A new poll conducted by Ipsos exclusively for Global News has found that 68 per cent of Canadians believe that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should step down. The desire for him to resign is highest in Alberta at 79 per cent and Atlantic Canada at 76 per cent. The polling, done between June 12 and 14, also indicates that if an election were held tomorrow, the Conservatives would have a “comfortable victory” with 42 per cent of the decided vote, while the Liberals would receive 24 per cent and the NDP 18 per cent. After eight years in power, Trudeau’s popularity seems to be waning, with Ipsos suggesting that he may be dragging the success of his party down with him.
The poll also shows that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has seen an increase in popularity, with nearly half of Canadians (44 per cent) stating that he would make the best prime minister. Additionally, 75 per cent of Canadians expressed a desire for another party to take over, with only 25 per cent believing that the Liberals deserve reelection. Despite the negative polling numbers, some members of Trudeau’s inner circle dismissed the figures and instead pointed to their policy achievements such as dental care, pharmacare, housing supports, and supports for families and students. Treasury Board President Anita Anand emphasized the need to focus on policy initiatives, while Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon highlighted the progress made in areas like $10 a day childcare.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland also addressed the sagging poll numbers, acknowledging the challenging economic climate globally and the government’s role in steering the country through this period. The Liberals are facing challenges in reversing their fortunes, especially in the upcoming federal byelection in the riding of St-Paul’s on June 24. The riding, which has historically been a safe Liberal seat, is now shaping up to be more competitive. The contest in St-Paul’s will serve as a test to see how polling translates into actual votes and will indicate the extent of the Liberals’ decline in voter esteem. The race in St-Paul’s will be between Liberal staffer Leslie Church and Conservative nominee Don Stewart.
Overall, the polling data suggests a significant decline in support for Trudeau and the Liberal Party, with a majority of Canadians expressing a desire for change in leadership. While the Liberals continue to focus on highlighting their policy achievements, they are struggling to regain support and are facing challenges in key electoral contests. The upcoming byelection in St-Paul’s will be a crucial test for the party’s standing among voters and will provide insight into the current political landscape in Canada. Despite efforts by Trudeau’s inner circle to downplay the numbers, the polling indicates a challenging road ahead for the Liberals as they seek to reverse their declining fortunes.
