Elections – Research Co.

United Conservatives Keep Lead Over New Democrats in Alberta

September 2, 2026August 30, 2026By Mario Canseco

Danielle Smith trails Naheed Nenshi on approval, but holds a four-point advantage on the “Best Premier” question.

Vancouver, BC [September 2, 2026] – The governing United Conservative Party (UCP) remains ahead of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Alberta’s provincial political scene, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of likely voters in Alberta, 46% of decided voters would support the UCP Candidate in their constituency while 43% would back the NDP.

The Progressive Tory Party of Alberta is third with 5%, followed by the Republican Party of Alberta with 2% and the Wildrose Loyalty Coalition also with 2%.

The race is close in the Calgary Metropolitan Area, where the UCP has a two-point edge over the NDP (46% to 44%). The New Democrats are three points ahead of the United Conservatives in the Edmonton Metropolitan Area (46% to 43%), while the governing party keeps the upper hand in the rest of the province (49% to 39%).

“Majorities of decided voters aged 35-to-54 (53%) and aged 55 and over (52%) would cast a ballot for the United Conservatives in Alberta,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The New Democrats are ahead among decided voters aged 18-to-34 (57%).”

The UCP is holding on to 86% of its voters from the 2023 provincial election, losing 6% to the Progressive Tories and 5% to the New Democrats. Nine-in-ten NDP voters in the last provincial ballot (90%) are staying with the party.

Official Opposition and NDP leader Naheed Nenshi has the highest approval rating of all party leaders in the province (49%), followed by Premier and UCP leader Danielle Smith (43%), Progressive Tory Party of Alberta leader Peter Guthrie (23%), Wildrose Loyalty Coalition leader Paul Hinman (18%) and Republican Party of Alberta leader Cameron Davies (also 18%).

On the preferred premier question, Smith has a four-point lead over Nenshi (37% to 33%), with the remaining party leaders in the low single digits.

The economy and jobs is the most important issue facing Alberta for 22% of likely voters, followed by health care (20%), housing, homelessness and poverty (13%), government accountability (11%) and national unity and separation (also 11%).

Just over a third of residents of the Calgary Metropolitan Area (34%) pick the economy and jobs as the most pressing concern, while almost one-in-four residents of the Edmonton Metropolitan Area (23%) select health care.

Concerns over national unity reach 20% among Albertans aged 55 and over, 16% among NDP voters in the 2023 provincial election and 20% among Liberal Party voters in the 2025 federal election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 24 to August 26, 2026, among 750 likely voters in Alberta. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Alberta. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.6 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Fewer Than 1/4 of Voters in Alberta Side with Separation

August 31, 2026August 29, 2026By Mario Canseco

Stephen Harper and Mark Carney are the most trusted sources on the issue of Alberta seceding from Canada.

Vancouver, BC [August 31, 2026] – The upcoming referendum in Alberta would see a high level of support for the questions related to immigration, but the idea of holding a binding vote on separation is not resonating with the public, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of likely voters in Alberta, 74% say they would vote for the province to remain in Canada, while 22% would cast a ballot in favour of the Government of Alberta commencing the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.

“Support for a binding referendum on Alberta’s separation from Canada is highest among Albertans aged 35-to-54 (27%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer Albertans aged 55 and over (20%) and aged 18-to-34 (18%) concur.”

The survey also outlines a drop when the questions used in a January 2026 Research Co. poll are revisited, with 26% of Albertans (-5) supporting the idea of Alberta becoming a country independent from Canada and 16% (-8) welcoming the notion of Alberta joining the United States.

The province-wide referendum scheduled for October 19 also includes questions on immigration and constitutional issues.

Majorities of likely voters in Alberta say they will vote “Yes” on the five questions related to immigration:

The Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate or citizenship card, to vote in an Alberta provincial election (66%).
The Government of Alberta taking increased control over immigration for the purposes of decreasing immigration to more sustainable levels, prioritizing economic migration and giving Albertans first priority on new employment opportunities (65%).
The Government of Alberta introducing a law requiring all individuals with a non-permanent legal immigration status to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months before qualifying for any provincially-funded social support programs, assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for social support programs as they do now (60%).
The Government of Alberta charging a reasonable fee or premium to individuals with a non-permanent immigration status living in Alberta for their and their family’s use of the health care and education systems, assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for public health care and education as they do now (also 60%).
The Government of Alberta introducing a law mandating that only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals with an Alberta-approved immigration status will be eligible for provincially-funded programs, such as health care, education and other social services (58%).

Public support is decidedly lower on the four questions related to constitutional issues:

The Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to better protect provincial rights from federal interference by giving a province’s laws dealing with provincial or shared areas of constitutional jurisdiction priority over federal laws when the province’s laws and federal laws conflict (46%).
The Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to have provincial governments, and not the federal government, select the justices appointed to provincial King’s Bench and Appeal courts (45%).
The Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to allow provinces to opt out of federal programs that intrude on provincial jurisdiction such as health care, education and social services, without a province losing any of the associated federal funding for use in its social programs (41%).
The Government of Alberta working with the governments of other willing provinces to amend the Canadian Constitution to abolish the unelected federal Senate (39%).

Likely voters in Alberta think that the validity of the referendum as a true representation of the wishes of the public hinges on voter turnout. Majorities believe a level of participation that ranges from 51% to 60% of registered voters (58%), from 61% to 70% of registered voters (75%) or of more than 70% of registered voters (80%) would be sufficient.

Conversely, most likely voters in Alberta believe turnouts ranging from 41% to 50% of registered voters (55%), from 31% to 40% of registered voters (69%) or fewer than 30% of registered voters (72%) would not be enough to deem the referendum as a true representation of the wishes of Albertans.

Likely voters in Alberta were asked if they trust 15 different individuals on the issue of Alberta separating from Canada.

More than half say they “definitely” or “probably” trust former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper (51%) and current Canadian prime minister Mark Carney (also 51%). The rating is lower for current federal Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (47%), current provincial Official Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi (46%), former Alberta premier Rachel Notley (40%), current Alberta premier Danielle Smith (37%) and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney (32%).

Fewer than a third of likely voters in Alberta trust professional hockey player Connor McDavid (26%), leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP) Avi Lewis (20%), Progressive Tory Party of Alberta leader Peter Guthrie (17%), Wildrose Loyalty Coalition leader Paul Hinman (13%), Alberta Prosperity Project co-founder and lawyer Jeffrey Rath (also 13%), Alberta Prosperity Project CEO Mitch Sylvestre (also 13%), social media personality Marty Belanger (11%) or Republican Party of Alberta leader Cameron Davies (10%) on the issue of Alberta separating from Canada.

Respondents to this survey were presented with potential scenarios in the event Alberta secedes from Canada.

Likely voters are evenly divided on whether they would stay put (45%) or move out of the province (44%) if separation happens.

Residents of the Calgary Metropolitan Area are more likely to say they would leave a sovereign Alberta (49%) than those who live in the Edmonton Metropolitan Area (44%) or in other parts of the province (38%).

Just over half of likely voters in in Alberta (51%) think a sovereign Alberta should keep a parliamentary system (where the leader of the party with the most seats in the legislature becomes the head of government), while 19% would prefer to adopt a presidential system (with a head of government that is directly elected).

