LEGAULT'S GAMBLE FALLS FLAT FOR THE CAQ — A new Innovative Research poll finds that François Legault's resignation has done little to rehabilitate the Coalition Avenir Québec. With a new leader yet to be chosen, the CAQ sits in fourth place with just 14% support among decided voters — trailing the PQ (31%), Liberals (26%), and even the Conservatives (18%). Only 29% of Quebecers say they'd forgive the CAQ's mistakes and consider voting for them again under new leadership, and just 22% say they'd likely vote CAQ even if the new leader delivers meaningful change.

CANADIANS ON FINANCIAL ALERT — A new Abacus Data poll finds more than 8 in 10 Canadians feel they need to stay on guard financially because another economic hit could come at any time. Two-thirds say they feel less financially secure than a year ago and that no matter what they do, they cannot get ahead. 45% say everyday spending decisions are more mentally draining than a year prior, rising to 55% among households earning under $50,000.

PALLAS BC POLL: NDP 42, CONSERVATIVE 37, GREEN 13, ONEBC 7 — David Eby's NDP holds a five-point lead over the BC Conservatives, who are still searching for a permanent leader to replace John Rustad. The Greens, under new leader Emily Lowan, climbed four points to 13%, while Dallas Brodie's OneBC sits at 7%. Pollster Joseph Angolano cautions that the Conservatives' leadership choice will be decisive, and with 54% of BC Conservative voters still undecided on who to back, the race remains wide open.

DAVOS BUMP MOVES LIBERAL NUMBERS BUT NOT YET VOTES — Innovative Research Group finds that Carney's Davos speech reached seven in ten Canadians, with roughly 60% of those familiar with it having actually watched or read it directly. Overall satisfaction with the federal government jumped 11 points post-Davos, and Carney's net favourability rose from +14 to +21. Vote intention, however, shows only marginal movement — a two-point Liberal lead (40% to 38%) within the margin of error. IRG notes that shifts in satisfaction and leadership approval often precede vote shifts, meaning the Conservatives have reason to be watching closely.

BC GETS TOUGH ON EXTORTION — AND THE PUBLIC IS BEHIND IT — A Research Co. poll finds 80% of British Columbians support fast-tracking the deportation of non-citizens charged or convicted of extortion-related offences. 72% want youth recruited into extortion schemes to be tried as adults, and 66% back appointing a federal Commissioner for Extortion Violence Against Canadians. The surge in extortion shootings in Metro Vancouver has commanded rare cross-partisan unity: support for faster deportations reached 87% among Conservative voters, 85% among NDP supporters, and 73% among Green voters.

NEARLY 1 IN 5 EMPLOYED CANADIANS NOW WORK FOR GOVERNMENT — Statistics Canada's January Labour Force Survey shows 4.597 million Canadians — 21.8% of all employed workers — are now in the public sector. The share has risen steadily for five years and is approaching levels not seen since before the fiscal consolidations of the 1990s. The Hub notes that public sector productivity has declined every year since its peak, with inflation-adjusted output per hour falling from $59.80 to $56.80 since its high. Note: the "nearly one in four" framing in the original link overstates the current figure — the correct stat is closer to one in five (21.8%), though it was briefly near one in four in mid-2024 before some correction.