As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau begins 2025 with his future plans unclear, the governing Liberal Party struggles with plummeting approval ratings and dwindling voter support.
A new poll from the Angus Reid Institute suggests that Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister who resigned in December, could offer a glimmer of hope as the party considers its next steps.
The data reveals that the Liberals core base has shrunk to just 13% of Canadians.
Among decided and leaning voters, the party’s vote intention sits at a historic low of 16%.
However, projections improve significantly under Freeland’s leadership, with overall support rising to 21%.
This marks an eight-point jump and positions her well ahead of other potential successors, including Mark Carney, Melanie Joly, Dominic Leblanc, Anita Anand, and Francois-Philippe Champagne, none of whom appear to move Liberal support.
Despite this boost, the Conservatives maintain a strong advantage, with a 15-point lead over a Freeland-led Liberal Party in hypothetical matchups.
The findings highlight the uphill battle facing the Liberals as they try to recapture momentum ahead of the next federal election.
The challenges extend beyond leadership.
Polling suggests 27% of Canadians might consider supporting the Liberals but remain unconvinced.
Freeland is a paradoxical figure who oversaw some of the government’s most polarizing economic policies during her tenure.
Freeland is a leader capable of rekindling hope but still far behind in a competitive landscape.
As the Liberals weigh their next move, the question remains whether even Freeland’s appeal can reverse their fortunes or if the party’s decline under Trudeau’s leadership has become insurmountable.