More than two-in-five likely voters in Alberta (43%) believe an independent Alberta should rely on the Canadian dollar as its currency. Fewer would prefer to establish a new currency (22%) or adopt the American dollar (16%).

Just over four-in-five likely voters in Alberta (81%) think a sovereign Alberta should maintain a publicly funded universal health care system, while half (50%) would like a sovereign Alberta to reintroduce the death penalty for murder.

Fewer likely voters in Alberta would welcome other ideas after independence, such as maintaining a Goods and Services Tax (GST) (43%), allowing Albertans to own and carry handguns for self-defence (36%), making marijuana illegal (31%), making same-sex marriage illegal (27%) or making abortion illegal (24%).

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Governing New Democrats Retake Lead in British Columbia

August 18, 2026August 17, 2026By Mario Canseco

A provincial election would result in very close contests in the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and Southern BC.

Vancouver, BC [August 18, 2026] – The governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) is once again first in British Columbia’s political scene, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 44% of decided voters (+2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2026) would back the BC NDP candidate in their constituency in a provincial election, while 39% (-3) would support the Conservative Party of BC.

The BC Green Party remains in third place with 10% (+1), followed by Centre BC with 5% (+2) and OneBC with 1% (-1).

The BC NDP is ahead of the Official Opposition among women (47% to 34%), voters aged 35-to-54 (44% to 41%) and voters aged 55 and over (52% to 37%). The BC Conservatives lead the governing party among men (45% to 40%) and voters aged 18-to-34 (40% to 34%).

“Over the summer, the BC Conservatives have dropped five points among decided voters aged 55 and over,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The BC New Democrats have gained in this demographic by the same margin.”

The BC NDP is ahead on Vancouver Island (52% to 26%), while the BC Conservatives hold the upper hand in Northern BC (53% to 32%). The two parties are tied in the Fraser Valley (45% each), and the New Democrats are barely ahead in Metro Vancouver (42% to 40%) and Southern BC (47% to 45%).

A majority of British Columbians (54%, +2) would “definitely” or “probably” consider voting for the BC NDP in the next provincial election. Consideration remains lower for the BC Conservatives (47%, +5), the BC Greens (37%, +1), Centre BC (23%, =) and OneBC (22%, -2).

The approval rating for Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby stands at 49% this month (+1). More than a third of British Columbians are satisfied with the way BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan (38%, +4) and BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay (34%, +2) are managing their duties. The proportions are lower for new Centre BC leader Mike Bernier (24%) and OneBC leader Dallas Brodie (18%, -2).

Almost three-in-ten British Columbians (29%, =) say housing, poverty and homelessness is the most important issue facing the province, followed by the economy and jobs (24%, -2), health care (21%, =), crime and public safety (8%, =), the environment (5%, +2) and accountability (3%, +1).

There is a significant age gap when British Columbians ponder the most important issue. Those aged 18-to-34 put the economy and jobs at the top of the list (32%), those aged 35-to-54 select housing, homelessness and poverty (36%) and those aged 55 and over pick health care (34%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 12 to August 14, 2026, among 801 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Canadian Liberals Enjoy 20-Point Lead Over Rival Conservatives

August 10, 2026August 10, 2026By Mario Canseco

Mark Carney has a 23-point advantage over Pierre Poilievre when Canadians ponder who would make the best prime minister.

Vancouver, BC [August 10, 2026] – The governing Liberal Party is enjoying its largest lead in Canada since the April 2025 federal election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 47% of decided voters across Canada would support the Liberal candidate in their constituency in a federal election, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May.

The Conservative Party remains in second place with 27% (-4), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 10% (-1), the Bloc Québécois with 6% (-1), the Green Party with 5% (+2), the People’s Party with 4% (+3) and other parties and independent candidates with 1% (=).

“More than half of female decided voters in Canada (51%) are supporting the Liberal Party,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The governing party is also ahead among male decided voters (43%).”

The Liberals lead the Conservatives among Generation Z (36% to 28%) and Millennials (37% to 30%). The advantage for the governing party is larger among Generation X (50% to 29%) and Baby Boomers (63% to 16%).

More than two-in-five decided voters in British Columbia (45%), Ontario (46%), Quebec (49%) and Atlantic Canada (56%) would cast a ballot for Liberal candidates. The Conservatives have a six-point lead in Alberta (42% to 36%).

Almost three-in-five Canadians (59%, +3) approve of the way Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney is managing his duties. The approval rating is lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (38%, =), Green leader Elizabeth May (37%, +5), NDP leader Avi Lewis (32%, +1), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (28%, +3) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (22%, +2).

On the “Preferred Prime Minister” question, Carney holds a 23-point lead over Poilievre (45% to 22%), with the remaining federal party leaders in single digits.

The economy and jobs remains the most important issue facing the country for Canadians (25%, +3), followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (23%, +3), health care (14%, -1), Canada-U.S. Relations (12%, -4) and immigration (9%, +1).

As was the case in May, Canadians pick Carney over Poilievre to manage 11 different issues.

At least two-in-five Canadians prefer the current prime minister over the leader of the Official Opposition to handle foreign affairs (51% to 23%), Canada-U.S. Relations (50% to 23%), national unity (48% to 24%), accountability and leadership (47% to 25%), the economy and jobs (46% to 27%), health care (44% to 25%), energy and pipelines (43% to 27%), the environment (41% to 22%), immigration (40% to 29%), and housing, homelessness and poverty (40% to 26%).

The race is closer—albeit with Carney still ahead of Poilievre—oncrime and public safety (37% to 30%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 5 to August 7, 2026, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

1/3 of the Vote Could Suffice in Vancouver’s Mayoral Election

August 4, 2026August 3, 2026By Mario Canseco

Few likely municipal voters held positive views on the recently abandoned Villages Plan.

Vancouver, BC [August 6, 2026] – Three candidates have emerged as the main challengers to Ken Sim in Vancouver’s mayoral election, but many likely voters are still pondering their options, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative sample of municipal likely voters measured favourability for local politicians, positive perceptions of political parties, voting behaviour in the mayoral and Council elections, and perceptions on the Villages Plan that was originally introduced by Mayor Ken Sim in October 2023, but was ultimately rejected by City Council in a 10-1 vote on July 28.

Just under two-in-five likely voters in Vancouver (39%) hold favourable views on current mayor Ken Sim of A Better City (ABC). The rating is slightly higher for former mayor Kennedy Stewart (40%) and Pete Fry of the Green Party of Vancouver (45%).

More than a third of likely voters in Vancouver (36%) hold favourable views on Colleen Hardwick of TEAM for a Livable Vancouver. Kareem Allam of the Vancouver Liberals is next on the list (33%), followed by Rebecca Bligh of Vote Vancouver (31%), William Azaroff of OneCity Vancouver (25%) and Stephanie Allen of the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) (24%).

When likely voters are asked about their impression of municipal political parties, 42% hold a positive opinion of ABC. Three parties are ranked higher: OneCity (44%), the Liberals (48%) and the Greens (51%). The rating is lower for TEAM (41%), COPE (35%) and Vote Vancouver (34%).

