IN Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, Danielle Smith, David Eby and Doug Ford have all fallen to personal lows, each facing a different mix of governing fatigue, economic pressure and controversy at home, according to an Angus Reid poll.
Smith and Eby, premiers of neighbouring provinces increasingly at odds over pipelines, federalism and the future of national unity, both lose ground this quarter. Smith’s approval falls drops to an all time low at 39 per cent after weeks of controversy over her government’s plan to hold an October referendum related to Alberta’s place in Canada.
Eby drops to 31 per cent as his government faces ongoing pressure over DRIPA, property-rights concerns, health care and affordability after nearly nine years of NDP government in B.C.
In Ontario, Ford falls to 21 per cent – the lowest approval level of his eight-year premiership – after a season marked by tariff concerns, deficit projections and backlash over the now-reversed purchase of a government jet.
The picture is not universally bleak for all premiers. Manitoba’s Wab Kinew continues to hold high esteem among his electorate, with three-in-five approving of his performance and a 12-point advantage over any other provincial leader.
Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe remains steady at 50 per cent, while new Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette begins her tenure with approval from about two-in-five in the province. This represents a 13-point improvement over the final approval rating registered for former Premier Francois Legault.
