Written by Doug Anderson, Principal.
With the Canadian federal election now officially underway, our Opinion Research + Data team is tracking public opinion in a deeper, more insight-driven way – going beyond the horse race to understand what voters really want the next government to focus on, and how that connects to shifting party support.
Through our latest national omnibus survey, we asked Canadians open-ended questions to better understand how they would set the government’s agenda. What emerged is a clear signal: voters are focused on six key areas. Housing and affordability remain dominant concerns, as expected, but health care continues to rank among the top three priorities, even if it isn’t always front-page news. Rounding out the public’s wish list: jobs and the economy, tariffs and the ongoing trade war, and taxes/spending.
Which area(s) would you like to see the post-election government focus their efforts during their first year in office?
What is especially striking is how party preference maps against these priorities – and in some cases, breaks with tradition. Among those who say affordability should be the main focus, support for the Liberals and Conservatives is evenly split. The Conservatives maintain their usual lead among those focused on taxes and government spending, while the Liberals retain their edge on housing and health care.
But the most surprising finding? The Liberals now hold their largest lead among voters who prioritize jobs and the economy – issues that have historically leaned more Conservative – as well as the new issue of tariffs.
Parties will naturally seek to leverage these strengths and solidify their advantage, which may mean shifting strategies. Besides attempting to discredit their main opponent’s character, campaigns will aim to refocus the discourse around the issues where they’re seen as strongest.
Which area(s) would you like to see the post-election government focus their efforts during their first year in office?
So, what happens next?
Parties will try to change the channel and frame the ballot question in their favour. The Conservatives will push hard on affordability, taxes, immigration, possibly crime, and government inefficiency. The Liberal Party will double down on trade risks and protecting jobs. The NDP will try to make housing the headline – but they’re still searching for a breakout issue or policy solution where they hold the edge.
It’s early days, but the narratives are already forming. We’ll be watching who takes the spotlight – and who fades into the background.
Stay tuned. The campaign is just getting interesting.
Methodology: Earnscliffe Strategies is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) and ESOMAR and as a result, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards when conducting and reporting on public opinion research and adhere to the industry’s Code of Conduct. Data referenced in this release are taken from a recent wave of the Earnscliffe Omnibus and are based on a national online survey of 2,002 adult Canadians conducted between March 13 and 16, 2025 drawn from Leger’s LEO opt-in panel. Results have been weighted to be reflective of the Canadian population. As it involves sampling from an opt-in panel, we can provide no claim of accuracy. For comparison purposes only, results of a random survey of this size would be accurate to within +/-2.2%,19 times out of 20.
