Is the game up for Justin Trudeau?

In the dog days of summer, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government are skating on thin ice once more. 

An August 18-23 national survey by Abacus Data of 2,189 adults revealed that 56 per cent of respondents believed he ‘should step down’ rather than run again for re-election. Only 27 per cent felt he should stay, and 17 per cent were unsure. 

This number is in line with recent polling data in Canada. Pierre Poilievre and the opposition Conservatives have led in almost every opinion poll conducted since he became party leader on September 10, 2022. Moreover, the federal government has largely slipped into the 26-29 per cent range in national popularity – and, in several cases, is behind by either close to or above double digits. In the most recent example, the Conservatives lead the Liberals by 38-26 per cent in an August 23 poll by Abacus Data.