Half of Ontarians Disapprove of Doug Ford as PC leader

Half say they're less likely to vote PC in the next election

Toronto, March 11th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 923 Ontario voters, half (48%) say they disapprove of Doug Ford as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives. One-third (36%) say they approve of his leadership, while one-sixth (16%) say they do not know.

Respondents most likely to say they approve of his leadership include those aged 35-44 (41%) or 45-54 (41%), males (46%), living in Toronto (41%), and supporting the PCs (67%).

Respondents most likely to say they disapprove of his leadership include those aged 55-64 (53%), females (52%), living in the 905 (54%), and supporting the Ontario Liberals (73%).

One-fifth of (20%) PC supporters say they disapprove of Doug Ford's leadership.

Half say they are less likely to vote PC in the next election

Half (BTM2: 48%) say they are less likely to vote PC in the next election with Doug Ford as leader, with most of those (41%) saying they are much less likely to do so.

2 in 10 (TOP2: 20%) say they are more likely to vote PC in the next election because of the election of Doug Ford as leader, with one sixth (15%) doing so strongly.

One-quarter (26%) say they are neither more likely nor less likely to vote PC because of Doug Ford. Few say they are unsure.

Respondents most likely to say they are less likely to vote for the PCs because of Doug Ford include those aged 55-64 (52%), females (50%), living in Eastern Ontario (52%), Toronto (51%), the 905 (49%), and supporting the Ontario Liberals (74%).

One quarter (23%) of PC supporters say they are less likely to vote PC because of Doug Ford.

Respondents most likely to say they are more likely to vote for the PCs because of Doug Ford include those aged 35-54 (28%) or 65+ (25%), living in Eastern Ontario (21%) or Toronto (24%), and supporting the PCs (40%).

Ford PCs still poised for majority

Amongst those decided an leaning, if an election were held today, the PCs would secure (44%) of the vote. The NDP would secure a quarter (27%) and the Liberals would secure a quarter (23%).

Few would support the Greens (5%) or another party (2%).

The PCs would win 84 seats, while the NDP would serve as official opposition with 29. The Liberals would secure 11.

“Doug Ford's leadership of the Progressive Conservatives has polarized Ontarians, with half saying they are less likely to vote for the party in the next election," said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research. “However, four in ten would still vote for Ford's Conservatives, more than enough to propel Ford into the Premier's office, with a healthy majority. Despite the positive numbers for the Conservatives under Ford, it seems that Ontarians are not so much accepting Doug Ford and his leadership, as they are rejecting the other alternatives."

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.