Most Canadians want Parliament to sit through summer and expect results from the Carney government this year, a Nanos survey reveals.
Public Pressures Ottawa to Deliver on Promises
A new Nanos survey reveals a majority of Canadians want their federal politicians to continue working through the summer, showing rising expectations for results from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly elected Liberal government. The findings come as the House of Commons approaches its usual summer recess, stirring debate about political priorities amid economic uncertainty.
Expectations Rising for Liberal Government
Conducted during the first week of June and commissioned by CTV News, the survey found that 38% of respondents expect “concrete results” from the Carney government by year’s end. An additional 12% anticipate progress no sooner than 2026 or 2027. The Liberal platform, which promised bold initiatives including historic housing investments and middle-class tax relief, has placed the new government under intense scrutiny just months into its mandate.
Canadians Divided by Age and Gender
Perceptions of government effectiveness varied by demographic. Younger Canadians aged 18 to 34 were the most skeptical, with 25% expecting no meaningful progress at all—more than double the rate of older respondents. Meanwhile, 23% of men said they had no expectations of success from the Carney government, compared to 12% of women.
Majority Want Parliament to Keep Working
The survey also explored attitudes toward the traditional summer break for federal politicians. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians said it’s important that Parliament sits through the summer, rather than waiting until mid-September to resume. Support for continued sittings was strongest in Ontario and the Prairies, while Quebecers showed slightly less concern. Nonetheless, a majority in every region supported summer work to some degree.
Budget Delay Sparks Frustration
Adding to the pressure is the government’s decision to delay the federal budget until the fall—a move criticized by opposition parties. The throne speech has also drawn fire for lacking specific economic measures. According to Nanos, 53% of Canadians believe it’s important or somewhat important for the Liberals to release the budget before the fall. That sentiment was particularly strong among men, younger voters, and Prairie residents.
Survey Methodology and Accuracy
Nanos Research conducted the poll between June 1 and 3, using a hybrid method of telephone and online interviews. The sample included 1,120 randomly selected Canadian adults, weighted by age, gender, and geography in line with 2021 census data. The margin of error is ±2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
As summer approaches, the Carney government faces growing public demand to stay in session and act quickly on campaign promises. With economic pressures mounting and public patience limited, Canadians are signaling that political vacations may be a luxury they’re unwilling to endorse.
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