Among decided voters in the mayoral race, incumbent Sim is first with 30 per cent, followed by Allam and Fry with 19% each, and Hardwick with 14%. Support is in single digits for Bligh (7%), Azaroff (5%), Allen (4%) and other candidates (3%).

“The presence of many credible mayoral candidates has made it difficult for likely voters in Vancouver to solidify their choice for mayor,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than a quarter of likely voters in Vancouver (26%) are undecided in the election, including 36% of those aged 55 and over.”

One-in-five likely voters (20%) think Allam is best positioned to defeat Sim in the October mayoral election, while 14% select Fry and 11% choose Hardwick. Almost two-in-five likely voters (39%) cannot pick a particular candidate as the favourite to defeat Sim.

In the election for City Council, 42% of likely voters say they would “definitely” or “probably” cast a ballot including candidates representing the Green Party. ABC is second on this question (40%), followed by TEAM and the Liberals (each with 35%), OneCity (34%), Vote Vancouver (32%) and COPE (26%).

Over the past year, only two-in-five likely voters (40%) had seen, read or heard anything about the Villages Plan.

When asked to gauge the proposal based on what they have seen, read, heard or experienced, fewer than one-in-five likely voters (18%) provided a positive assessment of the Villages Plan, while 47% expressed negative views and 35% were not sure.

A final question allowed respondents to the survey to read the overview of the Villages Plan. After being exposed directly to this information, positive views rose by six points to 26%, while negative opinions increased by 10 points to 57%.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from July 30 to August 1, 2026, among 401 likely voters in the City of Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in the City of Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Albertans and Canadians at Odds Over Non-Binding Referendum

July 30, 2026July 30, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five Canadians think the federal government should not allow Alberta’s separation to happen.

Vancouver, BC [July 30, 2026] – While Canadians are split when assessing the possible outcome of Alberta’s non-binding referendum on separation, half of Albertans expect it to usher in a binding vote in the future, a new Research Co. poll has found.

A non-binding provincial referendum has been set for October 19, 2026, in Alberta. One of the questions in this referendum asks: “Should Alberta remain a province in Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”

In the online survey of a representative national sample, Canadians are divided on whether voters in Alberta will choose to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation from Canada: 40% think a victory for the “leave” side on the non-binding referendum is “very likely” or “moderately likely”, while 41% consider this possibility “not too likely” or “not likely at all.”

In Alberta, half of respondents (50%) expect voters to compel a binding independence referendum at a later date, while 30% do not expect this scenario to materialize.

Three-in-ten Canadians (30%, -15 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2025) believe the United States will take steps to annex Alberta as an American state—a view shared by 24% of Albertans (-22).

One third of Canadians (33%) think it is “likely” that the United States will recognize Alberta’s sovereignty if a majority of voters choose to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada, while a smaller proportion (28%) predict a similar situation even if a majority of voters reject holding a binding provincial referendum.

Albertans are less likely to expect a recognition of sovereignty from the United States, regardless of whether the “leave” (26%) or “remain” (also 26%) sides emerge victorious in the non-binding referendum.

If voters in Alberta choose to hold a binding provincial referendum on separation, only 28% of Canadians—and 32% of Albertans—think the Government of Canada should ultimately allow Alberta’s separation to happen.

Majorities of Canadians aged 55 and over (68%), aged 18-to-34 (60%) and aged 35-to-54 (55%) think the federal government should ultimately not allow Alberta to secede.

“More than seven-in-ten Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party in 2025 would welcome federal intervention to stop Alberta’s separation,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “They are joined by majorities of voters who backed the Conservative Party (56%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 56%) in the last federal election.

Public confidence across Canada on all political leaders on the issue of national unity is down significantly from June 2025. Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, -6) trust the Prime Minister of Canada to make the best decisions on this file. The rating is lower for provincial premiers (51%, -8), provincial leaders of the Official Opposition (44%, -7) and the leader of the Official Opposition in Canada (43%, -8).

In Alberta, the rating is highest for the leader of the Official Opposition in Canada (50%, -6), followed by the Prime Minister (48%, -10), the provincial premier (46%, -9) and the provincial leader of the Official Opposition (40%, -13).

Only one-in-five Canadians (20%, =) think Canada would be better off as an American state, while 21% (=) believe their own province would be better off joining the United States and 28% (-1) say their province would be better off as its own country.

In a separate question, one-in-five Canadians (20%, +1) say they would vote in favour of Canada becoming an American state. Slightly fewer (18%, -1) would cast a ballot for their province to join the United States, while just under one-in-four (24%, -4) would vote for their province to become independent from Canada.

One third of Albertans (33%, -1) say they would vote in favour of their province becoming its own country, while 50% (-12) would vote against this idea and 17% (+12) are undecided.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from July 20 to July 22, 2026, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Current Relationship with Canada Still OK for Most Americans

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026By Mario Canseco

Fewer than two-in-five (38%, -4 since January) approve of Donald Trump’s performance as president.

Vancouver, BC [June 15, 2026] – As the United States, Canada and Mexico host the FIFA World Cup, few Americans would change their relationship with the two other North American nations, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, more than three-in-five Americans (63%, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January) think Canada should remain an independent nation, while 15% (+5) would like to see it become a U.S. territory and 7% (=) would welcome it as an American state.

The views of Americans are similar when pondering Mexico, with 68% (+1) saying it should remain independent, 11% (+1) suggesting it should become a U.S. territory and 5% (=) claiming it should become an American state.

At least half of Americans also think Panama (50%, -4) and Cuba (58%, +1) should stay independent, and a similar proportion (54%, -2) want Greenland to remain an autonomous territory.

Americans are twice as likely to say that Puerto Rico should become an independent nation (28%, -4) than an American state (14%, -3), but more than two-in-five (41%, -2) want it to maintain its status as a U.S. territory.

Across the United States, the approval rating for President Donald Trump stands at 38% (-4 since January), with 57% of Americans (+4) disapproving of his performance.

While 84% of Republicans approve of the way Trump is managing his duties, the proportion is significantly lower among Independents (25%) and Democrats (14%).

The Democratic Party holds a five-point lead over the Republican Party in the race for the House of Representatives (38% to 33%). Fewer than one-in-ten Americans (8%) say they would vote for other candidates and 22% are undecided.

The survey also asked Americans about prospective presidential candidates for each of the two major parties in the 2028 election.

Only six of the names tested are regarded as “good choices” for the Republican Party by more than one-in-five Americans: U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance (31%), Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (29%), Secretary of State Marco Rubio (28%), Texas Senator Ted Cruz (25%), the current president’s son Donald Trump Jr. (23%) and Florida Governor Ron De Santis (22%).

Fewer Americans think eight other possible contenders would be a “good choice” for the Republican Party: commentator Tucker Carlson (18%), former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (also 18%), entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (15%), Texas Governor Greg Abbott (also 15%), Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie (also 15%), Missouri Senator Josh Hawley (13%), former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (also 13%) and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (11%).

Among Republicans, the top choices are Vance (67%), Rubio (54%), Trump Jr. (also 54%), Cruz (48%), Kennedy Jr. (45%) and De Santis (also 45%).

