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A review of the latest polling data shows exactly why Canada’s main political parties are making pitches on issues like the economy and the ability of everyday voters to get ahead.

A poll of 1,517 Canadians — taken as part of the DART & Maru/Blue Voice Canada Poll — shows plenty of anxiety about the economy and the personal financial situation of voters.

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When asked to rate how their own economic situation is compared to four years ago when the last election was held, more Canadians say they are worse off than better off, according to the poll conducted Sept. 11 — just hours after the Oct. 21 election was formally called.

On the key issue of affordability, there is a -46 rating among Canadians with just 13% saying the cost of living is better than 2015 while 59% say it is worse.

John Wright, partner at DART, said this plays well for the Conservatives and their slogan, “It’s time for you to get ahead.”

“It connects and causes leverage with real-time affordability and economic comparisons that Canadians have to compare to where they were four years ago. For the most part, they believe they are worse off than they were in 2015,” Wright said.