Federal Liberals trailing opposition: poll

It’s been a cruel summer for Canada’s governing party.

The latest Angus Reid Institute survey shows the Federal Conservatives (CPC) are still in the lead by seven points, and some pollsters are blaming voter fatigue for the continued gap.

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The institute’s president, Shachi Kurl, told CityNews that voters don’t seem happy with the prime minister, but that does not mean they fully approve of the leader of the opposition.

“They’re not particularly enthralled or enamoured with either of them at the moment,” Kurl said.

“Both Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Poilievre have net negative ratings.”

Among those polled, 38 per cent say they would support the Conservatives, with that party leading in every region of the country except for Quebec, where the Liberals are in top spot just above the Bloc Quebecois, and Atlantic Canada.

“Rampant concerns about the cost of living and housing affordability likely loom much larger in Canadians’ lives than the Prime Minister’s personal life,” the institute said in a release. “But even as the CPC harvests gains from Canadians’ pocketbook pain, Poilievre continues to struggle to resonate personally.

“Just 36 per cent of Canadians view the opposition leader favourably. Comparatively, 39 per cent approve of Trudeau. Meanwhile, Half (52 per cent) view Poilievre unfavourably.”

Net approval ratings vary by age and gender, with Trudeau having a nine-point increase among 18-to-34-year-old women compared with June, the institute says.

“More than two-in-five of women approve of Trudeau while half disapprove. Among men, 34 per cent approve while 64 per cent disapprove,” the institute said. “The reverse is true for Poilievre, who holds a 44 per cent favourable versus a 50 per cent unfavourable rating among men. Among women, this rating is 28 per cent favourable and 55 per cent unfavourable.”

The next election could happen at any time but is scheduled for 2025.