While Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the snap election citing a threat from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, a new Nanos survey reveals that healthcare is the top concern for Ontarians heading to the polls. The survey indicates that the economy and healthcare are the most influential factors in voters' decisions, overshadowing the trade dispute with the U.S. The election campaign has seen parties prioritize healthcare, particularly addressing the shortage of family doctors across the province.
A vote sign is displayed outside a polling station during advanced voting in the Ontario provincial election in Carleton Place, Ont., on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford called an early election over the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump ’s tariffs. However, according to a new Nanos survey commissioned by CTV News, dealing with the American president is not the most pressing issue for many voters. The survey finds 28.
1 percent of Ontarians say healthcare is the important issue that will influence how they will cast their ballot in this provincial election. Another 21.5 percent say a provincial party’s plan for the economy will be a factor in their decision on who to vote for. Meanwhile, dealing with President Trump ranks third, with 14.2 percent of Ontarians saying that their vote will hinge on that issue. “Although the rationale to call the election was Trump, only 14 percent of Ontarians believe that is the most important issue that would influence their vote,” Nanos Research Chief Data Scientist Nik Nanos said in a statement. “Ontarians want to hear about healthcare and jobs. Dealing with Trump as a key factor influencing voters, does not rank first in any region or demographic group.”The Feb. 27 vote is more than a year ahead of the fixed June 2026 election. Despite having a majority government, Ford decided to call the election in a bid to deal with the impact of Trump’s tariffs, which he suggested would result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of Ontario jobs. The 25 percent tariff on almost all Canadian goods was scheduled to take effect on Feb. 4, but an eleventh-hour meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau averted the trade war. While the economic threat has eased, the election campaign has seen parties release their plans for healthcare, all mainly focusing on addressing the lack of family doctors in the province. The issue recently became front and centre after hundreds lined up in a rural Ontario town braving the cold and snowy conditions with the hope of getting into the roster of a new family doctor. On the first day of the election campaign, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) released an open letter to all party leaders to prioritize the health of Ontarians. “Our healthcare system is in crisis,” the OMA wrote, noting that 2.5 million people in Ontario do not have a family doctor, and that number is expected to climb to over 4 million in a year. “Let’s ensure that whether you live in northern and rural Ontario, or in an urban centre, everyone in this province has access to physician care.”The latest Nanos polling shows the Progressive Conservatives have a comfortable lead over the Ontario Liberals, with Ford as the preferred choice for premier among many voters.Nanos conducted a random survey of 904 Ontarians 18 years old and over recruited via an RDD dual frame (cell- and land-line). One half of the sample is administered the questionnaire by telephone and one half are administered the same questionnaire online. Opposition parties say Doug Ford is violating the caretaker convention with his trip to Washington. Here’s what that means
ONTARIO ELECTION HEALTHCARE ECONOMY DONALD TRUMP DOUG FORD Nanos SURVEY
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