January 23, 2023 — Pollara Strategic Insights’ poll of Canadians shows no consensus on who Canada’s Greatest Prime Minister was, though Pierre Trudeau (11%) and Stephen Harper (10%) picked up the most votes.
Both Trudeau and Harper are polarizing figures, as Trudeau was the choice of 23% of Liberal voters but few Conservatives, and Harper was the choice for 26% of Conservatives but hardly anyone else.
Trudeau and Harper are followed on the list by John A. Macdonald (6%), Brian Mulroney (6%), Jean Chretien (5%), Lester B. Pearson (5%), and Justin Trudeau (5%). Meanwhile, long-serving PMs like Wilfrid Laurier (3%) and Mackenzie King (2%) who predated most Canadians alive today were largely overlooked.
Regionally, Pierre Trudeau topped the list in most provinces, with Harper in front in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and Mulroney chosen most by Quebecers.
See the full details in our report.
