Canadians’ views of the federal government remain largely positive, with a majority expressing satisfaction with the government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Among decided voters, 48% say they would vote for the Liberal Party of Canada if a federal election were held today, compared to 37% for Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party. The New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois each stand at 6%, while the Green Party sits at 2%.
Compared with Leger’s March 2026 measurement, Liberal support is down one point, while Conservative support is up two points.
Most Canadians remain satisfied with the federal government
The federal government continues to receive majority-level satisfaction from Canadians, although the results point to important regional and demographic differences.
Satisfaction is highest in Quebec, where 67% of respondents say they are satisfied with the federal government. It is also higher among Canadians aged 55 and older, also at 67%. British Columbia follows at 61%, while Ontario sits at 57%. Satisfaction is lower in Alberta, at 53%, and lowest in Manitoba/Saskatchewan, at 40%.
Carney’s approval remains steady
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approval rating remains closely aligned with overall satisfaction toward the government. Nearly six in ten Canadians, 59%, approve of his performance to date, while 33% disapprove.
Party preference plays a major role. Among Liberal voters, 97% approve of Carney’s performance. Approval is also above majority level among Bloc Québécois voters at 69%, NDP voters at 64%, and Green voters at 63%. Among Conservative voters, however, only 20% approve, while 76% disapprove.
Canadians are divided on the notwithstanding clause
The survey also explored Canadians’ views on the notwithstanding clause, a provision of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that allows elected governments to temporarily override certain Charter protections.
Familiarity with the clause remains limited. Just under four in ten Canadians, 39%, say they are familiar with it, while 52% say they are not familiar and 9% say they have never heard of it before.
When given a description of the clause, Canadians are almost evenly split: 40% say they support it, while 39% oppose it. Another 21% are unsure.
However, views shift when Canadians are asked about governments using the clause preemptively, before a judicial ruling. In that case, opposition rises: 46% oppose preemptive use, while 31% support it and 23% are unsure.
Methodology
This online survey was conducted from April 24 to April 26, 2026, among 1,521 Canadians aged 18 or older. Respondents were randomly recruited through Leger’s LEO online panel and had the option of completing the survey in English or French. Results were weighted by age, gender, mother tongue, region, education, and presence of children in the household to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian population.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error no greater than plus or minus 2.51%, 19 times out of 20.
