Poll finds 6 of 10 Ontarians blame Ford government for labour disruptions
Six out of 10 Ontarians are blaming the Ford government for the ongoing labour disruption involving tens of thousands of education workers that has forced schools to close for in-person learning, a new poll has found.
Conducted by Abacus Data, the poll released late Sunday morning provides a glimpse into how Ontarians are responding to the ongoing contract dispute between 55,000 education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Ontario government.
It was conducted on Friday and Saturday as CUPE members walked off the job to protest a new law that imposes a four-year contract on them and bans striking.
LATEST: 'Frenzied and sleep-deprived' hearing on Ontario education strike continues
"This initial survey of public opinion in Ontario finds that many people are following this issue closely and are aware of the provincial government's actions thus far," the research firm's CEO David Coletto stated in a posting accompanying the findings.
According to the poll, 62 per cent of Ontarians believe the Progressive Conservative government is to blame for the school closures caused by the job action. That number goes up among parents of school-aged children, with 68 per cent saying Ford's PCs are responsible for the ongoing situation.
On the use of the notwithstanding clause to push a contract to the workers, 50 per cent think it was a bad idea compared to 36 per cent who approved. Among parents, 46 per cent do not think the controversial clause should have been invoked, while 42 per cent think using it was a good idea.
When asked what the government should do next, 70 per cent said they want the government "to negotiate a fair deal with education workers" to end the strike instead of continuing with its current approach in which they insist on a lower wage increase for the workers.
"One reason why Ontarians want the provincial government to negotiate a fair deal with education workers is because about half think they don't make enough money," Coletto said, adding that 50 per cent of those surveyed think that education workers are not being appropriately compensated given the rising cost of living.
The poll also found that almost half of Ontarians support other unions walking off the job to protest the handling of negotiations by the Ford government.
Little impact on PC support
While many are pointing the finger at the PC government for the ongoing situation, the poll found that "it doesn't look like the issue is hurting" Ford's support across the province.
Parents of school-aged children are split, with 31 per cent saying they are more likely to vote for the Progressive Conservatives while 38 per cent are less likely to.
According to the poll, PCs would still win another majority government if an election was held today. They have a wide lead among men and people aged 45 and up.
"…while more say they would be less likely to vote PC than more likely to vote PC because of how the government has handled this issue, the proportion of those moving away from the PCs isn't large enough to worry the Tories," Coletto said.
In regards to the public's impression of the premier, the poll found that Ford's image has become less positive since getting elected in June, with 45 per cent having a negative impression compared to the 29 per cent who have a favourable view.
For Stephen Lecce, only 15 per cent has a positive impression of the education minister, while 42 per cent have a negative view.
Background
The survey was conducted with 1,000 Ontario residents aged 18 and older on Nov. 4 to 5.
A random sample of panelists were invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform.
The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Ontario’s population according to age, gender, education, and region. Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING Bank of Canada holding key interest rate steady at 5 per cent
The Bank of Canada is holding its key interest rate steady at five per cent.
Time names Taylor Swift 'Person of the Year,' saying she 'transcends borders'
Taylor Swift has dominated music charts, broken records and is performing in what is likely to be the highest-grossing tour ever -- and she's now named Time's 'Person of the Year.'
Pass federal gun bill without delay, shooting victim's father urges on anniversary of mass killing
The father of a woman who was fatally shot in October by her former partner is urging senators to pass a federal gun-control bill without delay.
Senators were intimidated, had their privilege breached, Speaker rules
Any attempt to intimidate a senator while in the process of fulfilling their duties is a breach of their privilege, even if the effort is ultimately unsuccessful, the Speaker of the Senate ruled Tuesday.
Florida man, already facing death for a 1998 murder, now indicted for a 2nd. Detectives fear others
A convicted murderer already on Florida's death row for the 1998 slaying of one woman is now charged with a second killing that happened two weeks later, with investigators believing he may be tied to even more deaths.
Norman Lear, producer of TV's 'All in the Family' and influential liberal advocate, has died at 101
Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with 'All in the Family' and 'Maude,' propelling political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died. He was 101.
Here is Canada's unseasonably mild December forecast
December is predicted to be unseasonably mild across Canada, thanks to a "moderate-to-strong" El Nino and human-caused warming. Warming and precipitation trends will be stronger in some parts of the country than others, and severe weather is still possible, meteorologists say.
Two Canadian citizens confirmed dead in Antigua: Global Affairs
Global Affairs Canada has confirmed the death of two Canadian citizens in Antigua and Barbuda, news that comes amid reports from local officials that a woman and child drowned last week at Devil’s Bridge.
Nearly 3 in 10 Canadians have at least one disability: StatCan
The number of Canadians with at least one disability has doubled in 10 years, a reality that should push governments to help reduce barriers to accessibility, says the head of a human rights organization.