Polls show Trudeau’s departure does not improve Liberal Party’s chances in upcoming election
According to recent polling, Justin Trudeau’s resignation has not significantly impacted the Liberal Party’s declining electoral prospects. The Conservatives, on the other hand, have maintained a strong lead, with support increasing to 46 percent, while Liberal support has remained constant at 20 percent. The NDP, meanwhile, has seen a slight decrease to 17 percent since the previous month, as reported by Ipsos on Jan. 8.
Despite Trudeau’s departure, the Conservatives are still poised for a decisive victory in the event of an election, leading the Liberals by 26 points across various demographics, according to Ipsos Public Affairs Global CEO Darrell Bricker in a report on the survey results.
Trudeau announced his resignation on Jan. 6, stating that he would step down as prime minister and Liberal leader once a replacement is selected. Additionally, Parliament has been prorogued until March 24 at his request.
The majority of respondents (57 percent) indicated that Trudeau’s resignation would not sway their support for the Liberals in the upcoming election. Only 20 percent were undecided, while 23 percent stated they might consider voting Liberal now that Trudeau will no longer be leading the party.
Related Stories
Additionally, 77 percent of respondents feel that Trudeau’s resignation is too little, too late, indicating skepticism about its impact on the Liberal Party’s future electoral success.
Another poll by Abacus Data on Jan. 6 and 7 showed that Trudeau’s resignation announcement did not alter voter intent. If an election were held currently, the Conservatives would secure 47 percent of the vote, followed by the Liberals at 20 percent and the NDP at 18 percent.
These results point to the Conservatives holding the largest lead in over 14 years, as stated by Abacus Data CEO David Coletto in a social media post on Jan. 8.
The Ipsos poll revealed that more than 80 percent of Canadians approve of Trudeau’s decision to step down, with 51 percent strongly supporting it. On the contrary, 19 percent expressed disapproval, with differences in opinion between Liberal and Conservative voters.
Respondents were also asked to evaluate Trudeau’s performance during his tenure. The survey showed a range of opinions, with 38 percent giving him an “F” grade and only 4 percent giving him an “A.”
Preferred Replacements
Among potential replacements, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is the top choice, according to Ipsos. Other notable candidates include former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.
As the liberal leadership race begins, various candidates have expressed interest, while others have declined to participate.
