One-third willing to sacrifice prosperity for sovereignty amid Trump tariffs
(TORONTO, 5 August 2025) – Canadians are prepared for economic hardship to maintain independence from the United States, with the governing Liberals holding a commanding lead over the Conservatives as trade tensions escalate, a new Pallas Data poll has found.
In Canada’s first comprehensive Economic Patriotism Index (EPI), Pallas surveyed 1,301 adults across Canada from July 29th to August 1st, 2025. The margin of error is +/- 2.7% at the 95% confidence level.
Federal Voting Intentions
Among decided and leaning voters, the Liberals, led by Mark Carney, have 43% support, while the Conservatives, under Pierre Poilievre, trail at 38%. The NDP has 8%, the Bloc Québécois 6%, and the Greens 2%.
“As Trump imposes a new 35% tariff on Canada, Canadians are rallying around economic sovereignty rather than backing down,” said Dr. Joseph Angolano, founder and CEO of Pallas Data. “The Carney Liberals have significant political capital to spend on this trade fight.”
Economic Patriots Fuel Liberal Support
The groundbreaking Economic Patriotism Index reveals that 34% of Canadians have “high economic patriotism”—meaning they’re willing to sacrifice prosperity for economic independence. Among these voters, Liberals hold a dominant 59% support compared to just 18% for Conservatives.
Conversely, 47% of Conservative voters score as having “low economic patriotism,” compared to only 8% among Liberal supporters.
“This creates an existential challenge for the Conservative movement,” said Angolano. “While Poilievre campaigned on ‘Canada First,’ his base appears least willing to pay the price for economic independence.”
Canadians Already Walking the Walk
The survey reveals Canadians are already putting patriotism into practice:
- 74% actively look for “Made in Canada” labels when shopping
- 69% have chosen more expensive Canadian products over foreign alternatives
- 67% have changed their purchasing behaviour due to trade disputes
Most significantly, 54% engage in all three “economic patriotic” purchasing behaviours, suggesting broad readiness to absorb the costs of trade retaliation.
Regional and Demographic Divides
Alberta shows the lowest economic patriotism (24% high, 42% low), aligning with Conservative strength in the province. Ontario and Quebec exhibit the highest levels of economic patriotism, which benefits Liberal support.
Older Canadians (65+) demonstrate the strongest economic patriotism at 47%, while younger voters (18-34) show the least at 28%.
Conservative Crisis Over Economic Nationalism
The poll exposes a fundamental tension within Conservative ranks. Despite Stephen Harper’s declaration during the last federal election that he would “impoverish the country” rather than see Canada annexed, and Trump’s dismissal of Poilievre as “no friend” of his, Conservative voters remain the least economically patriotic.
“The Conservatives face a choice between embracing Danielle Smith’s accommodating approach or Harper and Doug Ford’s more confrontational stance,” noted Angolano. “Their base currently stands at odds with both their leader’s rhetoric and their party’s founding principles.”
Implications for Trade Strategy
With Trump’s tariffs set to escalate, the poll suggests Canadians may be more resilient to economic pressure than anticipated. The Liberal government appears well-positioned to pursue alternative trade relationships and infrastructure projects that reduce dependence on the United States.
“This survey establishes a crucial baseline,” said Angolano. “As tariffs begin to bite, we’ll track whether Canadian resolve holds or whether economic reality trumps patriotic sentiment in future months.”
About the Economic Patriotism Index
Pallas Data’s Economic Patriotism Index measures Canadians’ willingness to sacrifice prosperity and well-being for economic independence. The index is based on four key questions about:
- Paying more for gasoline and imported food if it helps protect Canadian jobs
- Willingness to pay more for Canadian-made products compared to identical foreign alternatives
- Willingness to prioritize economic independence over maximum economic growth
- Willingness to accept lower living standards to keep Canada’s economic independence
Respondents receive -2 points for each statement they strongly disagreed with, -1 for every statement they somewhat disagreed with, +1 for every statement they somewhat agreed with, and +2 for every statement they strongly agreed with. No points were awarded for neutral responses or “don’t know” answers.
Respondents were then categorized as follows:
- -8 to -3: Low Economic Patriotism
- -2 to +2: Moderate Economic Patriotism
- +3 to +8: High Economic Patriotism
Methodology
The analysis in this report is based on results of a survey conducted on July 29th-August 1st, 2025 among a sample of 1,301 adults, 18 years of age or older, living in Canada and eligible to vote in federal elections. The survey was conducted using automated telephone interviews using AI Live Agents and Interactive Voice Recording technology (IVR).
Respondents were interviewed on landlines and cellular phones. The sample was weighted by age, gender, and region according to the 2021 Census. The survey is intended to represent the adult population in Canada.
The margin of error for the poll is +/- 2.7%, at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error are higher in each subsample.
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
