Negative perceptions of the PM have also increased.
According to a new Angus Reid poll, Justin Trudeau’s approval rating has dropped since December of 2022. That intervening period includes the ongoing China election interference scandal, with Trudeau’s refusal to call a public inquiry putting him offside public opinion. According to the survey, 37% of Canadians approve of the Prime Minister, compared to 57% who disapprove. Since December, Trudeau’s approval has dropped 6 points, and his disapproval has risen 3 points.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is at 34% approval, compared to 51% disapproval. Poilievre’s net approval rating of -17 is slightly better than Trudeau, who is at -20. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has a net approval rating of +3, though that is not translating to higher support for the party he leads.
The Prime Minister is more popular than Poilievre among women, with a 22 point lead among women aged 18-34, a 12 point lead among women aged 35-54, and a 20 point lead among women aged 55+. Among men, things are reversed. Poilievre leads Trudeau by 5 points among men aged 18-34, by 19 points among men aged 35-54, and by 10 points among men aged 55+.
While the Liberals have had some success with their political attacks against Pierre Poilievre, the unpopularity of the Prime Minister is a significant challenge for them. The Conservative Leader has more room to grow his support, as 15% claim they are undecided on Poilievre, compared to just 6% who say the same about Trudeau. Given that Trudeau’s disapproval ratings are higher than Poilievre’s in this survey, the Liberals face the risk of having a critical mass of public opinion turn irrevocably against the Prime Minister – especially if revelations of China’s interference continue to roll in.
Spencer Fernando
