Premier Blaine Higgs speaks during a COVID-19 briefing on December 17, 2020. (CPAC)
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is on the road to redemption, but a new poll suggests there’s still a ways to go.
Results of a February poll released by Narrative Research suggest 47 per cent of New Brunswickers consider themselves satisfied with the performance of the current government.
It claims dissatisfaction highest among residents under 55 years of age and Francophones.
While it’s an improvement from the 31 per cent satisfaction recorded in November, the Tories are still below the 57 per cent announced in August.
An arguably premature transition away from pandemic restrictions last summer triggered a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, which was met with harsher measures and, as a result, widespread criticism.
Poll results also revealed voter confidence is partially restored. If an election were held today, the PCs would garner 34 per cent support, followed by the Liberals with 31 per cent, the Green Party at 16 percent, the NDP holding 11 per cent and the People’s Alliance at five per cent.
However, just two in ten residents prefer Higgs as their Premier. Neck and neck for second place are Interim Liberal Leader Roger Melanson and Green Party Leader David Coon with 18 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.
According to Narrative Research, 545 New Brunswickers were polled between Feb. 9 and Feb. 27. Overall results are accurate to within ± 4.2 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.
