Federal Politics: CPC lead holds, but Liberals begin to climb
While the Conservative Party of Canada maintains a comfortable eight-point lead over the governing Liberals, all eyes are on the latter party to see if its slow increase in voter intention over the last three months will maintain momentum or run out of steam.
The latest public opinion survey from the non-profit Angus
Reid Institute comes as time has distanced the Liberals from the
Snc-lavalin scandal that shook the Canadian political landscape in February and March, allowing the governing party to retake a lead in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
The performance of Justin Trudeau’s party also appears to be improving in British Columbia, though the Conservatives still maintain a 12-point advantage in that province.
While CPC leader Andrew Scheer will doubtless be reminding
Canadians of the SNC ordeal over the coming months, both of the front running parties have shifted much of their focus to environmental issues, namely the federal carbon tax and pipeline development.
The battle for environmental program supremacy comes as the environment and climate change are chosen as a top issue by one-third of Canadians (33 per cent), well ahead of health care (22 per cent). Further, at least half of those who intend to support the Liberals (50 per cent), NDP (49 per cent) or Green Party (65 per cent), say this is one of the two most important issues facing the country today.
More Key Findings:
- Ontario remains a key battleground, with the CPC and Liberals statistically tied. 36 per cent of residents say they would support the CPC if the election were held today, while 34 per cent choose the Liberals. The NDP is chosen by nearly one-in-five (17 per cent).
- Six-in-10 who intend to vote Conservative (63 per cent) say they are absolutely certain they will support the party and not change their mind, nearly double the number of Liberal supporters who say this (33 per cent).
- One-in-three Canadians (32 per cent) approve of Justin Trudeau’s performance as Prime Minister, while 61 per cent disapprove. Other federal leaders continue to be viewed less than favourably as well. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer is viewed favourably by 39 per cent and unfavourably by half (51 per cent).
The full poll can be viewed at www.angusreid.org/federalissues-july2019