By Jonathan Briggins
A recent survey of Atlantic Canadians shows support for the federal Liberal party continues to decline in the region, despite still coming out ahead of other parties.
The quarterly survey, conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA), shows 51 per cent of residents are satisfied with the performance of the federal government.
It’s the third consecutive quarter where satisfaction has decreased: there was 56 per cent satisfaction in February 2018, 61 per cent in November 2017, and 66 per cent in August 2017.
Survey results also show dissatisfaction with the federal Liberals has increased, currently sitting at 43 per cent. That number is up from 37 per cent in February.
In regards to preference for federal party leaders, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dipped from 45 per cent in February to 40 per cent this quarter.
Preference for Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer has gone up from 19 per cent to 22 per cent. The NDP’s Jagmeet Singh remains at 10 per cent for the second straight quarter, while Elizabeth May of the Green Party is also unchanged at eight per cent. Four per cent prefer none of the leaders, while 15 per cent have no preference.
The Liberal party is still the preferred party for voting intentions of decided voters in Atlantic Canada at 40 per cent, down from 55 per cent in February and 60 per cent in November 2017.
The CRA said this represents the first quarter the Liberal government did not receive majority support since the October 2015 federal election.
Preference for the Conservative party has gone up over the last three quarters, rising from 23 to 26 to 29 per cent. The NDP has also seen a slight rise, going from 13 to 15 per cent. Preference for the Green party remains unchanged from last quarter at five per cent.
The quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians draws data from a sample of 1,500 adults in the region with overall results accurate to within plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times. The most recent survey was conducted from May 3 to 28.