As Canadians grapple with growing economic anxiety and Americans witness mounting political tensions, recent polls and interviews paint a picture of two democracies navigating turbulent waters. In Canada, a new Abacus Data poll released in early October 2025 reveals a nation divided over the cost of living, leadership, and the direction of the country. South of the border, former Representative Dave Brat, R-Va., has spoken out about how the politics of 'rage' are shaping conservative mobilization in the wake of violence and threats against public figures.
Between September 26 and October 1, Abacus Data surveyed 1,504 Canadian adults to gauge the national mood as Parliament returned for its fall session. The results, reported by Abacus Data, show that only 34% of Canadians believe their country is headed in the right direction, while nearly half—49%—say it is on the wrong track. This sense of unease is not confined to domestic affairs: just 13% of respondents believe the world is moving in a positive direction, and only 14% say the same about the United States.
The poll underscores a surge in concern over affordability, with 62% of Canadians ranking it among their top three issues—a five-point jump in just two weeks. Healthcare and the economy follow at 35% each, and housing affordability remains a persistent worry for 34% of respondents. As Abacus Data notes, "Canadians are not simply worried about day to day costs; they’re anxious about control, fairness, and their future ability to get ahead." Crime and public safety are also on the rise as concerns, now at 21%, reflecting a growing sense that disorder is encroaching on everyday life.
This hierarchy of anxieties presents a formidable challenge for the Carney government. Approval for Prime Minister Mark Carney's administration has slipped to 46%, down four points since mid-September and seven points lower than its June peak. Disapproval has inched up to 31%. While Carney himself remains more popular than not—his favourability rating stands at 48% positive, 34% negative—there are signs of waning confidence. Only 40% of Canadians say he has lived up to their expectations, while 41% believe he has done less than expected. Even among 2025 Liberal voters, just 63% say he’s met their expectations.
On key leadership traits, the country is split. According to Abacus Data, 42% of Canadians feel reassured by Carney’s leadership, while 39% do not. Just 38% believe he understands people like them, compared to 42% who disagree—a figure that drops to 37% among younger Canadians aged 18 to 44. In terms of decisiveness, 41% see him as strong and willing to make tough calls, while 38% do not. The upshot? Canadians see Carney as capable but cautious—a leader they respect, but haven’t fully embraced.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s image remains largely unchanged. His favourability rating is narrowly negative at –2 (40% positive, 42% negative), indicating a firm base but little expansion of appeal. The Conservative strategy, as reported by Abacus Data, has been to frame Carney as "Justin Trudeau 2.0," banking on lingering frustration with the previous Liberal government’s record on housing and affordability. This approach appears to be resonating: 55% of Canadians say Carney’s government is similar to Trudeau’s, while only 36% see a difference. Among those who view Carney as too similar to Trudeau and see that as a negative, 80% plan to vote Conservative. Conversely, 71% of those who see Carney as different—and view that positively—intend to vote Liberal.
On the issues that matter most, the Conservatives hold a commanding lead. Among Canadians who prioritize affordability, the party leads by 13 points (41% to 28%) over the Liberals. They also dominate on crime and public safety (55% to 20%), immigration (62% to 17%), the economy (47% to 33%), and housing (36% to 26%). The Liberals, for their part, retain an edge on topics such as international relations, healthcare, and climate change.
If an election were held today, the poll suggests a statistical tie: Conservatives would capture 41% of the vote, Liberals 40%, with the NDP and Bloc Québécois each at 7%, Greens at 3%, and the PPC at 2%. Among those certain to vote, the Liberals hold a slim lead—43% to 41%—over the Conservatives. Regionally, the Liberals lead narrowly in Ontario and Quebec, are tied with the Conservatives in British Columbia, and dominate Atlantic Canada. The Conservatives maintain a stronghold in Alberta.
Across the border in Virginia, the tone of political discourse has taken a sharp turn. On October 5, 2025, former Rep. Dave Brat discussed with Fox News Digital how recent political 'rage' and attacks on conservatives may galvanize voters in upcoming elections. Brat referenced recordings of former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, urging crowds to "let your rage fuel you"—remarks that have circulated widely amid heightened political tensions following assassination attempts on President Donald Trump, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Spanberger has denied any intent to incite violence, telling Fox News Digital through a spokesperson that she will "continue to condemn comments that continue to make light of or justify violence of any kind—full stop." But Brat remains unconvinced, arguing that the left is harnessing "rage politics" to paint conservatives as "judgmental, bad people." He also highlighted the ongoing debates over transgender rights in Virginia schools and public spaces, calling the use of such issues as political tools "obscene." Brat asserted, "We believe in protecting the rights of all people. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness for everybody. We're the ones where the Judeo-Christian West is the tradition. They gave you human rights in the 12th century all the way up through protections in our Constitution. So that's now what's at stake."
In the week prior to Brat’s interview, multiple Virginia lawmakers—including Del. Geary Higgins and Del. Kim Taylor—reported receiving death threats. Brat connected these threats and the murder of Charlie Kirk to the broader theme of political rage, predicting that such events would have a lasting impact on voter sentiment in Virginia and New Jersey. He reflected on his own 2014 upset victory over House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and the evolution of conservative politics since then, noting the rise of the "MAGA Revolution" and the influence of figures like Elon Musk, who has distanced himself from the Silicon Valley establishment.
Brat emphasized that while "nothing's really changed, it’s the same ingredients," the one condition that has changed is the frequency and intensity of violent events like Kirk’s murder. He suggested these incidents could lead to "shockers" in upcoming elections, as voters respond to the heightened atmosphere of political conflict and the perceived threat to their values.
As both Canada and the United States head toward pivotal elections, the interplay of economic anxiety, leadership trust, and political polarization will likely continue to define the landscape. For Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the challenge is to demonstrate genuine renewal and distance himself from the long shadow of Justin Trudeau. For American conservatives, figures like Dave Brat see opportunity in mobilizing voters around a message of rights, tradition, and resistance to what they perceive as divisive "rage politics."
Whether these strategies will succeed remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: both countries are at a crossroads, with voters searching for leadership that can restore faith in the future and bridge the divides that threaten to pull their societies apart.
