Poll shows Ontarians fear for auto sector

More than half of Ontarians are worried a Donald Trump presidency will hurt the automotive industry, critical to Southwestern Ontario, according to a poll commissioned by Postmedia.

The poll, by Ottawa firm Mainstreet, states 55 per cent of Ontarians fear Trump’s economic policies will hurt Ontario’s auto sector.

But in Southwestern Ontario, where the auto sector is clustered, the numbers drop substantially, with only 32 per cent stating Trump’s policies will have a negative impact.

But all signs from the U.S. suggest Canada is not a concern when it comes to automotive trade, and those closer to the industry may know that, said Quito Maggi, chief executive of Mainstreet.

“We always talk about the difference between public opinion and expert opinion and engaged views and non-engaged views and why there is a gap there,” he said.

“People who know more have fewer concerns.”

The poll also looked at Ontario politics, finding Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives would earn the support of most voters if an election were held today, with the Ontario Liberal Party and Ontario NDP battling for second place.

The poll of all voters states the PCs would garner 33 per cent support, with Liberals at 24 per cent and NDP at 23 per cent.

In Southwestern Ontario, the difference is more stark, with 36 per cent support for the PCs, 34 per cent for the NDP and just 17 per cent for the Liberals.

The Mainstreet/Postmedia poll has a margin of error of 1.95%, 19 times out of 20.

The PCs are leading in most regions of the province but still lag in Toronto,” said Maggi.

As for Premier Kalthleen Wynne’s approval rating, 18 per cent approve of the job she is doing while 65 per cent disapprove.

Mainstreet surveyed a random sample of 2,524 Ontarians on Feb. 12.