Canada’s Conservative Party would form a majority government and leave the Trudeau Liberals in their dust if voters cast their ballots today, according to a new Forum Research poll.
As the Toronto Sun reports, the poll, released Tuesday, puts the Conservatives at 46 percent voter support,with the the Liberals at a distant second with 30 percent. The quasi-socialist New Democratic Party rounds out the results with 18 percent.
Although other polls have indicated growing support for the Conservatives under leader Andrew Scheer, these latest results are the most promising for Canada’s official opposition. The numbers could indicate that Trudeau has failed to stabilize the damage incurred by a series of embarrassing gaffes at town hall meetings — including the infamous suggestion that a young woman say “peoplekind” and not mankind — and a disastrous trip to India that featured daily photo ops, a bogus trade deal and the surprise appearance of a former Sikh terrorist at a state dinner.
According to Forum Research President Lorne Bozinoff, the Conservatives have positioned themselves well going into the summer break from Parliament. “The Conservatives have strengthened their lead over the governing Liberals going into the summer break,” Bozinoff told the Sun.
“The prime minister is seeing a high level of disapproval right now that could account for the lack of support for his party.”
The Forum poll indicates that Conservatives have their largest support from middle-class, middle-aged males. Liberal support is highest in Atlantic Canada — a historic stronghold for the party. The three parties equally share voters who say they have a post-secondary degree.
The next federal election in Canada is expected to be sometime in October 2019.
Pollsters conducted a random survey of 1,484 voters by phone from May 15-16. It is considered accurate, plus or minus three percent, 19 times out of 20.