Most voters, including a large portion of Liberal Party supporters, feel Justin Trudeau should step down as leader.A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds more than half of Canadians (57%) prefer the Liberals replace Trudeau, while three-in-ten (28%) support his stated decision to lead the party into the next election.Liberal voters from 2021 are divided, with nearly equal numbers saying Trudeau should stay on (44%) or leave the party to a fresh face (41%). Meanwhile, 82% of CPC supporters, 47% of NDP supporters and 51% of Bloc supporters want him out. Only 33% of NDP voters want Trudeau to stay on.Among gender and age distinctions, women under 35 are the only demographic where a minority (49%) say Trudeau should step down. Yet, even among these, only 27% are persuaded he should stay.The impetus to make a change may be building as the Liberals trail the opposition Conservative Party by 11 points in vote intention. Currently, 39% would vote for the CPC candidate in their riding, while 28% say the same of the Liberals. One-in-five (21%) would vote for Jagmeet Singh’s New Democratic Party.Less than two-thirds (62%) of those who voted Liberal in 2021 say they will vote for them again. Of the remainder, 16% intend to vote NDP and 10% intend to vote Conservative.Canadian views of their prime minister after eight years have soured from earlier peaks. Trudeau’s approval matches his lowest mark of his eight-year stint as prime minister at 31%, while 64% disapprove. The highest disapproval ratings are in Saskatchewan (78%) and Alberta (72%).Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approval seems static to Angus Reid respondents. Fewer than two-in-five (37%) view the Carleton MP favourably, largely unchanged over the last year. Nearly the same number hold a strongly unfavourable view of him (35%), while about half view him unfavourably overall (49%). However, 43% of Conservatives have a very favourable view of him and another 36% have a favourable view. Also a majority of Saskatchewan and Alberta voters have a very favourable view of him. Three-in-ten Canadians say Pierre Poilievre would make the best prime minister for Canada (30%). Half as many choose Justin Trudeau (16%) or Jagmeet Singh (15%), while close to the same number say none of them are suited for the job (27%).The CPC holds a 10-point lead in Ontario over the Liberals (42% to 32%) and are also the top choice in British Columbia, holding an 11-point lead over the NDP in that province (40% to 29%).Canadians were asked about five prominent political figures in the “Liberal universe” as potential replacements for the long-tenured PM. Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland was the best-known and the most likely to generate more support. Melanie Joly was second, with former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney and current Liberal cabinet members Anita Anand and François-Philippe Champagne trailing.All of these potential leaders left Canadians more likely to vote Liberal than if Trudeau was in charge, regardless of their likelihood to vote for the incumbent ruling party.
Most voters, including a large portion of Liberal Party supporters, feel Justin Trudeau should step down as leader.A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds more than half of Canadians (57%) prefer the Liberals replace Trudeau, while three-in-ten (28%) support his stated decision to lead the party into the next election.Liberal voters from 2021 are divided, with nearly equal numbers saying Trudeau should stay on (44%) or leave the party to a fresh face (41%). Meanwhile, 82% of CPC supporters, 47% of NDP supporters and 51% of Bloc supporters want him out. Only 33% of NDP voters want Trudeau to stay on.Among gender and age distinctions, women under 35 are the only demographic where a minority (49%) say Trudeau should step down. Yet, even among these, only 27% are persuaded he should stay.The impetus to make a change may be building as the Liberals trail the opposition Conservative Party by 11 points in vote intention. Currently, 39% would vote for the CPC candidate in their riding, while 28% say the same of the Liberals. One-in-five (21%) would vote for Jagmeet Singh’s New Democratic Party.Less than two-thirds (62%) of those who voted Liberal in 2021 say they will vote for them again. Of the remainder, 16% intend to vote NDP and 10% intend to vote Conservative.Canadian views of their prime minister after eight years have soured from earlier peaks. Trudeau’s approval matches his lowest mark of his eight-year stint as prime minister at 31%, while 64% disapprove. The highest disapproval ratings are in Saskatchewan (78%) and Alberta (72%).Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approval seems static to Angus Reid respondents. Fewer than two-in-five (37%) view the Carleton MP favourably, largely unchanged over the last year. Nearly the same number hold a strongly unfavourable view of him (35%), while about half view him unfavourably overall (49%). However, 43% of Conservatives have a very favourable view of him and another 36% have a favourable view. Also a majority of Saskatchewan and Alberta voters have a very favourable view of him. Three-in-ten Canadians say Pierre Poilievre would make the best prime minister for Canada (30%). Half as many choose Justin Trudeau (16%) or Jagmeet Singh (15%), while close to the same number say none of them are suited for the job (27%).The CPC holds a 10-point lead in Ontario over the Liberals (42% to 32%) and are also the top choice in British Columbia, holding an 11-point lead over the NDP in that province (40% to 29%).Canadians were asked about five prominent political figures in the “Liberal universe” as potential replacements for the long-tenured PM. Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland was the best-known and the most likely to generate more support. Melanie Joly was second, with former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney and current Liberal cabinet members Anita Anand and François-Philippe Champagne trailing.All of these potential leaders left Canadians more likely to vote Liberal than if Trudeau was in charge, regardless of their likelihood to vote for the incumbent ruling party.
