Article content continued

2. Manitoba’s Greg Selinger is the least popular premier

Selinger is at 23 per cent — nearly half of what it was at the height of his popularity, 48 per cent in March 2012. On the plus side: he’s up since his 17 per cent rating last December.

3. New Brunswick’s Brian Gallant is sinking

Gallant’s approval rate has dropped 13 points in three months. The New Brunswick premier fell from 40 per cent in March, to 27 per cent in June. The Angus Reid Institute notes Gallant’s sinking popularity comes with changes aimed at reducing government spending. Many of the government’s decisions, including increases to nursing home fees, have been greatly unpopular with residents.

4. Alberta’s Rachel Notley is enjoying a “post-election honeymoon”

The second most popular premier, Notley, has a 53 per cent approval rate. But the institute suggests the rookie leader’s ratings could change — the next quarterly survey, in three months, will more accurately gauge her popularity as her government settles into office: “Time will tell how long her post-election honeymoon will last.”

5. Two notable Liberal premiers have fallen



Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has been declining in popularity since June 2014, where he had a 66 per cent approval rate. He now sits at 37 per cent. Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne now has the approval of less than a third of respondents — her 31 per cent rating is sharply down from 41 per cent last September.

6. Another Liberal, though, is gaining popularity