A new Ipsos poll conducted for Global News reveals that a solid majority of Canadians approve of the federal government’s tough line in the escalating trade dispute with the United States. The survey, carried out on 26‑27 August 2026 among 1,001 adults, shows 63 % of respondents believe Canada was right to stand firm “even if it meant higher costs and job losses,” while only 18 % think the country should have made further concessions. The data also highlights a pronounced generational split, with older voters far more likely to endorse retaliatory tariffs and the Liberals’ overall performance than younger cohorts. The findings have implications not only for public sentiment but also for the current political landscape, where the governing Liberals retain a modest lead despite a notable dip in support among Millennials.
Broad Support for a Firm Trade Stance
The poll’s headline numbers paint a picture of a nation ready to confront the U.S. economically. Seventy‑three per cent of Canadians back Ottawa’s “dollar‑for‑dollar” counter‑tariffs on roughly $28 billion worth of American goods, mirroring the up‑to‑50 % duties imposed by President Donald Trump after trade talks collapsed. This backing extends to a range of punitive measures: 73 % favour tariffs on critical minerals and energy, while 71 % support limiting exports of those minerals and 69 % endorse restrictions on crude oil, natural gas and electricity shipments to the south. Two‑thirds of respondents also approve of an “aggressive” tax on U.S. tech giants operating in Canada, and 64 % would tighten border inspections to slow imports. Even the least‑popular suggestion—allowing the Canadian dollar to weaken naturally to boost export competitiveness—still garners 45 % support. “Canadians are willing to endure economic pain to protect national interests,” noted Darrell Bricker, chairman of Ipsos Canada, reflecting the overall willingness to accept short‑term hardship for long‑term sovereignty.
Age Divide Shapes Public Opinion
The poll’s most striking revelation is the generational rift. While 80 % of baby‑boomer respondents support both the firm stance and retaliatory tariffs, the figures drop sharply among younger adults. Only 48 % of Generation Z and 57 % of Millennials endorse Canada standing firm, and 59 % of Millennials approve of the retaliatory tariffs. This disparity mirrors voting intentions: the Liberals command 44 % overall support, but among Millennials their backing falls to 30 %, with 40 % of that cohort favouring the Conservatives. “The people who were the ‘elbows up’ crowd in the last election campaign, who voted for the Liberals and continue to vote for the Liberals, they’re older, they’re more economically established, they tend to have higher degrees of education, they tend to be more affluent,” Bricker explained. Consequently, older Canadians perceive less personal risk in aggressive trade policies, whereas younger adults, often living in what he calls “the endurance economy,” are more cautious about measures that could directly affect their budgets.
Impact on Federal Politics and Party Dynamics
Politically, the poll suggests that the current trade dispute has not yet reshaped the electoral battlefield in a dramatic way. The Liberal lead remains virtually unchanged at one point since April, while the Conservatives have held steady at 33 % support. The NDP and Bloc Quebecois each gained a single point, now sitting at 10 % and 8 % respectively. When asked whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party would have handled the U.S. trade issues better than Prime Minister Mark Carney, 37 % of all respondents answered in the affirmative, with 67 % of Conservative voters endorsing that view. A sizable 62 % of Canadians would like Parliament recalled before its scheduled late‑September sitting to debate and vote on the response to the U.S., a move Bricker warned could represent “a mere crack” in Carney’s otherwise solid political standing. “Canadians know their institutions actually matter to them,” he added, noting that failing to engage Parliament might be a vulnerability, albeit a minor one at this stage.
Retaliatory Measures and Economic Pain
Beyond tariffs, Canadians expressed robust support for a suite of additional retaliatory actions. Eighty per cent back government procurement policies that prioritise Canadian materials and contracts, and 60 % say they will personally make an effort to favour domestic products, services and companies. Two‑thirds to 80 % of respondents endorse other government‑support initiatives, such as helping businesses diversify into non‑U.S. markets, providing job‑training programmes for workers affected by the trade war, and offering loans, emergency aid, extended Employment Insurance or financial incentives to firms. Notably, 67 % would like to see a major COVID‑era subsidy programme reinstated to support workers impacted by tariffs in both countries, up eight points from July. When asked about personal willingness to endure “significant” economic pain, 52 % of the overall population said yes, but the figure falls to 41 % among Gen Z and rises to 67 % among boomers. “I thought the numbers would be stronger,” Bricker observed, noting that as the list of potential burdens grows longer or more uncertain, support begins to waver, though it remains broadly present.
Why it Matters
The Ipsos findings underscore a pivotal moment for Canadian trade policy and domestic politics. While the majority of Canadians, particularly older and more affluent voters, endorse a confrontational approach toward the United States, younger generations—often more financially vulnerable—are less enthusiastic about the economic sacrifices required. This generational divide could shape not only public debate over future trade negotiations but also the electoral calculus for both the Liberals and the Conservatives as they vie for the youth vote. Moreover, the strong backing for a range of retaliatory measures signals a populace willing to accept short‑term economic strain in defence of national interests, reinforcing the government’s mandate to pursue a robust stance in the ongoing trade dispute. The poll also highlights the political risk of not engaging Parliament, suggesting that any perceived inaction could erode public confidence in the current administration’s leadership. In sum, the survey reflects a nation at a crossroads, balancing collective resolve with the uneven distribution of economic hardship across age groups, a dynamic that will likely influence Canada’s trade trajectory and federal politics for the foreseeable future.