A new opinion poll indicates that a large number of Canadians still believe that Justin Trudeau remains the best man for the position of Prime Minister, but his lead is considered minimal over the new Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. 

Leger released the results of an online poll conducted over the weekend with about 1500 participants. The results indicate that the popularity of the Liberals has declined since a year ago, when Trudeau was re-elected for a second time to form a minority government.

About 28 percent of respondents said they would vote for the Liberals if elections were held today, compared to about 33 percent who said the same in last September. The results suggest that some former Liberal voters are shifting to the left and right.

About 34 percent of respondents said they would refuse to vote for the Conservative Party, an increase from 26 percent of voters who preferred the Conservatives after last year's election. Twenty-three percent of survey participants said they would choose the New Democratic Party, up from 18 percent recorded in the election. Also, three percent of respondents chose the Green Party and another three percent chose the Canadian People's Party.

When it comes to who would be the best Prime Minister, the data indicates that Trudeau has an advantage over both Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party.

Trudeau was the best choice for 24 percent of respondents, ahead by three points over Poilievre and seven points over Singh. The new poll comes 10 days after Poilievre was elected to lead the Conservative Party in a landslide victory, with many in the party hoping it signals the beginning of a united Conservative Party.

The poll indicates that Poilievre has the weakest support in Quebec and the strongest in Alberta compared to Trudeau, who is strongest in Atlantic Canada and weakest in Alberta. The data suggests that Ontario is closest to flipping, with 34 percent of respondents in that province saying they would choose a conservative party led by Poilievre compared to 32 percent who said they would choose Trudeau’s party.