Top election issues shifting from U.S. threats to affordability, health care, Vote Compass data suggests

The recent Vote Compass data has shown a shift in priorities for Canadian voters as the election campaign progresses. Initially, the main focus was on Canada-U.S. relations, with 25.2 per cent of respondents considering it the most important issue. However, after the party leaders’ debates, only 19.6 per cent still viewed this as the top priority.

Now, the economy and finances have taken the lead, with 24.7 per cent of respondents highlighting it as their primary concern. This shift has brought other issues to the forefront as well. Affordability and the cost of living, for example, saw a significant increase from 10 per cent to 12 per cent post-debates. Health care, emphasized by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh during the debates, also saw a rise from six per cent to eight per cent.

Other issues gaining prominence include housing, social justice, immigration, the environment, education, and crime. On the other hand, government operations, military and defense, social welfare, and foreign relations have decreased in importance for voters.

All three major parties – the Liberals, NDP, and Conservatives – have released their costed platforms, with a focus on the economy. The Liberals aim to boost investment, while the Conservatives plan to cut taxes by reducing government spending and increasing revenue from various sources. The NDP has pledged to invest in health care and tax the wealthy.

Criticism has been directed towards Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s platform, particularly for including potential revenue streams in deficit calculations. Experts have raised concerns about this approach, with former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page giving the Conservatives a passing grade for their budgeting practices.

Despite the slight decrease in the gap between the Liberals and Conservatives in voter intentions, the Liberals remain ahead at around 43 per cent, according to CBC’s Poll Tracker.

Overall, the evolving priorities of Canadian voters reflect a broader range of concerns beyond Canada-U.S. relations. As the campaign continues, it will be interesting to see how these issues shape the outcome of the election.