A recent Nanos Research poll, commissioned by CTV News and published on Jan. 3, revealed that half of Canadians expressed a preference for holding the next federal election either immediately or sometime in 2024, rather than waiting until 2025. Involving 1,069 Canadians, the survey targeted various demographics, with notable distinctions between men and women and across age groups. According to the poll, nearly half (46 percent) of Canadians desire for the next federal election to take place sooner, with 29 percent wanting it as soon as possible and an additional 17 percent preferring it to occur in 2024.
In contrast, one-third (33 percent) prefer to wait until 2025, 17 percent have no preference, and a small portion (4 percent) are unsure. The preference for an immediate election is notably higher among men (36 percent) compared to women (23 percent). There is also a clear age divide among age groups, with older Canadians aged 55 and older more likely to prefer waiting until 2025 (41 percent) compared to the younger age groups, with ages 18-34 at 26 percent and the 35-54 group at 28 percent.
Regional differences also exist, with residents of the Prairies showing the highest preference for an immediate election (41 percent) compared to other regions. The poll did not report on the desire for early elections compared to political voting intentions.
Additionally, the Nanos Research survey shed light on Canadians’ concerns regarding the cost of living, mortgage payments, and immigration. A separate survey involving 1,006 Canadians aged 18 and older found that 35.4 percent of respondents view the rising cost of living as the top priority for the House of Commons in 2024. This sentiment was most prevalent among respondents from Atlantic Canada (47.2 percent) and least in British Columbia (32.8 percent).
Meanwhile, the Nanos poll suggests a shift in opinion surrounding immigration targets, with a majority (61 percent) expressing a desire for Canada to accept fewer immigrants in 2024 compared to the previous year. This marked an 8-percentage point increase from September 2023. Conversely, only 5 percent wanted to see an increase in immigration, and 26 percent of respondents suggested maintaining the current level.