More Canadians pessimistic about country's direction, polls find
As for Trudeau, 59% disapprove of his performance, the highest marks since before the pandemic in 2019.
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Canadians are increasingly unhappy with the way things are going, new polls reveal.
An Angus Reid Institute poll released Monday found 52% of Canadians are pessimistic about the future of the country.
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In Ontario, 54% are pessimistic and 46% describe themselves as very or moderately optimistic.
“This is considerably higher than responses noted in recent years as an inflation crisis and a health-care system hampered by delays and staffing shortages contribute to Canadians’ foul mood,” the pollster said in a statement.
“In addition to pessimism about the country comes an increase in criticism of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Three-in-five (59%) disapprove of his performance, the highest marks since before the pandemic in 2019 when he and the government were beset with allegations of corruption related to SNC-Lavalin.”
A poll released by Abacus Data on Monday also exposed a souring viewpoint among Canadians.
“The number of people who say Canada is heading in the right direction is at 35%, down 4 points from mid-April, and one of the weaker results we have seen in the last year and a half,” Abacus Data said in a statement.
While 49% of Canadians believe the country’s on the wrong track, 61% of Americans think the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction, the poll finds.
Trudeau has a net negative popularity score of minus 11, with 35% of those polled approving his performance and 46% disapproving, Abacus Data says.
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The polls identified possible avenues for the Conservative Party to gain more support due to the level of public dissatisfaction.
Angus Reid notes Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre polls highest with 26% support among Canadians compared to fellow candidate Jean Charest at 21%, but 38% of those who voted Liberal in the last federal election find Charest the most appealing.
“Charest’s challenge is that past Conservative voters say they’re less likely to support the party again with him as at the helm,” the Angus Reid statement said.
Abacus Data said the Conservatives are now tracking slightly ahead of the Liberals in support among 18- to 44-year-olds for the first time since the last election.
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“Pierre Poilievre enjoys a positive impression among 20% and finds negative impressions among 28% for a net -8,” Abacus Data notes. “From March, Mr. Poilievre’s negatives have risen six points, while his positives have remained stable. Among Conservative supporters, Mr. Poilievre has a net +31, an improvement since early this month.”
The Angus Reid Institute poll surveyed 5,032 members of its forum from June 7-13. The Abacus Data poll surveyed 3,026 Canadians June 17-23.
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