Eight people are regarded as “good choices” to become the Democratic Party’s nominee in 2028: former first lady Michelle Obama (45%), 2024 presidential nominee and former Vice President Kamala Harris (35%), California Governor Gavin Newsom (26%), actor George Clooney (25%), New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (24%), former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (23%), Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (also 23%) and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (21%).

Fewer Americans think six other politicians are “good choices” for the Democrats in 2028: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (19%), Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (17%), Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff (also 17%), sports analyst Stephen A. Smith (also 17%), Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (16%) and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel (15%).

Majorities of Democrats think Obama (73%) and Harris (67%) are “good choices”, followed by Newsom (47%), Buttigieg (44%), Ocasio-Cortez (44%) and Kelly (37%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 4 to June 6, 2026, among 1,001 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Surging Conservatives Tie New Democrats in British Columbia

June 8, 2026June 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Almost half of residents (47%) think the province needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to the two dominant ones.

Vancouver, BC [June 6, 2026] – British Columbia’s political scene has tightened following the conclusion of the Conservative Party of BC’s leadership race, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 42% of decided voters (+4 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2025) would support the opposition BC Conservatives in a provincial election, while 42% (-2) would cast a ballot for the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP).

The BC Green Party is third with 9% (-3), followed by Centre BC with 3% (=) and OneBC with 2% (+1).

The BC Conservatives are ahead of the governing party among men (46% to 40%), voters aged 35-to-54 (44% to 39%) and voters aged 18-to-34 (40% to 38%). The BC NDP leads the Official Opposition among women (42% to 39%) and voters aged 55 and over (47% to 42%).

On a regional basis, the BC NDP leads in Southern BC (50% to 41%), Metro Vancouver (43% to 39%) and Vancouver Island (42% to 39%), while the BC Conservatives are first in Northern BC (57% to 23%) and the Fraser Valley (56% to 36%).

“This month, the BC NDP is holding on to 84% (-2) of its voters in the 2024 provincial election,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The retention rate is superior for the BC Conservatives (89%, +11).”

More than half of British Columbians (52%, -7) would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting a ballot for the BC New Democrats in the next provincial election. Consideration is lower for the BC Conservatives (42%, -3), the BC Greens (36%, -7), OneBC (24%, -1) and Centre BC (23%, -5).

The approval rating for Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby has dropped below the 50% threshold (48%, -5). About a third of British Columbians (32%) are satisfied with the way incoming BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay is handling her duties. The numbers are slightly higher for BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan (34%, =) and lower for OneBC leader Dallas Brodie (20%, -6) and Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick (19%, -8).

Just over a third of British Columbians (36%) say they are happy that Findlay was chosen as leader of the Conservative Party of BC—a proportion that rises to 63% among BC Conservative voters in the 2024 provincial election.

Slightly smaller proportions of British Columbians think the Conservative Party of BC is a “free enterprise coalition” (33%, -4 since April 2026) or regard Findlay as a “premier-in-waiting” (30%).

Housing, poverty and homelessness remains the most important issue facing the province (29%, -1), followed by the economy and jobs (26%, +3), health care (21%, -2), crime and public safety (8%, +3), the environment (3%, -3) and accountability (2%, -2).

Almost half of British Columbians (47%, -5) believe the province needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to the BC New Democrats and the BC Conservatives, and just over two-in-five (41%) believe it’s time to bring back the BC Liberals as a provincial political party—including 58% of British Columbians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2025 Canadian federal election.

The survey asked an additional voting intention question in which the BC Liberals were included as a choice. In this scenario, the BC NDP is first with the support of 35% of decided voters, followed by the BC Conservatives (34%), the BC Liberals (15%), the BC Greens (9%), Centre BC (3%) and OneBC (also 3%).

More than one-in-four British Columbians who voted for the federal Liberals in 2025 (27%) would cast a ballot for the BC Liberals in a provincial election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from June 3 to June 5, 2026, among 803 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Little Movement in Canada’s Federal Political Scene

May 11, 2026May 13, 2026By Mario Canseco

The governing Liberals maintain a significant advantage over the opposition Conservatives.

Vancouver, BC [May 11, 2026] – Public support for the governing Liberal Party is still high in Canada, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of decided voters across Canada would back the Liberal candidate in their riding in a federal election, up one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2026.

The Conservative Party is second with 31% (-1), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 11% (+1), the Bloc Québécois with 7% (=), the Green Party with 3% (=), the People’s Party with 1% (-1) and other parties and independent candidates with 1% (=).

More than half of decided voters in Ontario (54%) and Atlantic Canada (51%) would vote for the Liberals in a federal election. The governing party is ahead of the Conservatives in British Columbia (44% to 37%) and leads the Bloc in Quebec (44% to 27%). The Conservatives hold a 16-point advantage over the Liberals in Alberta (46% to 30%).

This month, the Liberals are leading the Conservatives among Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (55% to 26%), Generation X (50% to 35%) and Generation Z (40% to 27%). The race is tied among Millennials (37% for each party).

There is no discernible gender gap on voting intention, with the Liberals amassing significant advantages over the Conservatives among men (47% to 30%) and women (46% to 32%).

The economy and jobs is the most important issue facing the country for 22% of Canadians (+1), followed by housing, homelessness and poverty (20%, +2), Canada-U.S. Relations (16%, =), health care (15%, -1) and immigration (8%, -3).

Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney continues to hold the highest approval rating among all federal leaders at 56% (+1). The numbers remain lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (38%, -1), Green leader Elizabeth May (32%, =), NDP leader Avi Lewis (31%), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (25%, +2) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (20%, =).

“Practically seven-in-ten Baby Boomers in Canada (69%) approve of Mark Carney’s performance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 30% feel the same way about Pierre Poilievre.”

On the “Preferred Prime Minister” question, Carney maintains a 19-point advantage over Poilievre (45% to 26%).

When Canadians are asked which of the two main party leaders would be the best to handle 11 different issues, Carney is ahead of Poilievre on every single one.

More than two-in-five Canadians prefer Carney over Poilievre to manage foreign affairs (51% to 24%), Canada-U.S. Relations (49% to 28%), national unity (47% to 27%), accountability and leadership (46% to 30%), the economy and jobs (46% to 31%), energy and pipelines (42% to 34%) and the environment (41% to 26%).

Carney holds smaller leads over Poilievre on four other issues: health care (40% to 30%), immigration (40% to 32%), housing, homelessness and poverty (39% to 33%), and crime and public safety (39% to 35%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from May 6 to May 8, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,003 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Conservative Leadership Change Heralds Close Election in BC

April 30, 2026April 26, 2026By Mario Canseco

Sizeable majorities of the province’s residents want the Official Opposition to focus on health care and economic growth.

Vancouver, BC [April 30, 2026] – The perceptions of British Columbians on the five contenders in the Conservative Party of BC’s leadership race have not changed dramatically over the past two months, and no candidate would award the party a significant advantage over the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) in a snap election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, the favourability rating for the five people seeking to lead the Official Opposition is similar. Caroline Elliott is in first place (19%, +6 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February), followed by Kerry-Lynne Findlay (18%, +4), Peter Milobar (17%, +4), Yuri Fulmer (15%, +3) and Iain Black (14%, =).

