New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute (online survey of 1,770 Canadian adults, July 25–27, 2026) finds climate change returning to the political agenda as wildfires burn across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. The proportion of Canadians naming climate change and the environment a top issue has risen from 14 to 21 per cent in four months — a 50 per cent increase — with the jump concentrated among Canadians under 45.
The release ties that shift directly to NDP gains. The Liberal lead over the Conservatives has narrowed to four points (40% to 36%); compared with February, the Liberals are down five and the NDP up four. Three-quarters of 2025 Liberal voters say they would return to the party, but 15 per cent have moved to the NDP and three per cent to the Greens — roughly one-in-five 2025 Liberals now supporting a more left-leaning option. Liberal-to-NDP switchers are twice as likely to name climate change a top concern (50% to 27%) and more than three times as likely to name inequality (34% to 10%). Carney’s approval among that group is 57 per cent approve to 31 per cent disapprove, against 97 per cent approval among Liberals who would stay.
Climate does not rank in the top five issues for current Liberal voters, but it is the top issue for 49 per cent of current NDP supporters and 33 per cent of Bloc supporters. Carney’s overall approval sits at 51 per cent, down nine points from his February high of 60.
On leaders, the release notes that Avi Lewis, who won the NDP leadership in March, “remains relatively unknown compared to other major party leaders” but has gained traction with the party’s growing base: more than two-thirds (66%) of current NDP supporters view him favourably. Pierre Poilievre remains at 60 per cent unfavourable, 33 per cent favourable.
Full write-up, charts, methodology, and data tables at the source link above.