Re-examining our December cultural alienation survey shows more than one-in-four Canadians (27%) belong to the Alienated, Populist Left.
These results are drawn from an online survey conducted between December 4th and December 14th, 2025, sponsored and conducted by Innovative Research Group. The survey interviewed n=2,159 Canadian citizens, 18 years or older. The results are nationally weighted to n=1,500 based on age, gender, region, education, and self‑reported past federal vote to ensure the sample reflects Census population benchmarks.
While we are in the field looking at Canadians’ response to Avi Lewis’ victory in the NDP leadership race, we took a look at some data from a few months ago on attitudes toward institutions, culture, and alienation. What we were curious to see was – how big of a political lane is there for an aggressive left-wing populist? It turns out to be a substantial one!
There are two big surprises:
- More than one in four Canadians fall into the Alienated Populist Left, three times as many as the current NDP vote.
*These segments are built from 6 questions measuring trust in institutions and elites. See the linked report for more details. - With 46% of the Alienated Populist left voting CPC, and only 14% NDP, Lewis could be more trouble to Poilievre than to Carney.
*These three segments are shown as the NDP draws next to no support in the other two, right-leaning segments. Full breakdown in the linked report.
The challenge to Lewis is the focus of the Alienated Populist Left on bread and butter issues rather than an ideologically ‘progressive’ agenda. The big question moving forward is whether issues like Lewis’ anti-pipeline position limit his growth among voters on the populist left, or if Poilievre’s ongoing focus on pocketbook issues maintains its appeal – and current vote share. We’ll be revisiting this with new data that includes Mr. Lewis and his image and impact on things in the near future – watch this space!
