A new Abacus Data poll shows the provincial Liberals still holding a slim lead over the Progressive Conservatives.

The online survey of 500 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians showed that if the election happened today, the Furey government would carry 40 per cent of the vote , with the PCs just behind at 38 per cent, and the NDP at 21 per cent. That represents a drop of eight per cent for the Liberals and a one per cent drop for the PCs from last election. The NDP boasted a significant gain, coming in at 21 per cent, compared to eight per cent in the last election.

The Liberals saw a bulk of their support on the west coast, while the PCs saw more support in central and eastern Newfoundland. The two parties have split the Avalon peninsula.

The PCs have a lead with men and those between 45 and 59, while the Liberals saw popularity with women and those over 60. The NDP performed the best with those under 30.

The top issues for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians were far and away identified as cost of living and health care. When asked what was to blame for the rising cost of living, only three per cent blamed the Furey government, with 36 per cent blaming companies charging more to make a profit, and 31 per cent laid blame or the federal government.