According to a new Angus Reid Institute study, Pierre Poilievre has achieved something few politicians manage with such consistency: an all-time high in personal unpopularity. Sixty per cent of Canadians now view the Conservative leader unfavourably, while just 34 per cent say they like him, roughly the same margin by which people “support” getting a root canal.
Even within his own party, enthusiasm appears to be taking a cautious, hands-in-pockets approach. Only 58 per cent of Conservatives say Poilievre should stay on as leader, well short of the 80 per cent endorsement he’ll be seeking at a leadership vote in January. Party insiders say the remaining 22 per cent are “still reviewing the vibes.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney leads Poilievre in net favourability by a cavernous 39 points, a gap analysts describe as “less a lead and more a scenic overlook.”
Poilievre’s office responded by promising to double down on messaging Canadians have already made very clear they don’t enjoy, calling the numbers “deeply encouraging, if you misunderstand them badly enough.”
