OTTAWA, April 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Canada's ruling Liberal Party has plunged to the lowest level of public support in the past 16 years, putting the Liberal government in a serious jeopardy.

    A new poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid company between April 8 and 10 puts Liberal support at 27 percent, down 10 points from a mid-February poll. The major opposition parties -- the Conservative Party and Blco Quebecois enjoy 30 percent and 12 percent of public support respectively. While another opposition party the New Democratic Party has 17 percent.

    The startling testimony of Jean Brault, a former advertising executive, was made public on April 7 by the commission of inquiry into a sponsorship scandal. His testimony shows that some Liberal government officials and staff were deeply involved in the sponsorship program scandal.

    The spending scandal stemmed from a sponsorship program of 250 million Canadian dollars (about 200 million US dollars) which was carried out in late 1990s when former Prime Minister Jean Chretien was in power to promote Canada and fight separatism in Quebec .

    In early 2004 the annual report from Canada's auditor general found there had been a gross misuse of millions of dollars of government money under the sponsorship program. On February 19, 2004, a commission of inquiry into the sponsorship program and Advertising Activities was set up with Justice John H. Gomery named Commissioner.

    According to the poll, 45 percent feel the Liberals have lost their moral right to govern, while 52 percent say they have not; 65 percent say the Liberals do not deserve re-election and that it is time for another party to govern Canada.

    However, 87 percent agree with the view that the Gomery inquiry should be allowed to complete its investigation of the sponsorship scandal before an election is called.

    The poll also revealed that 46 percent of Canadians would trust leader of the Conservative Party Steven Harper as prime minister, versus 48 percent for present Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin. Observers here believe that Stephen Harper is now seen as relatively equivalent to Paul Martin as prime minister is a huge step up for him.

    According to reports here, the opposition parties are stepping up plans for a snap election in the spring as polls show the ruling Liberals with plummeting public support. Enditem