OTTAWA: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural federal budget has garnered broad public support that transcends typical party and provincial divisions, according to a new Leger survey. The poll indicates strong public approval for many of the key proposals outlined in the budget, which was presented on November 4th.
The budget projects a $78.3 billion deficit for the current fiscal year and introduces new, multi-billion dollar initiatives designed to shift the Canadian economy away from its traditional reliance on the United States.
While the support is encouraging for the Carney government, Leger economists issued a stern warning: the failure to deliver immediate intervention and decisions on crucial infrastructure and housing construction projects, which Canadians are keenly watching, could lead to severe consequences, including heightened regional tensions.
Survey results highlighted strong national support for several major spending items:
- A significant 76% of respondents approved of the $51 billion, 10-year regional infrastructure fund announcement. Support was highest among NDP voters, reaching 90%.
- Efforts to reduce immigration levels received approval from 74% of the public. This move was strongly backed by Conservative Party voters, with 85% supporting the decision. Regionally, the policy received higher-than-average support in Ontario (77%) and Atlantic Canada (80%).
- The plan to modernize Canada’s military received support from 60% of those surveyed.
- An announcement aimed at controlling (or reducing) public service growth was favoured by 55% of respondents.
Despite the fact that several major budget items secured widespread support across the country, Leger states that the government must take immediate action to maintain this confidence and prevent political repercussions from regional discontent.
