Poll finds approval for Ford and David Eby has risen since June amid escalating Canada-U.S. trade war

An Angus Reid Institute poll released Sept. 16 found that approval for Ontario Premier Ford and B.C. Premier David Eby has risen since June as the Canada-U.S. trade war intensifies. Both gained 10 percentage points, bringing Ford to 31 per cent and Eby to 41 per cent. Ford nevertheless remains the lowest-rated premier in the country.

The poll said escalating trade tensions helped Ford’s popularity in March 2025 and may also be benefiting Eby politically. It said Eby could also benefit from being seen as a better option than B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, whose caucus has splintered less than three months into her leadership.

Unlike last year, when a previous poll found most premiers’ personal popularity rising, the survey said few appear to be benefiting this time from Canada-U.S. trade tensions. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew had the highest approval rating at 63 per cent, up one point. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe were tied at 48 per cent, each down two points. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette remained at 39 per cent, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith fell one point to 38 per cent.

The survey noted that Smith’s governing United Conservative Party is dealing with the aftermath of a surprise byelection loss in a conservative stronghold, weeks before Alberta referendums on separation and other issues. It said Fréchette had built little momentum as the governing Coalition Avenir Québec prepares to face a resurgent Parti Québécois in next month’s election.

The Angus Reid Institute conducted the online survey of a randomized sample of 4,310 Canadian adults from Sept. 8 to 15, 2026. Provincial margins of error range from plus or minus three per cent to plus or minus seven per cent.