It seems Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minority Liberals would be in good shape for an election if they end up losing a confidence vote this fall.

Respondents to an online Leger survey are split about the prospect of a federal election this fall, with 42 per cent opposed to the idea and 38 per cent in favour.

But if there were an election today, 38 per cent of decided voters say they would support the Liberals, compared with 30 per cent for the Conservatives, 18 per cent for the New Democrats and six per cent for the Greens.

Respondents also rate Justin Trudeau as the best leader to manage the pandemic-induced, super-sized deficit, care for Canadians and keep them safe from a second wave of the pandemic.

The prime minister spoke on the phone Monday with the new Conservative leader Erin O’Toole. The two are said to have talked about the challenges of a leadership campaign in addition to the proroguing of parliament.

Longtime Liberal strategist Bob Richardson told Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, O’Toole will be a leader to take much more seriously than Andrew Scheer.

“We got sort of a bye in the last election,” Richardson explained, “That will not be happening in the next election. We’re going to have to up our game. We’re going to have to work harder, be smarter, less unforced errors, because there is better, more confident, more polished leadership in the conservative party.” Listen for the full conversation with Fight Back’s Strategy Panel by clicking here.

Erin O’Toole faces reporters Tuesday for the first time since winning his new position early Monday morning.

After setting motion staffing changes Monday, O’Toole turns next to his 121-member Conservative caucus to pull together the team he’ll have around him on the front benches in the House of Commons this fall.