Justin Trudeau Considered Worst Prime Minister in Last Five Decades by 3-in-10 Canadians: Poll

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are assisting in the Alberta wildfires in Edmonton on May 15, 2023. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press

In a recent survey ranking the country’s best and worst prime ministers in the last 55 years, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was ranked the worst leader in recent history, while his father garnered significantly more popularity.

A Research Co. survey released July 21 said that 30 percent of respondents considered the current prime minister the worst in recent history.

Of those surveyed, 20 percent said Justin Trudeau’s father, the late Pierre Trudeau, was the best prime minister Canada has had since 1968. Only 11 percent felt that way about the junior Mr. Trudeau.

For almost half of Canadians surveyed, the late Jack Layton, leader of the New Democrat Party, would have been considered a “very good” or “good” choice as head of state.

Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper was presented an award for his support of Israel at a gala event co-hosted by the Israel Allies Foundation at the Canada Christian College on Oct. 20, 2022. Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times

Stephen Harper was also a popular head of government, with 17 percent of Canadians responding that they felt he was the best prime minister since 1968. Mr. Harper also still enjoys popularity in Alberta, where 36 percent of Albertans believe he has been Canada’s best recent prime minister, according to Mario Canseco, president of Research Co.

Overall, 18 percent of Canadians answered that Mr. Harper was the worst prime minister.

About a third of Atlantic Canadians think Mr. Harper has been the worst recent head of government in Canada. However, Mr. Justin Trudeau’s negative rating reaches 45 percent in Alberta, 36 percent in British Columbia, and 36 percent in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The remaining rankings for best head of government were taken by Jean Chrétien at 11 percent, Justin Trudeau, also at 11 percent, and Brian Mulroney at 8 percent.

Former prime ministers Paul Martin, Joe Clark, John Turner, and Kim Campbell ranked from 3 percent down to 1 percent in the scoring for best recent prime minister.

The late Mr. Trudeau senior fared best in British Columbia sitting at 27 percent, Ontario at 23 percent, and Atlantic Canada at 22 percent.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau is greeted by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher outside 10 Downing Street, London, on June 7, 1984. Chris Schwarz/AP Photo/The Canadian Press

The survey also asked questions about 10 different politicians who served as leaders of the Official Opposition in Ottawa over the past five decades.

Just under half of Canadians—48 percent—said Mr. Layton would have made a “very good” or “good” prime minister, including 61 percent of Canadians aged 55 and over.

Research Co. said that five former leaders of the opposition were each regarded favourably by more than one-in-five Canadians. The list included Preston Manning with 28 percent popularity, Robert Stanfield at 27 percent, Tom Mulcair at 27 percent, Andrew Scheer at 22 percent, and Erin O'Toole, at 22 percent.

Other leaders including Michael Ignatieff, Stockwell Day, Rona Ambrose, and Stéphane Dion scored in the 18- to 19-percent range.

The survey was conducted online between July 4 and 5, and statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender, and region.

Most popular Canadian prime ministers:

1. Pierre Trudeau – 20 percent

2. Stephen Harper – 17 percent

3. Jean Chrétien – 11 percent

4. Justin Trudeau – 11 percent

5. Brian Mulroney – 8 percent

6. Paul Martin – 3 percent

7. Joe Clark – 2 percent

8. John Turner – 1 percent

9. Kim Campbell – 1 percent

Least popular Canadian prime ministers:

1. Justin Trudeau – 30 percent

2. Stephen Harper – 18 percent

3. Kim Campbell – 7 percent

4. Brian Mulroney – 6 percent

5. Pierre Trudeau – 5 percent

6. Jean Chrétien – 3 percent

7. Joe Clark – 3 percent

8. Paul Martin – 2 percent

9. John Turner – 1 percent