February 5, 2020

A newly released 13 year tracking study on the Mood of Canada by Nanos Research in conjunction with the Institute for Research on Public Policy suggests that Canadians continue to be more critical of the Trudeau government’s performance since 2015 with an all time low in those who say they are doing a very good or good job from the 2018 wave, and the number of Canadians who say the country is moving in the right direction has also continued to decrease since the 2018 findings. Overall, the Federal Provincial relations measure has continued its negative trend since 2015, while Canada’s global reputation has decreased significantly from its ten year high in 2016, according to Canadians.

Performance of the Federal Government – Over four in ten Canadians say the performance of the Federal Liberal Government as very poor (25%) or somewhat poor (19%), while 27 per cent say it is average, and over one in four say it is very good (six per cent) or somewhat good (21%). Three per cent are unsure. While these figures are generally steady with 2018 findings (with a slight decrease in those who say the performance is very good or somewhat good), the data shows a 31 point decrease in “very good” and a 13 point increase in “very poor” since 2015.

Over four in ten Canadians say the performance of the Federal Liberal Government as very poor (25%) or somewhat poor (19%), while 27 per cent say it is average, and over one in four say it is very good (six per cent) or somewhat good (21%). Three per cent are unsure. While these figures are generally steady with 2018 findings (with a slight decrease in those who say the performance is very good or somewhat good), the data shows a 31 point decrease in “very good” and a 13 point increase in “very poor” since 2015. Direction of the country – When asked whether the country is moving in the right or the wrong direction, 41 per cent of Canadians say the right direction (down from 47% in 2018) and 34 per cent say the wrong direction (down from 39% in 2018). Twenty five per cent are unsure (up from 14% in 2018).

When asked whether the country is moving in the right or the wrong direction, 41 per cent of Canadians say the right direction (down from 47% in 2018) and 34 per cent say the wrong direction (down from 39% in 2018). Twenty five per cent are unsure (up from 14% in 2018). Federal-Provincial relations – Over six in ten Canadians say that over the past year the relationship between federal and provincial governments has not improved (33%) or somewhat not improved 28%), while 22 per cent say it is neutral (down from 26% in 2018), and more than one in ten say it has improved (two per cent) or somewhat improved (ten per cent). Six per cent are unsure. This represents a 23 point decrease in “improved” and 23 point increase in “not improved” since 2015.

Over six in ten Canadians say that over the past year the relationship between federal and provincial governments has not improved (33%) or somewhat not improved 28%), while 22 per cent say it is neutral (down from 26% in 2018), and more than one in ten say it has improved (two per cent) or somewhat improved (ten per cent). Six per cent are unsure. This represents a 23 point decrease in “improved” and 23 point increase in “not improved” since 2015. Canada’s global reputation – Over four in ten say that over the last year Canada’s international reputation has not improved (22%) or somewhat not improved (21%), while 32% percent say it is neutral (up from 20% in 2018), and less than one in four says it has improved (seven per cent; a significant decrease from 22% in 2018) or somewhat improved (15%; down from 22% in 2018). Three per cent are unsure. This represents a 15 point decrease in “improved” and a seven point decrease in “somewhat improved” since 2017.

Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land and cell lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,010 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between December 22nd and 29th, 2019 as part of an omnibus survey. The margin of error for a random survey of 1,010 Canadians is 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Please find a copy of the complete report here.

This study is a joint initiative between Nanos Research and the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Media contact: Nik Nanos (613) 234-4666 ext. 237 Email: info@nullnanosresearch.com