- Satisfaction with the performance of provincial governments is low across the region.
- Satisfaction with the federal government’s performance led by Mark Carney is robust across all four provinces.
June 26, 2026
Provincial Government Performance: Results of our most recent Atlantic Quarterly© survey show that Atlantic Canadians’ satisfaction with each of their respective provincial government’s performance is low. In both PEI and NS, a majority are dissatisfied (55% and 59%, respectively), while in NB and NL there is a more even split between those who are satisfied (NB 35%, NL 28%) and those who are dissatisfied (NB 37%, NL 29%).
Reasons for dissatisfaction takes a different shape in each province. In Nova Scotia, criticism combines concerns about fiscal choices, service and cultural-sector cuts, healthcare, environmental/resource decisions, and perceived favoritism toward business interests.
In New Brunswick, dissatisfaction is more sharply centred on deficit, debt, and broken promises, with distinctive frustration over healthcare, veterinary service cuts, and education impacts.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, dissatisfaction is closely tied to early disappointment with a new government, especially cancelled projects, hospital-related decisions, Churchill Falls MOU concerns, and perceptions of weak leadership or continued campaigning against the previous government.
In PEI, dissatisfaction is most concentrated around healthcare, debt, weak leadership, and ethics/scandal concerns.
Federal Government Performance: In contrast to provincial government satisfaction, Atlantic Canadians are largely satisfied with the performance of the federal government. Close to two-thirds of Atlantic Canadians (64%) report satisfaction with the federal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, with satisfaction robust across the region, (PEI: 69%; NL: 65%; NS: 65%; NB: 60%). Satisfaction is driven by confidence in Carney’s management of Canada’s relationship with the United States, efforts to reduce dependence on the U.S. and expand trade relationships with other countries, and perceptions of steady leadership and economic expertise during a challenging period. Conversely, reasons for dissatisfaction are cost of living and affordability concerns, along with concerns about government spending, deficits, and debt.
“What stands out is a clear divide in public sentiment,” said Margaret Brigley, CEO and Partner, Narrative Research. “Atlantic Canadians are expressing growing frustration with their provincial governments, driven largely by local concerns such as healthcare, spending, and leadership, while at the same time showing comparatively strong confidence in federal leadership during a period of economic uncertainty and change.”
These results are part of Narrative Research’s Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey. This quarter, results were collected online using Narrative Research’s East Coast Voice Online panel. In total, 1,614 completed surveys were achieved across the region (NS: n=734; NB: n=495; NL: n=237; PE: n=148) from June 10-17, 2026 with eligible voters. The results are weighted by region, age, and gender to reflect the overall adult population in each province.
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Narrative Research, www.narrativeresearch.ca, is a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Follow us on LinkedIn or at narrativeresearch.ca/news.
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research at 902.493-3830 mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research at 902.493-3834 mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
