Canadians still trust federal government despite anxiety over COVID-19: survey

(NEWS 1130) — A majority of Canadians still trust the federal government despite anxiety over the pandemic, a new survey has found.

The survey, by Mario Canseco’s Research Co., says 68 per cent of Canadians approve of Ottawa’s handling of COVID-19, a gain of two per cent compared to a similar survey done a month ago.

“As was the case last month, Canadians aged 55 and over (71 per cent) are more likely to endorse Ottawa’s performance on COVID-19,” says Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. “Majorities of
Canadians aged 35-to-54 (68 per cent) and aged 18-to-34 (66 per cent) are also satisfied.”

Satisfaction with how provincial governments in Canada have dealt with the #COVID19 outbreak:

Quebec – 88% (+4 since March)
Atlantic Canada – 80% (+13)
Ontario – 78% (+12)
British Columbia – 72% (+3)
Saskatchewan & Manitoba – 70% (+16)
Alberta – 57% (-8)https://t.co/3DRgK0Wv1E

— Mario Canseco (@mario_canseco) April 14, 2020

Just over a third of Canadians think former prime minister Stephen Harper would be doing a better job handling the COVID-19 outbreak than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, while half disagree with that assessment.

Almost 70 per cent of Canadians are satisfied with how their municipal governments have handled the outbreak. More than 77 per cent feel the same way about their provincial government.

People in Quebec, where 75 more deaths connected to COVID-19 were recorded Tuesday — bringing the total to 435 — still approve of how the provincial government is taking care of them. The survey found 88 per cent of people in “la belle province” approve of the way Francois Legault’s administration is handling things.

“Certain provinces, which have left it in the hands of the health minister and the health authorities, for instance, tend to be doing better than those where the specific head of government is the one who is calling the shots,” Canseco said.

In B.C., where Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry leading the way, the satisfaction level for the handling of COVID-19 is up three points to 72 per cent.

B.C. has recorded 69 COVID-19 deaths and 1,490 cases.

Premier Doug Ford’s administration in Ontario earned 78 per cent support. Ontario recorded 483 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and 43 new deaths.

“The lowest-ranked area is Alberta right now at 57 per cent, so there’s definitely a situation where certain regions are connecting better with their residents,” Canseco said.

“It’s more about delivery than ideology when it comes to these two areas. There’s definitely a lot of people in Alberta who are wondering where things would be better now if they had Rachel Notely in charge, instead of Jason Kenney.”