At least one-in-five British Columbians who voted for the BC Conservatives in the 2024 provincial election hold favourable views on Elliott (27%, +9), Milobar (25%, +9), Findlay (23%, +7), Black (22%, =) and Fulmer (20%, +4).

The favourability rating is higher for John Rustad, who served as leader of the BC Conservatives from March 2023 to December 2025 (23% among all British Columbians and 39% among BC Conservative voters in 2024).

The “vote consideration” question also shows no decisive frontrunner among all British Columbians. Just under one-in-four say they would “definitely” or “probably” cast a ballot for the BC Conservatives with Milobar (24%, +4) or Elliott (also 24%, +2) as leaders, with slightly lower numbers for Findlay (21%, =), Fulmer (20%, +1) and Black (19%, -1).

When the perceptions of BC Conservative voters in 2024 are assessed exclusively, Milobar is ahead in “vote consideration” with 46% (+13), followed by Elliott (44%, +5), Findlay (41%, +7), Fulmer (38%, +6) and Black (37%, +2).

In head-to-head contests against the BC NDP in a provincial election, Elliott places the BC Conservatives two points ahead of the governing party (23% to 21%). Milobar and Black are one-point ahead (22% to 21% in each matchup), while Findlay and Fulmer are two points behind (23% to 21%, and 22% to 20% respectively).

In each of these five hypothetical scenarios, two-in-five British Columbians (40%) are undecided, support for the BC Green Party fluctuates between 6% and 8%, and CentreBC and OneBC are each below 5%.

When asked what is the most important issue facing the province, 30% of British Columbians (+5 since October 2025) mention housing, homelessness and poverty, followed by the economy and jobs (26%, +4), health care (23%, =) and crime and public safety (7%, +2).

The survey also asked British Columbians about specific issues the Conservative Party of BC should focus on during the next three years.

More than three-in-five respondents want the Official Opposition to get the government to invest more on health care (81%, +1 since March 2025), foster economic growth in all areas of the province (78%, -2), develop a housing policy that rivals what the provincial government is doing (65%, -5) and get more pipelines built and more energy projects approved (61%, +2).

Fewer British Columbians want the BC Conservatives to focus on banning transgender women from taking part in women’s sports leagues competitions (49%, +7), ending “SOGI-Inclusive Education” (44%), repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) (40%) or reverting the ban on plastic straws (37%, +2).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 16 to April 18, 2026, among 802 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

British Columbians Ponder Future of Provincial Conservatives

April 27, 2026April 26, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half think the province needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to New Democrats and Conservatives.

Vancouver, BC [April 27, 2026] – British Columbians are divided when asked what the party that is currently serving as the Official Opposition should resemble in the future, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 19% of British Columbians would like the Conservative Party of BC to look like the current Liberal Party of Canada, while 18% want it to be similar to the current Conservative Party of Canada.

Fewer British Columbians would like the BC Conservatives to emulate the BC Liberals (13%), the Progressive Conservatives (10%), Social Credit (5%) or the Reform Party / Canadian Alliance (2%).

“More than two-in-five British Columbians who voted for the provincial Conservatives in 2024 (42%) want the party to look like the federal Official Opposition,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 9% think it should attempt to emulate the BC Liberals.”

British Columbians are divided on the legacy of the BC Liberals under Gordon Campbell (1993-2011). While 41% have a favourable opinion of this party, a similar proportion (38%) hold unfavourable views.

The favourability rating is lower for the BC Liberals under Christy Clark (2011-2017) (35%), the BC Liberals under Andrew Wilkinson (2018-2020) (26%) and BC United under Kevin Falcon (2022-2024) (23%).

More than a third of British Columbians (37%, -3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2025) think the Conservative Party of BC is a “free enterprise coalition”, and almost two-in-five (39%, +5) believe the party’s next leader is a “premier-in-waiting”.

As was the case last year, British Columbians are more likely to trust the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) to stand up to the threats generated by U.S. President Donald Trump (51%, -8) than the opposition Conservative Party of BC (44%, -4).

Most British Columbians (52%, +4) think British Columbia needs a centre-right party to serve as an alternative to the BC New Democrats and the BC Conservatives.

More than three-in-five British Columbians who in 2024 voted for the BC Greens (62%) or the BC Conservatives (61%) would welcome a new centre-right party, along with just over half of those who cast ballots for BC NDP candidates (51%).

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (42%) think it would be a “very good” or “good” idea for the BC NDP and the BC Greens to merge into a single political party.

Support for three other mergers is slightly lower: 39% for a party featuring the BC Conservatives and OneBC, 38% for a party encompassing the BC Conservatives and Centre BC and 38% for a party featuring all three organizations: the BC Conservatives, One BC and Centre BC.

More than one-in-four British Columbians (27%) favour the Conservative Party of BC not running candidates in constituencies where OneBC has nominated a candidate, while 34% are opposed and 39% are not sure.

Respondents to this survey were also asked to choose a position that a political party should take based on five contrasting statements.

Almost four-in-five British Columbians (79%, +4) prefer parties where all members are free to vote individually, and just over seven-in-ten (71%, +1) choose parties that acknowledge and help the less fortunate.

Majorities of the province’s residents also select parties that are anti-American (67%, +3), that advocate for more economic and personal freedoms (64%, =) and that acknowledge Indigenous reconciliation (63%, -3).

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Close Race to the Top as Canadians Ponder Best Prime Ministers

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026By Mario Canseco

Almost half (47%) include Justin Trudeau on their list of the worst heads of the federal government.

Vancouver, BC [April 23, 2026] – There is no clear favourite when Canadians are asked to pick the best stewards of the federal government, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Canadians to select up to four of Canada’s 24 prime ministers as the best—and worst—the country has ever had.

Five men are included as the list of “best ever” prime ministers by more than one-in-four Canadians: Pierre Trudeau (30%), Mark Carney (29%), Stephen Harper (also 29%), John A. Macdonald (27%) and Jean Chrétien (27%).

The ranking among male respondents featured Macdonald in first place (31%), followed by Harper (30%), Pierre Trudeau (27%), Chrétien (also 27%) and Wilfrid Laurier (24%). Among women, Carney (36%) is ahead of Pierre Trudeau (33%), Harper (28%), Chrétien (27%) and Macdonald (25%).

Pierre Trudeau receives the largest proportion of “votes” from Baby Boomers (34%), followed by Brian Mulroney with 32% and Lester Pearson with 31%). Generation X puts Harper in first place with 37%, followed by Pierre Trudeau with 34% and Chrétien and Mulroney each with 33%.

Just over three-in-ten Millennials (31%) include Chrétien on their ballot, followed by Carney with 28% and Pierre Trudeau with 27%. Generation Z has Carney in first place (32%), followed by Justin Trudeau (28%) and Macdonald (27%).

On the “worst ever” question, 47% of Canadians give Justin Trudeau one of their four votes. Harper and Pierre Trudeau are tied with 23%, followed by Carney (21%) and Kim Campbell (20%).

Justin Trudeau is at the top of this list among all gender and age groups—and reaches 51% in Ontario and 63% in Alberta.

The survey also asked the questions that Research Co. has tracked since July 2020, which focus on the prime ministers and opposition leaders of the past 58 years.

