A new national survey reveals that while Prime Minister Mark Carney's personal approval ratings have improved, most Canadians feel his Liberal government has failed to deliver on key campaign promises, particularly regarding the ongoing affordability crisis.
Widespread Disappointment on Key Issues
The Postmedia-Leger poll, conducted in early November 2025 with nearly 1,600 Canadian adults, found that 72 percent of respondents expressed disappointment with the government's progress in tackling the cost-of-living crisis. Another 64 percent shared similar frustration with the government's pledge to control spending and address growing deficits.
Andrew Enns, Leger's executive vice-president, noted the apparent contradiction in public sentiment. "There's a lot of things to like about Mr. Carney's experience and credentials that people gravitated to during the election and hold true now," Enns said in an interview. "But when we start to dig deeper, people don't feel that we've made a lot of progress."
Budget Fallout and Political Reactions
The polling data comes immediately following the tabling of Carney's much-anticipated federal budget on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The fiscal plan, promoted as a "generational investment" in Canada's future, has faced sharp criticism from opposition parties despite government hopes it would provide relief to Canadians struggling with daily expenses.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a forceful response in the House of Commons, stating: "On behalf of all the Canadians who can no longer afford to eat, heat or house themselves because of Liberal inflation, we, Conservatives, cannot support this costly Liberal budget."
Paradoxical Political Landscape
Despite the widespread dissatisfaction with the government's handling of affordability issues, the poll reveals a complex political picture that Enns described as potentially "frustrating" for Conservatives.
"For Conservatives, their biggest issues are affordability, and that's where the current government is performing the poorest according to the Canadian population," Enns explained. "Yet it's not translating into increased support for the Conservatives, who have continued to make cost-of-living a very important part of their messaging."
If an election were held today, the Liberals would maintain a steady lead with 43 percent of voter support, while Conservatives trail at 38 percent. Furthermore, satisfaction with the Liberal government has increased to 46 percent, up four percentage points since the previous month. Carney's personal approval rating stands at 52 percent, representing a five-point jump.
Enns suggested that Canadians remain hopeful about Carney's leadership despite current challenges. "People still want Carney to succeed," he said. "They elected his government, and they're still giving him the benefit of the doubt."
