Three-quarter of Canadians want Carney to press ahead with his economic changes: poll

A new Canada Pulse Insights poll reveals that three-quarters of Canadians believe Prime Minister Mark Carney should proceed with his economic changes without seeking another election mandate. The poll, conducted among over 1,500 Canadians, shows overwhelming support for Carney's proposals, including fast-tracking infrastructure projects, relaxing environmental reviews, altering labour strike rules, and pursuing closer economic ties with Europe.

Support for these changes is consistent across the country, with the highest levels in British Columbia (83%), Quebec (77%), Atlantic Canada (73%), Ontario (71%), Saskatchewan/Manitoba (67%), and Alberta (65%). However, 25% of respondents argue that the changes are so significant that Carney should call an election to secure a fresh mandate.

Among Conservative voters, 53% support an election, while 47% want Carney to continue with his plans. If the election were held, the poll predicts the Liberals would lead with 46% support, followed by the Conservatives at 34%, with the NDP at 9%, the Bloc Quebecois at 6%, and the Green Party at 3%. One in ten eligible voters remain undecided.

Interestingly, 15% of former Conservative voters now express a preference for the Liberals, while only 2% of Liberal voters would switch allegiance. The Liberals maintain a double-digit lead over the Conservatives in most provinces, including Atlantic Canada (65% to 24%), British Columbia (52% to 27%), Ontario (48% to 38%), and Quebec (39% to 27%).

However, the lead narrows in Alberta (46% to 41%) and Saskatchewan/Manitoba (42% to 38%). The survey, conducted online from October 1-8, has a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.