The lead that Justin Trudeau’s Liberals enjoyed before calling a snap fall election has all but disappeared, according to a new poll by Research Co.
The poll finds Trudeau’s Liberals have fallen from favour in B.C. in recent weeks.
The Liberals were leading in the polls in B.C. in early August, the last time Research Co. did polling on voter intentions and party popularity.
In early August, Research Co. polling put the approval rating for the Liberals in B.C. at 37%, NDP 29%, and Conservatives 23%. A new poll, resleased today, shows the Conservatives and NDP in B.C. to be neck-and-neck at a 32% approval rating, with the Liberals falling to 28%.
The polling suggests a very close race between the Conservatives and Liberals in Ontario, with Conservatives and Liberals at 36% and 35% respectively.
Nationally, the poll finds Justin Trudeau’s approval rating has fallen by five points to 45% since June, though he still enjoys a lead over Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole.
“The federal election in Canada is currently a dead head between the two most prominent parties in the country,” the new Research Co. polls concludes.
Of decided voters, nationally, 33% said they would vote for a Liberal candidate in their riding, with 32% saying they would vote for a Conservative candidate and 22% saying they would vote for an NDP candidate. For decided voters, 6% said they would vote for a Bloc Québécois candidate, 4% for a Green candidate and 3% for the People's Party.
“The Liberals are still popular among decided voters aged 18-to-34 (34%, followed by the NDP with 29%) and among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (38%, with the Conservatives at 32%),” the poll finds. “The Tories hold a seven-point advantage over the Liberals among decided voters aged 55 and over (37% to 30%).”
Nationally, among all voters, both decided and undecided, 28% said they would vote for a Liberal canadiate, 27% Conservative and 18% New Democrat.
"I would say that the big change is for O’Toole," Research Co. president Mario Canseco told BIV News. "The campaign, so far, has moved more Canadians into liking O’Toole."
He added the most significant change since the start of election camapign has been the Conservatives' improved approval numbers in Ontario.
"They are now essentially tied with the Liberals in Ontario," Canseco said. "This has huge implications on seat counts, if it remains as it is now."
Since the start of the campaign, Trudeau posted a negative momentum score, with 39% of Canadians saying their opinion of him has worsened.
Poll results are based on an online study of 1,000 adults in Canada conducted August 28 through August 30.
