Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have pulled slightly ahead of the Conservatives in what was recently a national “dead heat,” while in B.C. it’s basically a three-way race between the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP, according to a new Research Co, poll.
The poll surveyed 1,000 Canadians between September 11 and 13. It found the Liberals gaining a 1% lead over the Conservatives since the last poll among decided voters.
Nationally, among decided voters, the Liberals lead with 34%, the Conservatives are second at 30% (down two points since the last poll), and the NDP third with 20% (down two points.)
In B.C., it’s a “virtual tie,” with the Conservatives leading decided voters with 30%, New Democrats second with 29% and Liberals third at 28%.
Nationally, Conservatives appear to have lost some support to the Peoples Party, which is perhaps not surprising, given that Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has moved his party somewhat more towards the centre in the party’s platform.
“One-in-ten Conservative Party voters from 2019 say they will cast a ballot for the People’s Party in this month’s election,” the poll states.
Nationally, Conservatives enjoy the most support among men and voters over the age of 55, while Liberals enjoy more support from women and voters aged 35 to 54.
In Atlantic Canada and Quebec, the Liberals lead among decided voters –40% and 37% respectively -- while in Alberta, Conservatives enjoy 50% support, and 43% support in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The race between the Conservatives and Liberals is tighter among decided voters in Ontario, with the Liberals leading at 37% to the Conservatives’ 34%.
As for issues, the top concern among voters is health care, the economy and jobs, housing, homelessness, poverty and the environment, in that order.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh enjoys the highest approval rating for leaders, with a 49% approval rating, followed by Trudeau at 43%, O’Toole at 40%, Green Party Leader Annamie Paul at 23% and People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier at 15%.
That popularity doesn’t necessarily translate when Canadians are asked who would be the best prime minister, however. Asked who would be best prime minister, 33% said Trudeau, followed by O’Toole at 26%, Singh at 18%, Bernier 5% and Paul 2%.
