Ontario Premier Doug Ford remains the preferred choice for premier among voters, even as a majority of Ontarians say it is time for a change, according to a new poll released Thursday.
Poll Details and Key Findings
The survey, conducted by Liaison Strategies, found that 54% of respondents agreed that Ontario needs a new premier. However, when asked who they would vote for if an election were held today, 36% chose Ford's Progressive Conservatives, compared to 24% for the Ontario NDP and 22% for the Ontario Liberals.
Ford's personal approval rating stood at 42%, while 48% disapproved of his performance. Despite this, he outpaced his rivals on the question of who would make the best premier, with 32% selecting Ford, 20% choosing NDP Leader Marit Stiles, and 16% backing Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie.
Regional and Demographic Variations
The poll highlighted regional differences, with Ford's support strongest in the 905 area code region surrounding Toronto, where he led with 41% support. In Toronto proper, the Liberals held a narrow lead at 31%, followed by the PCs at 28% and the NDP at 27%.
By age group, Ford performed best among those aged 55 and over, with 41% support, while the NDP led among voters aged 18-34 with 31%.
Reactions and Implications
“Despite the desire for change, Doug Ford remains the preferred premier,” said Liaison Strategies President David Valentin. “The PCs have a solid base that appears to be holding firm, even as other parties make gains in key areas.”
The poll surveyed 1,200 Ontarians between June 20 and 22, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Ford, who has been premier since 2018, is expected to lead his party into the next provincial election, which must be held by June 2027.
