Angus Reid has published a national public opinion poll giving us one of the first reads on where Canadians' heads are at over the drama playing out in Ottawa.

Which of these statements comes closest to your own view?

• 35% - The Conservative party deserves to continue in government
• 40% - The Conservative party does not deserve to continue in government
• 25% - Not sure

If the Conservative minority government is defeated, what would be your preferred solution?

• 32% - Holding a new federal election
• 37% - Allowing the opposition to form a coalition government (two or more parties are represented in the cabinet)
• 7% - Allowing the opposition to govern by accord (a party is supported by one or more parties that do not have representation in the cabinet)
• 24% - Not sure

44% support some form of government leadership by the current opposition while only 32% are prepared to settle this through a new election.

The report goes on to say:

Some striking regional references are evident when Canadians assess the Tory administration. Quebecers are clearly in favour of toppling the current government (53%), while a majority of Albertans believe the Conservatives should remain in office (53%). A slight plurality of Ontarians (39%) believes the Tories deserve to stay, while respondents in British Columbia are evenly split.

Harper has chosen a scorched earth approach to handling this latest challenge to his leadership and is burning many bridges behind his apparent retreat from Quebec. How can it help national unity to see him and his ministers, including those who are normally friends to Quebec and ought to know better, whipping up anglo regions in the country, rekindling or fomenting anew hysteria and anger over la Quebecois.

Lost among the chest beating is one simple fact: Not every citizen who cast a vote for the Bloc Quebecois is a separatist. Harper risks turning the tide on separatist thought, which had been receding over the past decade, back to land.