The Progressive Conservatives have a large lead in one of the first polls of the Nova Scotia election scheduled for November 26, according to a Abacus Data survey released on Saturday.

Abacus Data surveyed 600 eligible voters in the province from October 28 to 31. They were asked about their voting intentions, key issues and the decision to call elections before the fixed date of next year’s elections.

Among engaged voters across the province, the Progressive Conservatives receive 45 percent of the vote with a margin of error of 4.1 percent 19 times out of 20.

The NDP is at 26 percent, the Liberals at 25 percent and the Greens at 4 percent.

“The Conservatives have a large lead in voting intentions, have the most popular leader and own or are competitive on the key issues voters care about,” said David Coletto, president and CEO of Abacus Data, in a press release.

A quarter of eligible voters are currently undecided ahead of the election.

About 45 percent of voters surveyed are indifferent to calling early elections. Some are happy to go to the polls (29 percent), while about the same number are angry or upset (27 percent).

Health care, affordability, housing

Improving health care is the top issue for 71 percent of respondents, followed closely by making life more affordable. About half cite improving housing and reducing homelessness among their top three issues, and 38 percent want to see a reduction in taxes.

As the first full weekend of campaigning draws to a close, party leaders are focusing on the Halifax Regional Municipality.

On Sunday, NDP Leader Claudia Chender visited campaign offices in the Capital Region, where the party has 36 percent support and is in a tight race with the Progressive Conservatives, who have 38 percent support in the municipality.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston and Liberal Leader Zach Churchill were also at HRM on Sunday.

A third of those polled said Houston would be the best prime minister, while Chender and Liberal Leader Zach Churchill are tied at 18 percent. Yet 30 percent of voters are unsure who would be best suited to lead the province.

Nearly half think the Progressive Conservatives will win, compared to 18 percent for the Liberals and just 6 percent for the NDP.