Trend shows 'material increase' in PPC accessible voters: Nanos

Trend Line: A potential increase in PPC supporters CTVNews.ca's Michael Stittle and Nanos Research's Nik Nanos discuss federal ballot support, provincial elections and U.S. politics.

Nanos Research numbers show a continuing rise in accessible voters for the People's Party of Canada -- a trend that began in the summer before the 2021 federal election.

On the latest episode of Trend Line, Nanos Research's Nik Nanos said that the percentage of Canadians polled who would consider voting for the People's Party of Canada (PPC) usually sits at around 10 per cent. But as of Feb. 16, that number has gone up to 16 per cent, which Nanos calls a "material increase."

On the ballot question, when it comes to how many Canadians would actually vote for the party as their first ranked choice, the PPC is polling at seven per cent nationally, ahead of the Green party and on par with the Bloc Quebecois.

Nanos said the convoy in Ottawa, and PPC leader Maxime Bernier’s presence at the protests, has garnered national attention for the party.

“What this protest occupation has done is put a spotlight on the People's Party,” Nanos said. “It hasn't converted a lot of new support. Some new support, but not a boatload of new support, or why don't we say 'truckload' just to be tongue-in-cheek."

But the increase in Canadians who would at least consider voting for the party could indicate that remaining in the spotlight might be an important part of the PPC's plans moving forward.

"I think if you're Maxime Bernier or a People's Party supporter strategist, you're looking at this and saying the first objective of that party, if they want to pick up more support, is to be on the political menu," Nanos said. "What's clear is that over the last number of weeks, an increasing number of Canadians have put them on the political menu as an option."