05.28.2020 07:18 AM

Premier Premiers: Ford, Horgan up

Seven-in-ten residents approve of British Columbia’s John Horgan (71%) and Ontario’s Doug Ford (69%). Ford, until now, has never held majority approval since his election – an uptick likely attributable to a change in character some have dubbed the “new Doug Ford”. From segments aimed to reduce stress during the pandemic, like “Cooking with Doug”, to auto-tuned songs of his speeches, Ontarians have seen a different side of their premier. Perhaps most importantly, previous ARI polling shows that most Ontarians are satisfied with his coronavirus response, with nine-in-ten saying he has done a “good job”.

Likewise, Horgan’s job performance managing the coronavirus outbreak on the west coast, sees a recovery after a dip in approval due to the Wet’suwet’en protests against the Coastal Gaslink pipeline that shook his province earlier in the year.

8 Comments

  1. Steve T says:

    Much like the inevitable bump that leaders experience during wartime, COVID has been an approval bonanza for our leaders. These situations provide a singular focus, which the general population tends to like – rather than the complex and messy management of the economy and everyday life.

    War and disease also tend to neuter the willingness of the opposition to criticize the government, lest they be seen as unpatriotic (war) or insensitive (disease).

    Not that any leader would intentionally protract the COVID situation for their own benefit, but it almost certainly is operating in their subconscious when making decisions. The limelight, good approval ratings, and unchallenged daily briefings are very intoxicating, I’m sure.

  2. Douglas W says:

    In vote rich Ontario and Quebec, what kind of “voice” will Premiers Ford and Legault have, should Justin call an election in the Fall?

    Will they stay on the sidelines?
    Or, will they throw their political capital behind a particular party?

    • Douglas,

      Ford is bound to back the cousin but Legault won’t be caught endorsing any federal party. He knows a strategic blunder of the highest order when he sees it.

  3. PJH says:

    I’ve voted across the board in British Columbia, but I think this is one of the best gov’ts BC has had since the days of Wacky Bennett. Mr. Horgan’s best attribute is that he has wisely stood back and let the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, handle the CoVid19 file, and they have handled it ably. Dr. Henry was recently honoured by the Gitxsan people with the honorific name “Gyatsit sa ap dii’m,” meaning ” one who is calm among us” I can’t think of a more fitting title for the good Dr. Henry. If Mr. Horgan wins a majority in the upcoming provincial election(and I hope he does), I think he can credit the good Dr. Henry for a good share of the win.

  4. Brad says:

    I have no doubt that if Doug Ford had not won the last election and was opposition leader in Ontario, he would be screaming to open up the province.

    However he won, and with that comes responsibility, and I think Doug has grown and learned a lot. He is now responsible for peoples lives. I hope when this is over he forgets about stickers on gas pumps.

  5. Walter says:

    Interesting that Legault has by far the worst results and yet 2nd best polling.
    Also, Manitoba and Newfound Land are 2 of the 3 best provinces – and the worst polling.
    BC and Alberta have virtually equivalent records on COVID, yet their polling is very different (3rd best vs. 2nd worst).

    Is this all due to biased reporting of the news?

    • Steve Maudsley says:

      Kenney has been a disappointment. I expected someone who would be more forceful in standing up to the Federal government to defend Alberta’s interests. That has not yet happened. Alberta is overspending. So far any cuts have been minimal. His government has quietly increased taxes by ending the indexation of tax rates and eliminating some credits.

      If an election were held today, I would still vote UCP but only because they are better than the alternative (the NDP). That is not a strong endorsement.

  6. Doug says:

    Kenney inherited a mess from Notley who did little to address the mess dumped at her feet. The ball has bounced the wrong way for Kenney on virtually every issue: COVID, OPEC+ price war, rail blockades, Keystone XL delays, Trudeau re-election. His modest spending restraint has met with disproportionate outcry. Perhaps the Klein approach of ripping off the Band-Aid with say 10% haircuts to all public sector compensation would be the way to go as the backlash wouldn’t be any worse. AB likely needs a PST but it also needs to address significant over funding of health and education relative to other provinces.

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