Houston’s approval rating sinks amid budget cuts: Poll
Posted Mar 18, 2026 10:50:26 AM.
Last Updated Mar 18, 2026 07:23:12 PM.
According to a new poll from the Angus Reid Institute, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has seen a significant shift in his approval rating.
The poll released on Wednesday shows the premier’s popularity is now at its lowest point since the Houston government took on the top job.
The non-profit research foundation conducted the poll among a random sample of adults from March 11 to 17.
The results show that Houston’s approval rating has sunk 11 points to sit at 39 per cent.
The poll suggests that many Nova Scotians may be taking issue with his government’s $1.2 billion dollar deficit budget, released last month.
Among the cuts were millions of dollars going towards grants aimed at arts, heritage and other programs.
Those cuts sent surprised Nova Scotians out to protest in the days and weeks following the budget announcement, a move that last week motivated Houston to restore around $53 million in funding for disabilities and seniors’ supports, as well as some programs for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities.
Among all leaders, Houston’s decline was by far the largest in the poll.
Conversely, Manitoba’s Wab Kinew saw the highest jump of three points, putting him comfortably atop all premiers in terms of approval at 61 per cent.
Only New Brunswick’s Susan Holt and Scott Moe in Saskatchewan join Kinew in receiving majority approval among their constituents.
However, Houston wasn’t alone in his decline either, with polling showing Ontario’s Doug Ford with just a 31 per cent approval rating amid a three-point drop.
