Premier Doug Ford is no longer the least-popular provincial leader in Canada.

Angus-Reid, in its latest opinion poll, has the Ontario Premier’s approval rating at 48% – a 14% increase since December’s survey.

Many respondents support Ford’s response to the U.S. trade threats.

“The three-term premier has appeared on U.S. television repeatedly and briefly implemented a 25-per-cent tariff on energy exports to American states before reversing that decision to avoid escalating counter-tariffs,” says survey states.

Ford’s approval rating is the best since the pandemic when it soared to as high as 69 percent.

He hovered around the 30% mark for much of 2024.

Ford’s popularity is tempered by his decision to call an early election in February.

Most Ontarians believed it was unnecessary and self-serving as Ford won a third-straight majority government.

Ford’s increase is the second highest among all premiers.

Newfoundland-Labrador’s Andrew Furey enjoyed a 22% increase in his rate to sit at 68%, the highest amongst all premiers.