The resignation and subsequent RCMP investigation of Helena Guergis, the former minister of state for the status of women, has damaged Canadians' confidence in politicians of all parties, a poll suggests. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)A majority of Canadians are following the resignation and investigation of Conservative MP Helena Guergis to some degree and almost two-thirds of them say it has damaged their confidence in politicians in general, a new EKOS poll suggests.

Of the 2,084 Canadians surveyed, 60 per cent were either following the Guergis affair or following it very closely, according to the poll's results, which were released exclusively to CBC News. Eighteen per cent were following it very closely, compared to 42 per cent who were following it somewhat closely.

Almost half, or 40 per cent, said they were not following it at all.

Guergis is the former minister of state for the status of women who resigned her cabinet position on April 9 and is being investigated by the RCMP for what Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called "serious and credible allegations" about her conduct.

Confidence in politicians shaken

More than half of those following her story — 59 per cent — said it has had a negative impact on their overall confidence in politicians in general. Respondents who identified themselves as supporters of the NDP and Liberal Party were most likely to have had their confidence shaken, at 74 per cent and 65 per cent respectively.

Despite Guergis's Conservative affiliation, fewer respondents — 53 per cent — said the controversy has had a negative impact on their confidence in the Conservative government.

Conversely, 24 per cent said the Guergis affair had actually strengthened their confidence in the government. Of those, most were likely to be Conservative supporters, residents of Alberta or senior citizens.

On one thing almost all following the Guergis affair can agree: it's a problem. A sizable 81 per cent agreed it was either a very serious (45 per cent) or moderate (36 per cent) problem. Just 11 per cent consider the issue "just business as usual," the results showed, while nine per cent either didn't know or had no response.

EKOS surveyed 2,084 adults by telephone between April 14 and April 20. The poll is considered accurate to within plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

(EKOS)