By Canadian Press

Canadians don’t know much about Erin O’Toole but poll finds openness to him

Sep 1, 2020 | 2:02 AM

OTTAWA — A new poll suggests most Canadians know very little about new Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole but his personal qualities and policy positions could eventually give his party a boost.

Fully 52 per cent of respondents said they didn’t know enough about O’Toole to say whether they have a positive or negative impression of the new leader, who took the helm of the Official Opposition one week ago.

Of those with an opinion, 21 per cent had a favourable impression while 18 per cent had an unfavourable impression.

Informed about various personal qualities — that O’Toole was born in Montreal, is bilingual and is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces — a plurality of respondents said each attribute made them more likely to vote Conservative in the next election.

A plurality also said they’d be more likely to vote Conservative when informed that O’Toole is personally pro-choice, supports same-sex marriage, advocates a harder line against China, supports building new pipelines and is opposed to a carbon tax.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

The fact that O’Toole was supported by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney during the leadership contest was the only negative, with a plurality saying that makes them less likely to vote Conservative.

The online survey of 1,521 Canadians was conducted Aug. 28 to 30 by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies; it cannot be assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered random samples.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 1, 2020.

The Canadian Press