Affordability Issues Top Priority for Canadians as Parliament Returns to Ottawa

A recent poll conducted by Ipsos for Global News has revealed that the top concern for Canadians is the reduction of everyday expenses, such as groceries. With 49% of respondents citing this as their top priority, followed closely by inflation and interest rates (45%) and access to affordable housing (39%), the issue of affordability is clearly a major concern for Canadians. During the Liberal caucus retreat on Jan. 25, House Leader Steve MacKinnon emphasized that economic issues would be the government’s main focus this session, with efforts aimed at making life more affordable and housing more accessible.

The Ipsos poll also highlighted immigration as a key priority, with 22% of respondents considering it a top concern. This is a significant shift, as immigration traditionally does not rank among the top five issues for Canadians. The poll suggests that Canadians are linking immigration policy to the housing-supply shortage. Other priorities identified by respondents include homelessness, energy costs, and the dental care plan.

Liberals Gain Ground, but Conservatives Maintain Lead

In terms of political support, the Ipsos poll shows that the Conservatives still hold a wide lead with 36% support, although the Liberals have made gains with 27% support. The NDP currently stand at 20%. This marks the first increase in support for the Liberals in almost a year. However, in Ontario, a battleground province, the Conservatives maintain a double-digit lead with 39% support, followed by the NDP (27%) and Liberals (24%). Quebec sees the Bloc Quebecois in the lead with 34% support, closely trailed by the Liberals at 31%. The Conservatives enjoy a double-digit lead in the western provinces and with voters over the age of 35.

These poll results were gathered between January 19th to 22nd, 2024, with a sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18+ being interviewed online. The Ipsos poll is accurate to within ±3.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadians aged 18+ been polled. Quotas and weighting were used to ensure the sample’s composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters. It is worth noting that all sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, such as coverage error and measurement error.