Harper (17%, +1 since August 2024) is slightly ahead of Pierre Trudeau (16%, -1) and Carney (15%, new) as the best prime minister since 1968, followed by Chrétien (10%, +1) and Mulroney (8%, -7).

Just over a third of Canadians (34%, -4) pick Justin Trudeau as the worst prime minister since 1968, followed by Harper (11%, -3), Pierre Trudeau (9%, +2) and Carney (8%, new).

When assessing recent opposition leaders, more than a third of Canadians believe three of them would have made “very good” or “good” prime ministers: Jack Layton (47%, -5), Pierre Poilievre (39%) and Robert Stanfield (34%, +1).

The rating is lower for Preston Manning (32%, -1), Tom Mulcair (30%, -4), Andrew Scheer (29%, +2), Erin O’Toole (28%, -3), Michael Ignatieff (24%, +2), Stockwell Day (also 24%, -2), Stéphane Dion (23%, -1) and Rona Ambrose (also 23%, -4).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from April 11 to April 13, 2026, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

By 3-to-1 Margin, Niagara Region Residents Reject Amalgamation Push

April 13, 2026April 21, 2026By Mario Canseco

Two thirds of residents think the issue should be put to a special vote in this year’s municipal elections.

St. Catharines, ON [April 13, 2026] – Residents of the 12 cities, towns and townships that form the Niagara Region are unconvinced about an amalgamation proposal, a new Research Co. poll conducted for CUPE Ontario has found.

In the mixed mode survey of a representative regional sample, conducted in early March, more than three-in-five respondents (62%) thought Premier Doug Ford and his provincial government should back off from meddling in Niagara’s local democracy though his hand-picked Regional Chair, Bob Gale and want the people of Niagara to have their say on possible amalgamation based on who they elect as mayors and councillors in October.

Only 19% of respondents think Premier Ford and his provincial government should continue pushing for amalgamation through Gale, who they appointed, and want this decision to be made by the provincial government and the current mayors of Niagara’s 12 municipalities.

The survey was conducted prior to Gale’s resignation as chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara on March 12, following a controversy regarding his alleged ownership of a signed copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

Majorities of both men (58%) and women (66%) in the Niagara Region want to place the decision on amalgamation away from the provincial government—a view that is shared by 60% of Niagara Region residents aged 18-to-34, 61% of those aged 35-to-54 and 65% of those aged 55 and over.

Two thirds of respondents (66%) think the possible amalgamation of cities, towns and townships in the Niagara Region should be put to a special vote during the municipal elections already scheduled for this October—a proportion that rises to 76% among respondents aged 55 and over.

Methodology: Results are based on a mixed-mode (online and telephone) survey conducted from March 5 to March 10, 2026, among 934 adults in the Niagara Region. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender in the Niagara Region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.2 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty..

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Existing Electoral System OK for Almost Two Thirds of Canadians

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026By Mario Canseco

More than half would welcome a move to proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons.

Vancouver, BC [March 12, 2026] – The perceptions of Canadians on the way federal politicians are elected have not gone through a significant shift in the past two years, a new Research Co. poll has found.

Canadians elect the members of the House of Commons through a system called “first-past-the-post”, where a candidate wins a constituency by receiving more votes than any others.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 65% of Canadians say they are satisfied with the “first-past-the-post” system (+3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2024), while 20% (-7) are dissatisfied and 16% (+5) are not sure.

Satisfaction with “first-past-the-post” is highest among Canadians aged 18-to-34 (67%, =) and also encompasses majorities of those aged 55 and over (64%, +3) and aged 35-to-54 (61%, +4).

More than two thirds of British Columbians (67%) and Atlantic Canadians (also 67%) are satisfied with the electoral system currently used in Canadian federal elections, along with 65% of respondents who reside in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The proportion is lower, albeit still a majority, in Alberta (54%).

Almost two thirds of Canadians who voted for the Conservative Party (65%, +7) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (also 65%, +3) in the 2025 federal election are satisfied with “first-past-the-post”—along with 74% (-2) of Liberal Party voters.

Respondents to this survey were provided with the definitions of three electoral systems that are used in other countries.

A majority of Canadians (55%, -1) are in favour of electing all members of the House of Commons through Party-List Proportional Representation, a system in which parties make lists of candidates to be elected, and seats get allocated to each party in accordance with the number of total votes the party receives.

While almost two thirds of Canadians aged 18-to-34 (65%, +3) agree with adopting Party-List Proportional Representation for federal elections, the proportion drops to 55% (-2) among those aged 35-to-54 and to 45% (-4) among those aged 55 and over.

Atlantic Canada is home to the lowest proportion of respondents who are in favour of relying on Party-List Proportional Representation for federal elections (43%). The numbers are higher in British Columbia (54%, -6), Alberta (55%, +4), Quebec (56%, +2), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (also 56%, +5) and Ontario (57%, =).

Fewer than half of Canadians (48%, +2) would support adopting the Single Transferable Vote system, where votes are initially allocated to a voter’s most preferred candidate, and as the count proceeds and candidates are either elected or eliminated, they are transferred to other candidates in accordance to the voter’s stated preferences.

Once again, Canadians aged 18-to-34 are more open to electoral reform, with 56% endorsing a move to Single Transferable Vote. Fewer Canadians aged 35-to-54 (51%) and aged 55 and over (38%) share this view.

More than two-in-five Canadians (46%, +5) would choose to elect the members of the House of Commons through Mixed Member Proportional Representation MMP—a hybrid method that would use Party-List Proportional Representation for a portion of the legislature, and first-past-the-post for another portion.

Support for this system is lowest among Conservative voters (48%) and rises among those who cast ballots for candidates belonging to the Liberals (50%) or the NDP (53%) in 2025.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 11 to February 13, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Double-Digit Advantage for Governing Liberals in Canada

February 9, 2026February 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Mark Carney holds a significant lead over Pierre Poilievre when voters ponder who would make the best prime minister.

Vancouver, BC [February 9, 2026] – The governing Liberal Party remains ahead of all other contenders in Canada’s federal political scene, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 45% of decided voters would cast a ballot for the Liberal candidate in their constituency, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2025.

The Conservative Party is second with 32% (-6), followed by the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 10% (+2), the Bloc Québécois with 7% (+1), the Green Party with 3% (+1), the People’s Party with 2% (+1) and other parties and independent candidates with 1% (=).

The Liberals hold sizeable leads over the Conservatives in Atlantic Canada (54% to 37%), British Columbia (46% to 33%) and Ontario (46% to 38%).

In Quebec, the Liberals are first with 43%, followed by the Bloc with 29% and the Conservatives with 17%. The Conservatives hold a ten-point advantage over the Liberals in Alberta (44% to 34%).

This month, the Liberals are clearly ahead of the Conservatives among both male decided voters (44% to 34%) and female decided voters (46% to 31%). The governing party holds double-digit leads among Silent Generation / Baby Boomers (51% to 31%) and Millennials (43% to 30%). The race is closer, but still with the Liberals in first place, among Generation Z (38% to 33%) and Generation X (41% to 37%).

