Poll: Conservatives Lead, Trudeau's Approval Stalls Amid Key Concerns

Left courtesy X.com/PierrePoilievre, right courtesy CBC

The Conservative Party of Canada continues to hold a steady lead over other Canadian federal political parties, according to a survey conducted by Research Co.

The poll, which involved a representative national sample of 1,001 adults, shows that 38 percent of decided voters would choose the Conservative candidate in their riding if an election were held tomorrow, mirroring results from late November 2023. The Liberal Party trails with 26 percent, a slight increase from previous figures, while the NDP has 20 percent, and the Bloc Québécois stands at 10 percent.

Regional results highlight the Conservative dominance in provinces such as Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, with significant leads also in British Columbia, Atlantic Canada, and Ontario. In Quebec, however, the Bloc Québécois has surpassed the Liberals, now leading with 34 percent of decided voter support.

The survey also explored Canadians' perceptions of the most pressing national issues, with 27 percent citing housing, homelessness, and poverty as top concerns, followed by the economy and jobs at 24 percent. Healthcare, the environment, and immigration were also noted as significant issues.

Leadership approval ratings remain stable with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre each holding nearly half of the public's approval, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approval lags at 39 percent.

Poilievre is also viewed favourably as a potential prime minister, leading Trudeau by a margin of 32 percent to 26 percent. Moreover, Poilievre is preferred by nearly half of Canadians to manage the national economy, compared to 38 percent who favour Trudeau.

Despite a supply and confidence agreement between the Liberals and the NDP in March 2022, public satisfaction with the outcomes of this partnership is limited, with 43 percent expressing contentment.

The poll indicates a significant shift in public sentiment regarding Trudeau's performance, with 50 percent of respondents stating he has performed worse than expected since his election in November 2015. Furthermore, a majority believe Trudeau has achieved little during his tenure.

Looking at broader national issues, a majority of Canadians perceive the economy, taxation, and healthcare as areas that have deteriorated over the past nine years. Concerns also extend to national unity, public safety, and Canada's international reputation, among other areas.