Commonwealth_ The Liberal government is facing mounting political challenges in the wake of Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from the federal cabinet, sparking renewed calls for an early election. A recent Ipsos poll for Global News reveals a significant shift in public sentiment, with a majority of Canadians now favoring a snap election.
The poll, released on Friday, reveals that 53% of Canadians believe opposition parties should defeat the government “at the earliest opportunity” to trigger an early election. In contrast, 46% think the opposition should collaborate with the government on a case-by-case basis to avoid going to the polls prematurely. This marks a near-reversal of opinions from earlier in the week when responses collected before Freeland’s departure showed that 54% of Canadians opposed an early election, while 46% supported it.
Declining support for the Liberals, approaching historic lows, has further complicated the political climate. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approval ratings have dropped sharply, with only 23% of respondents indicating they believe he deserves reelection. A striking 77% feel it’s time for a new party to take over. These figures put Trudeau perilously close to the record-low support seen by former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, who led the party to its worst defeat in history in 2011. That election saw the Liberals relegated to third-party status, behind the NDP, while the Conservatives secured a majority government.
The Conservative Party, under Pierre Poilievre, is benefiting from this shift, with support surging as Canadians grow increasingly dissatisfied with Liberal leadership. Perceptions of Poilievre as a capable leader have also improved significantly. The poll shows that 39% of Canadians believe Poilievre is best suited to represent Canada’s interests in trade negotiations with a potential new Trump administration. By comparison, only 14% feel Trudeau would be the better choice. This represents a widening gap between the two leaders, as a previous Ipsos poll showed Trudeau at 22% and Poilievre at 34% on the same measure.
The prime minister is also facing mounting pressure from within and outside his party. The poll indicates that 73% of Canadians believe Trudeau should step down, with only 27% wanting him to remain as leader through the next federal election in 2025. These findings align with calls for Trudeau to resign amid waning confidence in his ability to lead the party or navigate the country through its current challenges.
The political fallout from Freeland’s resignation has exacerbated public dissatisfaction. With Freeland serving as a key figure in the cabinet, many view her departure as a blow to the Liberal government. The timing of her exit appears to have influenced public sentiment significantly, as the latest data reflects a notable shift from earlier in December when Liberal support was slightly more stable.
Meanwhile, other parties are experiencing mixed results. The NDP’s support has dropped by one percentage point since last week but remains four points higher than in September. The Bloc Québécois continues to hold steady at 7%, while the Green Party has seen a modest increase of one percentage point over the past week.
Trudeau’s declining popularity is a critical factor driving calls for an election. His personal approval rating has fallen five percentage points since the last Ipsos poll, underscoring growing discontent with his leadership. The stark contrast between his current standing and the surging support for Poilievre highlights a shift in the political landscape that could significantly impact the outcome of the next election.
The combination of declining Liberal support, surging Conservative popularity, and widespread calls for Trudeau’s resignation has created a volatile political environment. If this trend persists, the Liberals may encounter a challenging battle to hold onto power, as opposition parties and a growingly disgruntled electorate increasingly demand change.
