Most Canadians oppose concessions in Canada-U.S. trade negotiations: poll

Ottawa is bracing for the impact of new tariffs on Canada as a recent Leger poll reveals that 56% of Canadians want their government to take a tough stance in trade negotiations with the United States, refusing to make further concessions. Quebec and women were the most likely to support this approach, with 61% and 60% respectively.

Meanwhile, Albertans, who make up 46% of respondents, were the least likely to endorse such an approach. The poll surveyed 1,622 Canadians online between August 15 and 17, but the Canadian Research Insights Council notes that due to non-random sampling, a margin of error cannot be assigned to the poll. The looming U.S. tariffs are set to take effect after midnight, prompting Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette to meet with U.S. counterparts in Washington to secure a deal.

However, the poll suggests that 38% of Canadians perceive the government's approach in these talks as passive, while only 15% view it as aggressive. The public also supports the idea of imposing special taxes on electricity, oil and natural gas, and potash exports to the U.S., with 64% backing a ban on U.S. liquor sales in Canada.

Nonetheless, the government faces a challenge in balancing the public's desire for a hardline stance with the need to reach a deal with the U.S.