The summer is a pivotal season for Prime Minister Mark Carney as the United States-Canada trade relationship enters a forced inflexion point with the scheduled joint review of the CUSMA agreement, which U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened to blow up, said Angus Reid Institute.
Prime Minister Carney enters this period as the "grace benefitted" to his renewed Liberal government from Canadians appears to be waning, noted Angus Reid.
New data released on Friday from non-profit Angus Reid finds approval of Carney dipping to 55%, the third straight decline measured by ARI data since the peak of Carney's popularity in February, when it was at 63%.
The decline comes as persistent domestic concerns -- cost of living (61% select it as a top issue), health care (39%) and housing affordability (25%) -- dominate among Canadians' priorities, which contrasts with some of the main recent focal points of Carney's government, including Artificial Intelligence strategy and national unity, added Angus Reid.
Some 55% of Canadians say they approve of the performance of the prime minister and three-in-ten (31%) believe the country is on the right track. This suggests that although there are many who like Carney and his policies, he is yet to convince most in Canada that he is steering it in the right direction, according to Angus Reid.