Longer-Distance Commuters More Likely to Vote Conservative

Canadians who commute longer distances are more likely to vote Conservative in this month’s federal election, according to a new Ipsos poll released this week.

“Commuters are more likely to say they will vote on October 21, and those who drive to work indicated they are much more likely to vote for the Conservative Party,” Global News reports.  “Close to half (44%) of those who trek at least 10 kilometres to work one way—by car or public transit—would vote Conservative if an election were held tomorrow, while 31% would vote Liberal.” 

The poll gives the Tories a 13% advantage across all commuters, 20% among car commuters, said Ipsos President Darrell Bricker. It found that 72% of employed Canadians commute by car, compared to 17% by transit. Among transit users, 53% would support the Liberals, compared to 25% for the Conservatives.

“If you want to find a Conservative voter, look for somebody in a traffic jam on a highway,” Bricker told Global. “If you want to find somebody who’s a Liberal voter, look for somebody who’s on a train or some other form of public transportation.”

The poll also found that longer-distance commuters are more likely to support the Conservatives—53% among those who travel more than 50 kilometres to and from work, compared to 47% in the 25- to 49-kilometre range and 32% among people who commute one to nine kilometres.

“Commuters are more likely to say they will vote on October 21, and those who drive to work indicated they are much more likely to vote for the Conservative Party,” Global News reports.  “Close to half (44%) of those who trek at least 10 kilometres to work one way—by car or public transit—would vote Conservative if an election were held tomorrow, while 31% would vote Liberal.” 

The poll gives the Tories a 13% advantage across all commuters, 20% among car commuters, said Ipsos President Darrell Bricker. It found that 72% of employed Canadians commute by car, compared to 17% by transit. Among transit users, 53% would support the Liberals, compared to 25% for the Conservatives.

“If you want to find a Conservative voter, look for somebody in a traffic jam on a highway,” Bricker told Global. “If you want to find somebody who’s a Liberal voter, look for somebody who’s on a train or some other form of public transportation.”

The poll also found that longer-distance commuters are more likely to support the Conservatives—53% among those who travel more than 50 kilometres to and from work, compared to 47% in the 25- to 49-kilometre range and 32% among people who commute one to nine kilometres.