Key Takeaways
- Canada has experienced a significant shift in public opinion, with a new consensus emerging on key issues such as economic nationalism, military spending, and immigration.
- The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency have contributed to this shift.
- Canadians are now prioritizing economic issues, such as tariffs and inflation, over social and environmental issues.
- There is a growing sense of nationalism, with many Canadians supporting "Buy Canadian" policies and opposing U.S. influence.
- The Liberal party has shifted its stance on key issues, such as defence spending and immigration, in response to changing public opinion.
Introduction to the Shift in Canadian Public Opinion
The year 2025 has seen a significant shift in Canadian public opinion, with a new consensus emerging on key issues such as economic nationalism, military spending, and immigration. This shift has been driven by a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. As a result, Canadians are now prioritizing economic issues, such as tariffs and inflation, over social and environmental issues. This shift has been described as a "stark policy shift" by Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer with Pollara Strategic Insights.
The Impact of Donald Trump’s Presidency on Canadian Politics
Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency has had a significant impact on Canadian politics, with many Canadians feeling a sense of urgency and importance around issues such as Canadian sovereignty and reliance on the United States. This has led to a shift in public opinion, with many Canadians now supporting increased military spending and a more nationalist approach to trade and economic policy. As Nik Nanos, a pollster, notes, "It’s not the Conservatives who are changing, but the Liberals." The Liberal party has shifted its stance on key issues, such as defence spending and immigration, in response to changing public opinion.
The Role of Economic Issues in Shaping Public Opinion
Economic issues, such as tariffs and inflation, have become a major priority for Canadians, with many feeling that these issues are more important than social and environmental issues. This shift has been driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting inflation, which has pushed up the cost of living for many Canadians. As Ginny Roth, communications director for Pierre Poilievre’s leadership campaign, notes, "Inflation made everything else seem less important." The focus on economic issues has also led to a growing sense of nationalism, with many Canadians supporting "Buy Canadian" policies and opposing U.S. influence.
The Shift in Public Opinion on Immigration and Military Spending
There has been a significant shift in public opinion on immigration and military spending, with many Canadians now supporting increased military spending and a more restrictive approach to immigration. According to a Nanos poll, 52% of Canadians support increasing military spending to reach the current NATO target of 2% of GDP. On immigration, a majority of Canadians (54%) now believe that too many immigrants are coming to Canada, driven by concerns about the impact of population growth on housing costs and the economy.
The New Consensus in Canadian Politics
The shift in public opinion has led to a new consensus in Canadian politics, with many Canadians now supporting a more nationalist approach to trade and economic policy, increased military spending, and a more restrictive approach to immigration. This consensus has been driven by a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. As Lawrence Martin notes, "2025 will rank as one of Canada’s great nation-building years." The new consensus has significant implications for Canadian politics, with the Liberal party shifting its stance on key issues and the Conservative party seeking to capitalize on the growing sense of nationalism.
