A recent Postmedia-Leger poll indicates that the Conservative Party of Canada has slightly narrowed the gap with the ruling Liberal Party. However, overall satisfaction with Prime Minister Mark Carney's performance remains robust among Canadians.
Poll Results Show Modest Conservative Gains
According to the survey, 48% of Canadians would vote for the Liberal Party if a federal election were held today, while 37% would support the Conservative Party. This represents a three-percentage-point increase for the Conservatives compared to a similar poll conducted eight weeks ago. The New Democratic Party (NDP) and Bloc Quebecois each garnered 6% support, up one point each. The Green Party received 2%, and other parties combined for 1%.
The poll surveyed 1,521 Canadians aged 18 and older between April 24 and April 26, 2026.
Approval Ratings for Carney Remain High
Despite the Conservative gains, Prime Minister Carney's approval ratings remain strong. Nationally, 57% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the Carney government, including 20% who reported being 'very satisfied.' In contrast, 35% said they were dissatisfied, and 8% were unsure.
Andrew Enns, an executive vice-president at Leger, suggested that Liberal support may have reached a 'plateau.' He predicted that voter preferences and approval ratings could enter a 'holding pattern' for the foreseeable future.
Key Events Shaping Political Landscape
Enns highlighted three major events that have influenced polling trends over the past 18 months. First, Conservative approval peaked in December 2024 following Chrystia Freeland's resignation as finance minister after the Trudeau government's economic update. Second, the Liberal Party received a boost after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned and Mark Carney took over. Third, the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, with his rhetoric about annexing Greenland and referring to Canada as the 'fifty-first state,' led many Canadians to rally behind Carney and the Liberals.
Enns also noted 'massive societal shifts,' including voluntary boycotts of American products and a sharp decline in travel to the United States, which have significantly shaped political approval ratings and electoral outcomes across Canada.
