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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the standard repository of all knowledge and wisdom in Douglas Adams’ cult novel of the same name, had the words “Don’t Panic” inscribed in large, friendly letters on its cover.

Justin Trudeau should perhaps distribute a facsimile to his MPs, after a string of recent polls that suggest a sea change in public opinion.

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tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or John Ivison: Trudeau's blunder-filled India trip sinks Liberals in the polls Back to video

On Wednesday Abacus Data released a huge poll of 4,023 Canadians that found Liberal support has dipped to 36 per cent, the lowest the company has measured since the 2015 election. The Conservatives were on 33 per cent, followed by the NDP on 18 per cent. Most of the Liberals slippage occurred in Ontario and, given the static impressions of Conservative leader Andrew Scheer and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, it suggests the Liberal dip in support was self-inflicted — and linked to the Prime Minister’s trip to India.

The most telling statistic was the graph tracking Trudeau’s personal popularity, which has dipped from 47 per cent to 39 per cent in the last month, just as negative impressions have grown from 31 per cent to 38 per cent. In other words, as many people who have a positive view of Trudeau have a negative view.