Article content continued

Ford has never enjoyed strong popularity numbers but went on to win a majority in last year’s provincial election, and his current rating may reflect some of the more unpopular measures that government’s typically roll out early in their mandates, Angolano said.

“It does happen where candidates do have negatives but they generally are the most popular option on the table,” he said.

“The good news for the Premier today is that there isn’t an election that’s going to be called right now … but to see it at this extreme?”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or

The person who appears to have emerged as Ford’s most high-profile critic outside the Ontario Legislature — Toronto Mayor John Tory who has objected to reductions in public health and other provincial funding — would be Liberal supporters first choice to lead the party, the poll found.

Almost 40% of poll respondents said they would vote Liberal if the former Ontario PC leader were leading the Ontario Liberal Party, 29.6% would support it with Sandra Pupatello at the helm, 27.8% with Steven Del Duca, 28.1% with Michael Coteau and 28% with Mitzie Hunter.

Photo by Cole Burston / The Canadian Press

The Ontario Liberals, who could soon dip to just five members, are in the beginning stages of replacing interim leader John Fraser with the person who will carry the party into the next provincial election in 2022.

Mainstreet Research surveyed 996 Ontarians, May 21-22, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%, and is considered accurate 19 times out of 20.

aartuso@postmedia.com