Our leaders aren’t equally likable

Harper manages; Trudeau babysits; Mulcair lends

Canadians want to go on vacation with Justin Trudeau, get financial advice from Stephen Harper, and think Thomas Mulcair would be the most likely to loan them $100, according to Abacus Data.

A new poll released Wednesday asked Canadians which of the three federal politicians best fit a random sample of eight descriptors from a possible 16.

Bruce Anderson, chairman of Abacus Data, told the National Post that the questions were designed to get a sense of “what the edges are that people see in the personalities of these three leaders.”

That information helps predict how people might vote in this year’s federal election.

The prime minister scored highest on indicators of financial judgment and management skills, Mr. Anderson said.

Mr. Harper scored highest with Canadians in five of 16 descriptors, with respondents picking him as best suited to be the chief executive of a large company (47%), give investment advice (46%), give career advice (41%), give advice to your children about their future (37%) and negotiate a contract on your behalf (38%).

But Mr. Anderson said Mr. Harper was seen as “less approachable and compassionate than his rivals.”

Canadians see Thomas Mulcair as being compassionate and competent, according to the pollster, traits that he has been trying to develop since he became NDP leader. In addition to being most likely to loan you $100 (38%, Mr. Mulcair closely followed Mr. Harper in negotiating a contract (35%), giving career advice (36%) and advising your children (33%).

Mr. Anderson attributed Mr. Mulcair’s lower profile with voters and uncertainty about the “NDP brand” as to why he scored the highest on only one of 16 indicators.

“I think the question for Mr. Mulcair is less that he has ... weaknesses on a personal level in public perception and more that he leads a party that a lot of people aren’t sure that they want to have run the government,” he said.

Respondents did not see Mr. Mulcair as financially or management savvy as Mr. Harper, according to Anderson.

He is also viewed as not being as approachable as Mr. Trudeau.

The Liberal leader was chosen as the best fit for 10 of 16 possible descriptors, including choosing a good movie to watch (53%), babysitting your children (44%), most able to survive in the wilderness (42%) and looking after your pet (40%).

“He’s seen as a more approachable and empathetic politician than many have

Seen as a more approachable and empathetic politician

been,” the pollster said.

“But the efforts by his opponents and maybe some of the things he’s done have contributed to the sense that he might not be as ready with the skills on the management side and maybe on the financial planning for the future.”

Mr. Anderson said it’s difficult to say at this point whether voters care more about electing a competent leader or a likable leader. Unsurprisingly, they probably want both.

“There’s no doubt that people want competency and they do like the idea of leaders that can empathize with them, that they can relate to, that they can imagine having the proverbial beer with.”

The Abacus poll was conducted online with 1,005 Canadians aged 18 and older from Jan. 26 to 28 with a margin of error of 3.1% 19 times out 20.