The Sunday Magazine

Canada takes a right turn

The recent spate of provincial elections has changed the political complexion of this country. Why has this happened, and what does it bode for the future of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals?
United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney addresses supporters in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

After elections in Alberta, P.E.I., Quebec and Ontario, most of Canada's provinces are now governed by conservative premiers. Some of those premiers have vowed to form "the resistance" to the federal government's agenda, especially on the carbon tax and climate change.

According to the most recent poll, Justin Trudeau's approval rating is now at 40 per cent, lower than Donald Trump's.

Michael Enright spoke to three political observers about what this means for the upcoming federal election, which is just under six months away. 

John Ibbitson is a political writer and columnist for The Globe and Mail. Tonda MacCharles is a reporter in the Ottawa bureau of The Toronto Star and the vice president of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. Jen Gerson is a freelance political writer for several publications, including Maclean's and Walrus.

Click 'listen' above to hear the segment.