Just over one-in-five Canadians (21%, -3) say the economy and jobs is the most important issue facing the country right now, followed by housing, homelessness and poverty 18%, -4), Canada-U.S. Relations (16%, -1), health care (16%, +5) and immigration (11%, +1).

Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney holds the highest approval rating among all federal leaders at 55% (-1). The numbers are lower for Conservative and Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre (39%, -8), Green leader Elizabeth May (32%, -1), interim NDP leader Don Davies (28%, =), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (23%, -3) and People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier (20%, -2).

On the “Preferred Prime Minister” question, Carney is 19 points ahead of Poilievre (44% to 25%).

“More than half of Canada’s Baby Boomers (52%) prefer to have Mark Carney as prime minister,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The Liberal leader is also substantially ahead on this question in Atlantic Canada (49%), British Columbia (46%) and Quebec (also 46%).”

When Canadians are asked which of the two main party leaders would be the best to handle 11 different issues, Carney and Poilievre are tied on only one: crime and public safety (35% to 35%).

Carney is ahead of Poilievre on being the best person to handle foreign affairs (48% to 26%), accountability and leadership (46% to 26%), Canada-U.S. Relations (46% to 27%), the economy and jobs (45% to 30%), national unity (45% to 26%), energy and pipelines (43% to 29%), health care (42% to 27%), immigration (40% to 31%), the environment (40% to 23%) and housing, homelessness and poverty (39% to 27%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from February 4 to February 6, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Vancouverites Split on ABC, Like Progressive Voices in Council

February 2, 2026January 31, 2026By Mario Canseco

Practically three-in-five residents think the city needs a Mayor and Council similar to New York’s Zohran Mamdani.

Vancouver, BC [February 2, 2026] – After more than three years of a municipal government headed by Ken Sim and the A Better City (ABC) party, Vancouverites offer mixed reviews on what they have experienced so far, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative municipal sample, 27% of Vancouverites think Sim and ABC may not have gotten everything right, but would keep their leadership to make Vancouver better.

A slightly larger proportion of residents (32%) say Sim and ABC have not kept their key promises and call for a change in leadership at City Hall, but not a major change in policy.

More than one-in-four Vancouverites (27%) think Sim and ABC have shown that their policies do not work for Vancouver and want different ideas to make Vancouver better.

Only 15% of voters who supported Sim in the 2022 mayoral election believe ABC’s policies have not worked for Vancouver and call for a change—along with 44% of those who voted for Kennedy Stewart and 38% of those who voted for the minor candidates who received less than 10% of the vote in 2022.

Vancouver voters elected Sean Orr of the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) and Lucy Maloney of OneCity Vancouver as city councillors in a by-election that took place in April 2025.

More than two-in-five Vancouverites (44%) think we “definitely” or “probably” need more Vancouver City Council members with the kind of progressive and left-wing views that Orr and Maloney represent, while 25% disagree and 30% are not sure.

Last year, voters in New York City elected Zohran Mamdani as Mayor. Mamdani has called for major changes to benefit working class New Yorkers.

Almost three-in-five Vancouverites (59%) believe their city needs a Mayor and Council like Mamdani, willing to make major changes that will make life more affordable, even if they make Vancouver’s elite uncomfortable.

Conversely, about one-in-four Vancouverites (23%) think a socialist mayor like Mamdami is too risky for Vancouver, will undermine investment in the city, and see a return to the soft-on-crime approaches of previous councils.

“Two thirds of Vancouverites aged 18-to-34 (67%) think the city would benefit from a mayor and council like the one currently in place in New York,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 35-to-45 (53%) and aged 55 and over (60%) share this view.”

Across Vancouver, 47% of residents agree with the city eliminating the Board of Parks and Recreation, and placing public parks and the public recreation system under the jurisdiction of City Council, down five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2022.

Seven-in-ten Vancouverites (70%) think the residents of the City of Vancouver should decide in a referendum if the Board of Parks and Recreation should be eliminated.

Vancouverites were also asked to place eight municipal political parties and associations in the political spectrum.

At least two-in-five Vancouverites see four parties as centre right, centre or centre left: ABC (48%), OneCity Vancouver (44%), the Vancouver Liberals (40%) and TEAM for a Livable Vancouver (also 40%). Fewer residents feel the same way about the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) (39%), Vote Vancouver (also 39%), the Green Party (38%) and the Conservative Electors Association (30%).

Just over a third of Vancouverites (34%) brand the Conservative Electors Association as right or extreme right, followed by ABC with 17%, TEAM with 13% and the Vancouver Liberals also with 13%.

Three-in-ten residents (30%) believe the Greens are left or extreme left, followed by COPE and OneCity with 20% each and the Vancouver Liberals with 15%.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 26 to January 28, 2026, among a representative sample of 401 adults in the City of Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Americans Not Keen on Changing Presidential Term Limits

January 26, 2026January 25, 2026By Mario Canseco

In a head-to-head match-up featuring two-term presidents, Barack Obama is significantly ahead of Donald Trump.

Vancouver, BC [January 26, 2026] – The idea of enacting a constitutional amendment that would change the current term limits of American presidents is not popular across the United States, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 34% of Americans support allowing a person to be elected to the office of President of the United States three times (instead of two), while 59% are opposed.

“Just over seven-in-ten Americans aged 55 and over (71%) disagree with a constitutional amendment to allow a president to serve for three terms,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Animosity is lower, but still in majority territory, among those aged 35-to-54 (51%) and those aged 18-to-34 (52%).”

A constitutional amendment that would enable a person to be elected to the office of President of the United States indefinitely is backed by 19% of Americans and rejected by 72%.

Just over a third of Americans (34%) support allowing a person to be elected to the office of President of the United States only once (instead of twice), while a majority (56%) are against this course of action.

This month, just over two-in-five Americans (42%) approve of Donald Trump’s performance as president, while 53% disapprove and 5% are undecided.

Trump gets his best numbers among men (59%), Americans aged 35-to-54 (45%), residents of the South (47%) and Fox News watchers (64%). The president’s approval rating stands at 86% among Republicans, 30% among Independents and 12% among Democrats.

In the generic congressional ballot, candidates representing the Democratic Party are in first place nationwide with 42%, followed by Republicans with 36%.

The survey also asked Americans who they would vote for in the event of a constitutional amendment that would allow a person to be elected to the office of President of the United States more than twice, with Trump representing the Republican Party and former president Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee.

Obama holds an 11-point lead over Trump across the country (44% to 33%). The level of support for the former president is particularly high among women (47%) and Americans aged 18-to-34 (52%).

Trump fares best among White Americans (41%) and Fox News watchers (55%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 13 to January 15, 2026, among 1,002 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Three-in-Ten Albertans Open to Independence from Canada

January 8, 2026January 7, 2026By Mario Canseco

Support for sovereignty is strongest among the province’s residents aged 18-to-34.

Vancouver, BC [January 8, 2026] – The proportion of Albertans who are in favour of sovereignty has increased over the past year and a half, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 31% of Albertans support Alberta becoming a country independent from Canada, up nine points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2023.

Just over three-in-five Albertans (62%, -9) are opposed to independence, while 7% (=) are undecided.

