is moving in the right direction.

On the other hand, Quebec residents and those with university-level education are more likely to think the government is moving in the wrong direction.

The random survey of 2,953 Canadians aged 18 and over was conducted Feb. 17 to 23 and claims a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.