A new nationwide survey paints a stark picture of growing public discontent, revealing a sharp decline in how Canadians view the performance of their governments at both federal and provincial levels.
Government Performance Index Takes a Nosedive
According to data released by the Angus Reid Institute in December 2025, overall satisfaction has dropped significantly since the beginning of the year. The institute's Government Performance Index, which averages satisfaction across 16 key issues, has fallen to 26 points nationally. This marks a notable drop from a score of 34 recorded back in March 2025.
The research, based on an online survey conducted from November 26 to December 1, 2025, gathered responses from a randomized sample of 4,025 Canadian adults. The findings point to a perfect storm of economic and social pressures eroding public confidence.
Cost of Living and Healthcare Fuel Dissatisfaction
The primary drivers of this decline are clear. Concerns over tariffs, which led the list of issues earlier in the year, have been overtaken by the relentless pressure of the rising cost of living and ongoing worries about health care. These two issues now sit atop the list of public priorities and are major sources of dissatisfaction for a majority of citizens.
The poll found that more than half of Canadians, 53%, report having a tough time coping with increasing expenses, highlighting the personal impact of economic pressures.
Provincial Breakdown: From Saskatchewan's High to Ontario's Low
The survey results vary considerably across the country, revealing a fragmented national mood. Saskatchewan residents reported the highest level of satisfaction, with a provincial index score of 35. In contrast, Ontario recorded the lowest score in the nation at just 20.
In Ontario, the Progressive Conservative government under Premier Doug Ford is facing intense criticism as it concludes the first calendar year of its third mandate. The government's handling of the public's top five concerns—the rising cost of living, health care, housing affordability, the economy, and public safety—is viewed poorly by a large majority of residents.
The numbers are particularly damning on core issues:
- 83% of Ontarians say the government is doing a poor job on housing affordability.
- 79% criticize its performance on the high cost of living.
- 77% believe it is mishandling the health care file.
Even among those who voted for Ford's party in the last election, discontent is widespread. More than two-thirds of PC voters believe the government is handling inflation (68%) and housing affordability (69%) poorly, while 63% say it is mishandling health care.
With the province's economy feeling the impact of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, half (50%) of those PC voters also say the government is doing a bad job on the economy overall.
Prairie Provinces Show Strength, But Face Critical Red Flags
While Alberta and Saskatchewan residents rate their provincial governments more favorably than those in other provinces, the survey uncovered significant concerns there as well.
Majorities in both provinces are critical of their governments' performances on key files:
- On health care, 72% in Saskatchewan and 68% in Alberta believe their government is doing a "poor job."
- On the rising cost of living, 67% in Alberta and 61% in Saskatchewan are dissatisfied with their governments' handling of the issue.
The data suggests that while regional economic factors may provide some insulation, the foundational issues of affordability and health care are creating political challenges for governments across Canada, regardless of their political stripe or provincial context.
