Trudeau Could Play Electoral Split on Red Ink to His Advantage

  • Poll shows Canadians evenly divided on running budget deficits
  • But results reveal key support groups for PM’s spending push
Justin Trudeau speaks at a Montreal news conference on Aug. 31.Photographer: Andrej Ivanov/Bloomberg
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Canadians are evenly split on whether their government should reduce its Covid-inflated budget deficit, as Justin Trudeau prepares to push the nation deeper into debt.

A Bloomberg News survey this month by Nanos Research found 41% of respondents are in favor of continuing with large shortfalls to provide ongoing support to Canadians, versus 43% who want them to be lowered to at least pre-pandemic levels even if it means fewer benefits.