Ipsos Reid poll suggests consumer protection may trump democratic reform. (Graphic by Ipsos)

Recent polling from Ipsos Reid includes both good and bad news for those concerned about openness and accountability in Canada.

The online poll, which was released last Friday, asked 1,042 Canadians about seven potential federal government policy options and how each would influence their support for the Conservatives.

Five of those policies dealt with consumer issues. But respondents were also asked what would happen if the Harper administration required all parliamentarians to post their travel and office expenses online.

Ipsos Reid found that policy could be a big vote winner for the Tories, with 50 percent saying it would make them more likely to support Canada’s governing party.

That’s the same reaction the polling company got when it asked what would happen if the Harper administration passed a law requiring products sold in the United States and Canada to have the same price.

By comparison, respondents weren’t nearly as enthusiastic about the Harper administration giving individual MPs a greater say in how the country is run.

Just 30 percent said such a policy would make them more likely to support the Conservatives – the lowest vote-getter among the potential policies surveyed.

And eight percent would be less likely to support the Conservatives if MPs were given more power.

That suggests Canadian ballot box decisions may be more influenced by policies that impact their pocketbooks than their democratic rights.

Ipsos Reid conducted the survey between October 16-20 on behalf of CTV News.