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Of course, the most usual criticism about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is that he is more style than substance and too focused on image.

But perhaps the reason for the Liberals’ drop in the polls goes deeper. Perhaps we thought Trudeau had no substance but, after a couple of years of getting to know him, we’ve seen he does — and we don’t like it.

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A most alarming poll for the Liberals came from Ipsos last week which showed the Conservatives leading and the NDP gaining at Liberal expense. The poll put the Conservatives at 38% (unchanged), the Liberals on 31% (down two) and the NDP at 23% (up two). If an election was held today under the first-past-the-post system Trudeau promised he’d eliminate, Andrew Scheer might win a majority government.

And it wasn’t just the top-line numbers. The percentage of people saying Canada is on the right track fell eight points. Disappointment in the Trudeau Liberals increased two points to 56%. Now 60% say a new government is needed. Those are bad numbers.