A recent, random sampling of public opinion taken by Forum Poll shows that the Progressive Conservatives have opened up a nearly 20-point lead over their nearest rival in the province.
The sampling was taken from 1,120 Ontario voters, amongst decided and leaning voters. According to the poll data, if an election were held on Feb. 26, 2017, the PCs would get 44 per cent of the vote, with the NDP receiving 25 per cent and the Liberals getting 24 per cent. The Green Party would account for six per cent of the votes.
The Conservatives now have a clear lead in four of six regions: 905 (47 per cent), Eastern Ontario (49 per cent), Southwestern Ontario (42 per cent), and North Eastern Ontario (46 per cent).
The only region where PCs don’t lead is Northwestern Ontario, where NDP hold the advantage by six per cent (39 - 33).
In 2018 the Ontario Legislature expands to 122 seats. If these results were projected up to seats in the expanded Legislature, the PCs would win 84, the NDP would secure 27, and the Liberals just 11.
Premier Kathleen Wynne has the approval of only 11 per cent of voters according to the poll, and her net favourable score (approve minus disapprove) is a staggering -66, which is six points lower than in November (-60 as of Nov 23).
Patrick Brown has seen his approval drop as well from 28 per cent on Nov. 23 to 20 per cent, putting his net favourable score at -3.
Brown remains a strongly unknown quantity to voters as 57 per cent don’t know whether they approve or disapprove of him.
Andrea Horwath’s approval is down eight percent, from 36 per cent on Nov. 23, but her 28 per cent approval rating is the still highest amongst the leaders of the three parties.
