UNLIKE last year, when the non-profit Angus Reid Institute found rising personal popularity for a majority of provincial premiers, few of the provincial first ministers appear to be benefiting this fall, even as trade animosity between Canada and the U.S. intensifies.
New data from ARI shows big bumps in approval for B.C.’s David Eby (+10 to 41% approval) and Ontario’s Doug Ford (+10 to 31%) but little movement elsewhere in the country. For both Eby and Ford, this represents a recovery in what had been flagging assessments from constituents. However, the latter is still facing deep disapproval across Ontario as plane and hotel spending scandals dog the governing Progressive Conservatives.
With key votes looming in October, eyes are turned to Quebec and Alberta where both Premiers Christine Fréchette (39%) and Danielle Smith (38%) are approved of by approximately two-in-five in their respective provinces. Both have seen no statistically significant change from the previous quarter. Smith’s status quo comes as the governing UCP sorts through the aftermath of a surprise byelection defeat in a conservative stronghold and just weeks ahead of the Alberta referenda on separation and other issues. Fréchette has evidently built little momentum as the governing Coalition Avenir Québec to fend off the resurgent Parti Québécois in next month’s election.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s honeymoon period continues with approval of approaching two-thirds (63%) in the province. The second most approved-of premiers in the country are Newfoundland and Labrador’s Tony Wakeham (48%) and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe (48%).
