Mark Carney is approaching six months in office as Canada’s 24th prime minister, and Canadians are divided on how he’s doing so far. A new poll of nearly 5,000 respondents found just over half giving him credit for a strong start, while the rest question whether he has delivered on his promises.
The poll results showed 56 per cent of participants saying Carney is doing a good job, compared to 44 per cent who believe he has little to show for his time in office. The 12-point margin points to a slight lean toward approval, but also highlights significant skepticism. Carney officially marks six months in office on September 14, 2025.
Since being sworn in on March 14 and winning a snap federal election six weeks later, Carney has set out an ambitious agenda centered on housing. His government has pledged to nearly double Canada’s annual homebuilding to close to 500,000 units a year, a promise hailed as one of the boldest housing commitments in Canadian history. Supporters also point to economic resilience in household spending, residential construction, and government investment, as well as swift passage of the One Canadian Economy Act to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.
Critics, however, see a more troubling picture. Canada slipped into a technical recession this year, with two straight quarters of economic contraction fueled by sharp declines in exports after steep U.S. tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminum. Carney’s decision to roll back some retaliatory tariffs and pause a planned digital services tax has drawn fire from opponents who argue Canada is giving ground without gaining relief. Doubts also remain about whether the housing target is feasible given labour shortages, high costs, and delays in municipal approvals.
The slim majority of support suggests Canadians are cautiously optimistic but want results soon. Much will depend on whether housing starts increase meaningfully, if the economy rebounds in the next few quarters, and how negotiations with Washington unfold. For now, Carney’s first half-year has been marked by big ambitions, heavy economic headwinds, and a public still weighing whether he can deliver.