Conservatives maintain lead over Liberals as Trudeau sees lowest approval rating since snap election: poll

The Conservatives are maintaining their lead over the Liberals, according to the latest national Abacus poll. The results are in line with other recent national surveys from Léger, Nanos, and Ipsos, all of which have shown a wide gap between the two major political parties. 

Since the beginning of summer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has seen support for his party fall to record lows, while the opposition under Pierre Poilievre has managed to capitalize off Canadians' discontent and desire for change.

Among the 1,650 Canadians surveyed in August, 37 percent preferred Poilievre's party, while 28 percent said they were hoping for another Trudeau term. A further 19 percent said they'd be voting for the NDP, with the Green Party eeking out 4 percent.

Government approval is at its lowest point since Trudeau last took office; 54 percent of respondents said they disapprove, while only 31 percent agreed that the feds have done a good job.

When Trudeau won the snap election in 2021, his personal approval and disapproval ratings were within 3 points of one another, at 40 and 43 percent, respectively. Now, 52 percent of Canadians have a negative impression of him, compared to just 29 percent who see him in a positive light.

Poilievre's numbers, on the othe hand, have remained rather steady, with the gap between positive and negative impressions not surpassing 8 points since he became party leader.

Canadians said that while Trudeau is more "compassionate," Poilievre is "strongest," and has the "best ideas" and "clearest vision for Canada."

According to 338Canada, Conservatives are currently projected to win 165 seats in the next election, were it to be held in the near future. While this is five short of the 170 needed to form a majority government, it is still 50 more than the Liberals are forecast to hold on to.