ELECTION DAY HAS COME AND GONE…WHY DID CANADIANS VOTE THE WAY THEY DID?
We asked Canadians which parties they considered voting for, why they voted for the party they chose, what they think about the results and more.
We are also proud to announce that Leger was the most accurate polling firm for the 2021 Canadian federal election. We have valued being able to provide Canadians with relevant data about this important moment for Canada.
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DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE.
THE 2021 FEDERAL ELECTION: THE AFTERMATH
“With voter participation in last week’s election the lowest in a decade, we looked at what motivated (and didn’t motivate) voters to cast a ballot last Monday. It turns out that motivations vary depending on who Canadians voted for. Liberal and Conservative voters were primarily motivated to stop each other from forming government. NDP voters felt most in sync with that party’s policies, and Bloc voters voted to defend Quebec’s interests.
Among non-voters, almost one-quarter said they felt their vote would not make a difference. Whether the results will do much to change that sentiment any time soon remains to be seen.” – Andrew Enns, Executive Vice-President
- Among Canadians who did not vote in the 2021 federal election, they say the top reasons they did not do so are because they are indifferent/never vote (29%) or because their vote does not change anything (24%).
- Among Canadians who voted in the 2021 federal election*:
- 45% considered voting for the Liberal Party
- 44% considered voting for the Conservative Party
- 42% considered voting for the NDP
- 14% considered voting for the Green Party
- 12% considered voting for the PPC
- 9% of Albertans/Saskatchewanians considered voting for the Maverick Party
*Maverick Party was only asked to AB/SK residents
- 27% of Canadians who stated which party they voted for in the 2021 federal election say they voted against another party/strategically.
- 44% of Canadians who stated which party they voted for in the 2021 federal election voted for the party. 29% voted for the party leader and 27% voted for their local candidate.
- 83% of Canadians who voted in the 2021 federal election voted for their original choice, while 17% switched to their final choice over the course of the campaigns.
- The main reason Canadians voted for each party are:
- Among Liberal voters, to avoid a Conservative government (25%)
- Among Conservative voters, to get rid of the Liberal government (39%)
- Among NDP voters, because the party best represents their values and beliefs (48%)
- Among Bloc Québécois voters (Quebec only), because the party is there to defend Quebec’s interests (35%)
METHODOLOGY
This web survey was conducted from September 24, 2021 to September 26, 2021 with 1,537 Canadians 18 years of age or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel.
For comparison, a probability sample of 1,537 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
THIS REPORT CONTAINS THE RESULTS FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND MORE!
- As you know, Canadians elected a Liberal minority government. Please choose the statement that best represents how you feel about the outcome of the election.
- What is the main reason why you did not vote?
- Did you consider voting for the following parties at any time during the election campaign?
- Which sources did you most often use to keep yourself informed about the election campaign announcements and events? Please select the 2 that you personally used most often to keep yourself informed.
- What is the main reason you voted…?