The Pollcast: Nova Scotia's election heats up

The CBCPollcast, hosted by CBC poll analyst ric Grenier, explores the world of electoralpolitics,political polls and the trends they reveal.

Two new polls suggest the provincial election in Nova Scotia might be turning into a nail-biter, as the Progressive Conservatives under Jamie Baillieclose the gap on Stephen McNeil's Liberals.

But that was before Thursday's leaders' debate, which also featured the NDP's Gary Burrill. What impact will the debate have on the unfolding race?

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Polling by Forum/Metro puts the gap at just two points, a margin that has narrowed by seven points since the beginning of May, when Forum was last in the field. The latest CRA/Chronicle Herald tracking poll shows the Liberals ahead by a more comfortable eight points, but also shows a similar six-point reduction in the margin between the Liberals and the PCs since the beginning of the month.

To discuss the potential impact of Thursday's debate, the implications of these new poll results and the possibility for a minority government in Nova Scotia, Pollcast host ric Grenier is joined by the CBC'slegislative reporter in Halifax, Jean Laroche.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to the CBCPollcast and listen to past episodes.

Follow ric Grenierand Jean Larocheon Twitter.