OTTAWA — Amid turbulent political waters and heightened tensions with the United States, recent polling indicates Canadians remain largely disinterested in the idea of their country becoming the 51st U.S. state. A Léger poll published this week shows only 9% of Canadians support the notion, with 85% firmly against it, underscoring the prevailing sentiment across regional and political lines.
Support for the idea was marginally highest among Alberta residents, standing at 15%, but drops significantly to just 3% among Atlantic Canadians. The survey indicated about 18% of Conservative supporters favored the approach, yet overwhelming majorities of Liberal, NDP, and Bloc Québécois supporters — 97%, 94%, and 94% respectively — rejected it outright.
Contrasting this, the poll also revealed low enthusiasm for the prospect of Canadians obtaining U.S. citizenship, with merely 12% expressing interest, and 82% preferring to remain Canadian citizens. Again, residents of Alberta led the charge with 21% open to the idea, compared to just 4% from the Atlantic provinces.
The discontent appears to correlate with President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks and policies, which have strained U.S.-Canada relations. Since last fall, Trump has increasingly suggested the notion of integrating Canada as the 51st state — rhetoric perceived by many as hostile amid his punitive tariffs on Canadian goods. Triaging the issue, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized these tariffs as attempts to cripple Canada’s economy, positing them as strategies aimed at facilitating annexation.
Adding to this political quagmire, over three-quarters of Canadians (78%) hold unfavorable views of Trump, with only 12% expressing favor. Notably, Quebec showed the most disapproval, with 83% of respondents rejecting Trump’s leadership. Concerns about Trump’s tactics to coerce favorable trade agreements also resonate strongly with Quebec residents, 86% of whom identified such pressures as troubling.
Recent shifts in purchasing behavior among Canadians may also reflect this growing resentment. Approximately two-thirds of those surveyed reported decreasing purchases of American products, both online and at stores, and over half have curtailed their visits to U.S.-based fast-food chains like McDonald's and Starbucks. Interestingly, seven out of ten respondents indicated they are actively buying more Canadian products as they turn toward local resources amid the tumult. The Atlantic provinces held the record for local shopping at 79%, with Quebec following closely behind at 72%.
While outrage rises over American influence, Canadians maintain mixed feelings about their entertainment consumption. Despite the inclination to boycott U.S. products, only 17% of Quebec respondents have canceled subscriptions to American entertainment platforms. Conversely, about 30% of those planning travel to the United States have called off their trips as sentiments shift drastically against the perception of Trump’s policies.
Beyond the immediate polling results, the political scene is set for substantial changes. Canada is preparing to usher in new leadership as Trudeau, after nearly ten years as Prime Minister, announced his resignation amid chaotic political influence from the south. On March 9, 2025, Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, is anticipated to take the helm as the leader of the Liberal Party, succeeding Trudeau.
Mark Carney has emerged as the frontrunner to navigate the complex relationship with Trump and the U.S. After polling data from Angus Reid indicated 43% of Canadians prefer Carney to address Trump over Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s 34%, many see him as the steady hand needed within the Canadian political sphere.
During his campaign, Carney emphasized the gravity of the current political crisis, stating, “We are confronting the gravest crisis of our lives,” aiming to prepare Canadians for the uncertain future. His extensive experience managing global economic challenges is seen as reassuring amid the backdrop of troubling relations with the U.S. and the resulting trade war initiated by Trump.
The political narrative surrounding Carney seeks to address Canadian frustrations stemming from Trump’s actions. His election and subsequent governance will serve as the first true test of Canadian resolve against growing American pressures.
While sentiments about U.S. citizenship and statehood reflect stronger nationalist sentiments within Canada, the looming challenge for the new Prime Minister is the obligation to reunite the party and the nation against external thoughts of annexation orchestrated from the south.
With the possibility of upcoming elections and Trump’s tumultuous influence intact, the state of Canadian economics, party unity, and cultural pride will dictate the course for the power transition and the nation's response to its neighbor across the border.