Justin Trudeau’s approval rating by his most ardent supporters has dropped to a lonely single-digit, according to a new poll just released by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute (ARI)..The poll also measured the mood of Canadians, with inflation at a four-decade high, as well as their thoughts about the federal Conservative party’s leadership race..“Economically, the country is in dire straits,” says ARI. “Inflation is at its highest rate in 39 years, and Canadians are feeling the financial pressure.”.“Approaching half (45%) say their finances are worse off than they were a year ago, while one-third are looking to the future and seeing no relief.”.Of those polled, some claimed excessive government spending in the last two years has fueled rising prices, while others claim the spending was necessary to get the country through the pandemic, and also due to external factors beyond the government’s control..“Indeed, compared to other G20 nations, Canada’s inflation has been better controlled,” says ARI..How other countries are handling their inflation problems is, no doubt, of no concern to Canadians, who are suddenly gazing down a new, long tunnel, with no light in sight on the other end..Trudeau’s track record since being elected prime minister in 2015 has been plagued with scandal..But like mafia chief, John Gotti, known as the Teflon Don, none of the incidents — from the Kokanee Grope to the WE and SNC Lavalin scandals, among many others — have stuck to Trudeau, protected as he is from mainstream media, which received $600 million from Trudeau’s government..But it may all be coming home to roost, with ARI saying only 8% of Canadians strongly approve of Trudeau, and only 30% saying they moderately approve..Conversely, 18% moderately disapprove, while a whopping 41% strongly disapprove, a number that, by itself, is higher than the two levels of approval.. Angus Reid pollAngus Reid poll .The other data collected by ARI shows 52% of Canadians are pessimistic and 48% are optimistic about the future of Canada..“This is considerably higher than responses noted in recent years, as an inflation crisis and a healthcare system hampered by delays and staffing shortages contribute to Canadians’ foul mood,” says ARI..“Pessimism is far more pronounced in Alberta and the Prairies, while Quebec is the only region of the country with net optimism.”.“Personal pessimism — that of one’s own future — is considerably lower. Overall, 66% are still optimistic about their own life, though this, too, has dropped..“Those with lower household incomes are much more likely to say they are pessimistic about their own future than those in households that earn more.”.Two-in-three Canadians (66%) remain optimistic about their own future, while one-in-three are pessimistic (34%). Pessimism rises to 45% among the lowest income households..The negative approval numbers, especially Trudeau’s, may represent an opportunity for the Conservative Party of Canada, which is the middle of a leadership race..“In that race, Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre continues to lead the way, as the most appealing option to 26% of Canadians, followed closely by former Quebec Liberal Premier Jean Charest at 21%,” says ARI..“While a path to a future electoral victory for the CPC under Poilievre may be carved with strong support from the party’s 2021 base and voters who cast ballots for the People’s Party of Canada last fall, it draws little interest from past Liberal and New Democrat voters.”.“That group represents a much larger pool of potential support.”.Of those polled who voted Liberal last fall, 38% say they find Charest the most appealing potential leader..Charest’s challenge is that many see him as a 'wolf-in-sheep's clothing’ and if elected as the CPC leader, and subsequently prime minister, many believe his policies and platforms would lean more to the left than the right..Unfortunately, Canadians are stuck with a so-called leader, who is polling at the bottom of the popularity stakes until 2025, due to Trudeau climbing in bed, figuratively speaking of course, with NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh..Try to get that picture out of your mind..More Key Findings:.Few past Liberal voters (4%) find Pierre Poilievre the most appealing leadership option. Instead, 57% of past CPC voters say the most attractive leadership campaign is Poilievre’s, compared to 14% who choose Jean Charest..Justin Trudeau’s approval rises above two-in-five among women (44%) and drops to 32% among men.
