According to Canada’s CEOs and business leaders, Prime Minister Paul Martin virtually ties his predecessor, Jean Chrétien, in terms of performance on the economy. The second annual ‘report card’ by business leaders on the Federal Government’s performance on various aspects of the economy for the year suggests Martin has performed no better than the Government did last year, continuing to earn failing grades for corporate and personal taxes, tax simplification, and protecting access to the U.S. market (new). Ottawa also earns mediocre scores for its performance on the dollar, economic growth and unemployment.

Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge performs slightly better than Martin on the dollar. Both earn their top marks and virtually tie for their respective performance on interest rates.

Canada’s business leaders have strong recommendations for Prime Minister Martin for New Year’s Resolutions. A third of respondents volunteered that the Prime Minister should commit to reducing taxes, government spending, or the debt in 2005. One-fifth (20% ) would like Martin to focus on his leadership abilities, demonstrate stronger leadership or as several respondents put it, get a "backbone".

These are the key findings of this week’s survey of Canadian CEOs and business leaders for publication in the National post under the sponsorship of BDO Dunwoody and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

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