Kenney's approval rating lowest in the country: Angus Reid poll
At 31 per cent, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has the lowest level of support among provincial leaders in Canada, according to a recent poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute
That’s significantly down from when he took office as in June 2019, polling put his approval at 61 per cent.
The latest poll comes after Kenney has endured months of criticism and anger from both sides of the political spectrum over the handling of pandemic restrictions.
Just three months ago, a similar poll found 39 per cent of Albertans approved of his track record.
When asked about the recent poll at a news conference Wednesday on supporting Alberta’s clean energy sector, Kenney sidestepped the question.
"We’re not here today to talk about politics," he said.
"Obviously there has been a very polarized debate in Alberta, more than any other province on COVID, with a large segment of the population thinking that we should have had much lighter public health restrictions and a large segment thinking we should have had much tougher public health restrictions."
Kenney says he’s excited by the Conference Board of Canada’s recent report citing GDP growth in Alberta is expected to climb this year and next, leading the country.
“All I can tell you is I can’t wait for us to open for summer, and get past COVID, to a great Alberta summer, and to start to see the fruits of our economic policies,” said Kenney.
Alberta had among the highest COVID-19 numbers in North America last month as case counts soared.
Kenney himself has even apologized this week for breaking distancing guidelines at an outdoor patio dinner, atop the ‘Sky Palace’ in Edmonton on June 1.
Conducted June 2-7, the nationwide poll surveyed 4,948 people, with 600 being from Alberta. The margin of error was +/- 4 per cent.
Seven per cent of respondents ‘strongly approved’ of Jason Kenney while 24 per cent ‘moderately approved’ of the job he is doing.
On health care, Kenney received an approval rating of 33 per cent, the economy 29 percent. On the pandemic itself he received 33 per cent assurance.
When it comes to finances and economic deficits, the Kenney government received a 26 per cent approval, while the environment saw his government receive a 38 per cent rating.
Of the Albertans polled, 46 per cent say the economy is the most important issue to them, followed by health care and energy.
Respondents were also asked who they would vote for in the next provincial election if one were called today. Of the 600 Albertans surveyed, 502 have already made their minds up with 41 per cent say their intent would be to vote for the NDP while only 30 per cent would vote UCP, another 20 per cent voting Wildrose Independence Party.
Premier Brian Pallister of Manitoba and Premier Doug Ford in Ontario also sit at 33 per cent and 35 per cent approval ratings respectively.
Ford has seen the largest slide as he had 70 per cent approval in the spring of 2020.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.