Justin Trudeau rated Canada's worst PM since 1968, Pierre Trudeau the best: new poll

Canadians think Justin Trudeau is the worst prime minister since 1968, according to one pollster.

His father, Pierre, was ranked third-worst in the survey, with only Stephen Harper standing between the two dynasts.

But Research Co.’s latest offering found that the ever-polarizing Trudeau Senior was also the most popular of Canada’s recent leaders, with Harper and Brian Mulroney in second and third.

There were major differences between men and women, however, with more than a fifth of the former picking Harper as the best recent PM and 18 per cent of the latter going for Pierre Trudeau instead.

The poll – released by Mario Canseco, the president of Research Co. – found that Mulroney’s popularity had surged seven points since a similar survey in July 2023. Mulroney died in February.

The survey was conducted between Aug. 19 and 21, with 1,002 adults participating.

The net ratings for best PM were as follows:

• Pierre Trudeau – 18% (-2)

• Stephen Harper – 16% (-1)

• Brian Mulroney – 15% (+7)

• Justin Trudeau – 10% (-2)

• Jean Chrétien – 9% (-2)

• Kim Campbell – 3% (+2)

• Paul Martin – 2% (-1)

• Joe Clark – 2% (=)

• John Turner – 1% (-1)

• Not sure – 25% (-1)

The net ratings for worst PM were:

• Justin Trudeau – 38% (+8)

• Stephen Harper – 14% (-4)

• Pierre Trudeau – 7% (+2)

• Kim Campbell – 6% (-1)

• Brian Mulroney – 3% (-3)

• Jean Chrétien – 3% (=)

• Joe Clark – 3% (=)

• Paul Martin – 2% (=)

• John Turner – 2% (+1)

• Not sure – 21% (-4)

“Practically one-in-four Quebecers (24 per cent) think Mulroney is the best recent Canadian prime minister,” Canseco said in a summary published with the poll.

“In Ontario, Harper and Pierre Trudeau are tied for first place with 19 per cent each.”

The survey also found stark geographical differences in attitudes toward the present prime minister.

Majorities in Alberta (55 per cent), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (both 52 per cent) consider Trudeau Junior to be Canada’s worst leader of recent times.

But smaller proportions think that in the Maritimes (39 per cent), BC (39 per cent), Ontario (37) and Quebec (28 per cent).

See the full poll here.