One year into his mandate, Mark Carney’s political position continues to strengthen.
Our latest Abacus Data polling finds government approval at a new high, the Liberals holding a 12-point national lead over the Conservatives, and optimism about the direction of Canada reaching its highest point in more than eight years.
Today, 47% of Canadians say the country is headed in the right direction while 39% say it is on the wrong track. At the same time, views of the broader world are overwhelmingly pessimistic. Only 13% think the world is headed in the right direction and 80% say the United States is on the wrong track.
That contrast helps explain much of what’s happening politically.
Canadians remain worried about affordability and economic uncertainty. The cost of living remains the top issue in the country by far. But increasingly, people appear to blame Donald Trump, instability in the U.S., and global volatility for those pressures rather than the federal government in Ottawa.
That shift has transformed the issue environment.
The Liberals now lead among voters most concerned about the cost of living and are tied with the Conservatives among those most focused on the economy. They also hold large advantages on healthcare, housing, and handling Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, government approval has climbed to 59% while Mark Carney’s personal favourability rating has reached a net +30.
Pierre Poilievre’s numbers have not materially worsened. But politics is relative, and at the moment he is competing against a Prime Minister benefiting from an exceptionally favourable opinion environment.
The broader picture is increasingly clear: Canadians may feel anxious about the world, but they are becoming more optimistic about Canada itself and that optimism is increasingly benefiting Carney and the Liberals.
Read the full release here:
https://abacusdata.ca/canadian-politics-carney-government-approval-and-liberal-lead-reach-new-highs-as-optimism-about-canada-improves/
Paid subscribers get access to the full inFocus archive plus my new long read series. My deep dives into issues and topics I think we need to better understand.
Here are the latest long reads in case you’ve missed them:
What Danielle Smith’s Choices About a Referendum Tell Us About Her Coalition
The Trust Premium in Canadian Politics Right Now
The Settled and the Restless: Why Baby Boomers Chose Safety Over Change
You can become a paid subscribers with a 20% discount by clicking the button below.
