Canada’s finance minister says the country is on track for a soft landing, with inflation in retreat, interest rates on the way down and no recession in sight.

But Chrystia Freeland is realistic enough to know that a little bit of good economic data isn’t enough to turn around the political fortunes of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration. Polls show his deepening unpopularity – with the public frustrated about the cost of living, housing shortages, crime and a host of other issues.