A new poll released Monday shows Alberta Premier Jason Kenney sitting nearly dead last in approval amongst Canada’s premiers.
But the Angus Reid poll tells a different story for his B.C. counterpart John Horgan – he is on top of the list.
“Response to the coronavirus pandemic continues to be a key metric by which Canadians rate their political leaders in 2020. The issue consistently supersedes all others in terms of importance. But new data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute indicates approval ratings for Canada’s premiers does not necessarily correlate with the number of cases or severity of outbreak province to province,” the polling company said.
Angus Reid poll on popularity of Canadian premiers
By Dave Naylor
While Kenney only had 42 per cent support, Horgan came in at a whopping 69 per cent.
“British Columbia’s John Horgan receives high approval for the work he has done this quarter. Despite rising numbers of cases, which reached record levels last week, Horgan’s approval is highest in the country at 69 per cent, suggesting that low (though increasing) hospitalization rates may be calming the public to some extent,” the poll said.
“Horgan recently reached out to B.C-born celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen in an effort to change the message. The popularity of the Premier has led to speculation that a fall election may be called.”
Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe also did well at 59 per cent and Manitoba’s Brian Pallister only garnered 44 per cent.
The lowest rated premier was Newfoundland’s Andrew Furey at only 34%
“Kenney is facing a number of challenges. Albertans have grown increasing critical of his government’s response to the coronavirus and the province’s finances are in historically poor shape with oil revenues plummeting and pandemic-related economic shocks persisting,” pollsters said.
“COVID-19 cases began rising in mid-July to an average of more than 100 per day and remain above that mark. Two-in-five Albertans (42%) approve of Kenney, the lowest number recorded since his United Conservative Party formed government in 2019.”
As for Pallister “cases in that province have risen in recent weeks and the premier has faced criticism over a government decision to promote Manitoba as a tourism destination during the pandemic.”
The poll noted Moe and his party holds a considerable lead in vote intention as he heads into an election in November.
Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
Dave Naylor is News Editor & Calgary Bureau Chief of the Western Standard based in the Calgary Headquarters.
He served as City Editor of the Calgary Sun & covered Alberta news for nearly 40 years.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.