Trudeau most popular, tax loopholes a problem: Mainstreet

If an election were held today, Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party would be on their way to another majority government, according to the latest Mainstreet poll released Friday.

The Liberals currently have the support of 43 per cent of decided and leaning voters, while the Conservatives sit at 32 per cent and the NDP are at 15 per cent.

Justin Trudeau has the highest approval rating, sitting at 55 per cent, but also has the highest disapproval rating at 40 per cent.

Saskatchewan MP and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has the lowest approval rating at 34 per cent, but also has the highest numbers of Canadians who are unsure what to think of him at. Current NDP Leader Tom Mulcair sits at 36 per cent approval, Bloc Québécois Leader Martine Ouellet at 36 per cent and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May at 35 per cent.

Canadians believe tax loopholes are a problem

The Mainstreet poll also asked Canadians how they feel about taxes, and a large majority of Canadians – 78 per cent – believe tax loopholes are an issue.

“Looking at these numbers it’s clear why the government is not backing down from their proposals,” said Quito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Research. “Canadians do not regard tax evasion as inevitable. Sixty-eight per cent say that government can either do a lot or some to make sure everyone pays a fair share of taxes.”

Maggi said those fighting the new tax provisions have smartly focused on the effects on small businesses rather than how it would affect wealthy Canadians.

When it comes to who’s paying too much taxes, a 55 per cent majority believe the middle class is paying too much. Forty-two per cent believe low-income earners pay too much, followed by small businesses at 39 per cent, high-income earners with 19 per cent and then large corporations with 11 per cent.

Fifty-four per cent of Canadians believe high-income earners and large corporations pay too little in taxes.

Mainstreet surveyed a random sample of 2,000 Canadian adults from Aug. 28-31, 2017, through live interviews, and calling landlines and cell lines.

The margin of error is plus or minus 2.19 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.