“By a 2-to-1 margin, Albertans currently express a desire to remain in Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Still, the growth of separatist sentiment is significant across some groups.”

More than two-in-five Albertans aged 18-to-34 (42%, +15) support Alberta becoming a country independent from Canada. The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (27%, +2) and those aged 55 and over (25%, +9).

Separatist feelings rose across all three major regions of the province. More than three-in-ten residents of the Calgary Metropolitan Area (31%, +5) voice support for an independent Alberta, along with 29% of residents of the Edmonton Metropolitan Area (+5) and 34% of those who live elsewhere in the province (+11).

Albertans who voted for the United Conservative Party (UCP) in the 2023 provincial election are significantly more likely to back independence (40%, +11) than those who cast ballots for the New Democratic Party (NDP) (11%, +2).

In a separate question, just under one-in-four Albertans (24%, +5) support their province joining the United States, while more than seven-in-ten (72%, -2) disagree and 5% (-2) are not sure.

The notion of Alberta becoming an American state is more popular among Albertans aged 18-to-34 (32%), those who do not reside in Calgary or Edmonton (27%) and UCP voters in the 2023 provincial election (29%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 4 to January 6, 2026, among 703 adults in Alberta. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.7 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

Metro Vancouver Governments Score High on Some Key Services

December 1, 2025December 2, 2025By Mario Canseco

Satisfaction is lowest on public safety, resident engagement and dealing with homelessness and poverty.

Vancouver, BC [December 1, 2025] – Most residents of Metro Vancouver think their municipal administrations are managing eight issues properly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative regional sample, at least three-in-five Metro Vancouverites say their municipal government has done a “very good” or “good” job managing parks and recreation facilities (68%), providing good sanitation services (66%) and fostering artistic and cultural activities (60%).

Five other issues get a positive review from more than half of Metro Vancouverites: protecting the environment (58%), promoting tourism (56%), dealing with transportation (55%), managing development and growth (53%) and enhancing the quality of life of residents (51%).

The satisfaction rating is lower for five other competencies: making City Hall work in a transparent and unbiased fashion (47%), handling finances (46%), dealing with crime and public safety (45%), engaging with residents (also 45%) and dealing with homelessness and poverty (32%).

More than half of Metro Vancouverites (57%) approve of the performance of the mayor of their municipality, while a third (33%) disapprove and 11% are undecided.

“Across Metro Vancouver, approval for mayors is high among men (62%) and residents aged 18-to-34 (64%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among women (55%) and residents aged 55 and over (51%).”

On a regional basis, the approval rating for mayors is highest in Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities (69%), followed by Vancouver (58%), Surrey and White Rock (also 58%), four municipalities in the Fraser Valley (57%), five municipalities in the North Shore (48%) and Richmond and Delta (46%).

Municipal elections in British Columbia use the “at-large system” for elections to council. This means that councillors are elected to represent the entire municipality and not a specific portion of it.

Just over three-in-five Metro Vancouverites (61%) are satisfied with the “at-large system” for elections to council. Residents of Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities, Surrey and White Rock, and the four Fraser Valley municipalities are more likely to be satisfied with the “at-large system” (all at 62%) than those in Vancouver (59%), the North Shore (57%) and Richmond and Delta (48%).

Respondents were also asked about changing existing guidelines to adopt different systems for council elections.

More than half of respondents (55%) support relying on the “single transferable vote system”, in which votes are initially allocated to a voter’s most preferred candidate, and as the count proceeds and candidates are either elected or eliminated, it is transferred to other candidates in accordance with the voter’s stated preferences.

Opposition to the “single transferable vote system” is highest among Metro Vancouverites aged 55 and over (34%) and North Shore residents (41%).

Just over three-in-five Metro Vancouverites (61%) support adopting the “ward system”, in which councillors are elected to represent a specific portion or neighbourhood in a municipality.

A move to the “ward system” is particularly popular in Surrey and White Rock (66%) and Vancouver (64%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from November 14 to November 16, 2025, among 1,501 adults in Metro Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Metro Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.

British Columbians Assess Options for BC Conservatives

November 13, 2025November 12, 2025By Mario Canseco

Dianne Watts, Christy Clark, Gavin Dew, Elenore Sturko and Aaron Gunn do best in test of 15 possible leadership contenders.

Vancouver, BC [November 13, 2025] – Five politicians would allow the Conservative Party of BC to provide a serious challenge to the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) in a British Columbia provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In early October, the BC NDP held a six-point advantage over the BC Conservatives among decided voters in British Columbia

The early November online survey of a representative provincial sample asked British Columbians how they would vote in an election with 15 different options leading the Conservative Party of BC.

With former Surrey Mayor and MP Dianne Watts as leader, the BC Conservatives would be tied with the BC NDP at 21% among all voters.

The official opposition would trail the governing party by just one point under the leadership of former premier Christy Clark (26% to 25%) or current Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew (20% to 19%).

The BC Conservatives would be two points behind the BC New Democrats under two other leaders: Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko (23% to 21%) and North Island—Powell River MP Aaron Gunn (20% to 18%).

The BC NDP would have four-point leads over the BC Conservatives under the leadership of Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West (25% to 21%) or former Transportation Minister Todd Stone (20% to 16%).

The BC Conservatives would trail the BC New Democrats by five points under former BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson (23% to 18%), current MP Ellis Ross (21% to 16%) and former BC United West Vancouver-Capilano candidate Caroline Elliott (23% to 18%).

The lead for the BC NDP is larger if the BC Conservatives are commanded by Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar (24% to 18%), 2024 West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidate Yuri Fulmer (25% to 19%) and former MP and federal cabinet minister James Moore (24% to 16%).

The two worst performing prospective candidates tested are Bryan Breguet, who ran unsuccessfully for the BC Conservatives in Vancouver-Langara in 2024 (23% to 14%), and Langley-Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu (25% to 14%).

More than a third of British Columbians (36%, +3 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024) place themselves at the centre of the political spectrum. Fewer residents of the province say they are centre right, right or extreme right (28%, -2) or centre left, left or extreme left (21%, -1).

When asked about the province’s political parties, more than half of British Columbians (53%, +1) say the BC NDP is centre left, left or extreme left, while almost two thirds (64%, +3) consider the BC Conservatives as centre right, right or extreme right.

The BC Green Party is regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 45% of British Columbians (+2). CentreBC is placed in the middle of the spectrum by a third of the province’s residents (with 39% saying they are not sure), while OneBC is regarded as centre right, right or extreme right by 23% of British Columbians (with 49% saying they are not sure).

The five party leaders yielded results that mirrored the parties they represent. BC Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby is considered centre left, left or extreme left by just over half of British Columbians (51%, +3), while 62% (+4) say BC Conservative leader John Rustad is centre right, right or extreme right.

BC Green leader Emily Lowan is regarded as centre left, left or extreme left by 42% of British Columbians. One-in-four of the province’s residents (25%) say Centre BC leader Karin Kirkpatrick is a centrist, while 19% believe Dallas Brodie of OneBC is centre right, right or extreme right. Sizeable proportions of British Columbians do not know enough about Kirkpatrick (48%) or Brodie (51%) to place them on the spectrum.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 24 to October 26, 2025, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here.