Albertans least likely in Canada to want hard tactics against Trump tariffs
As the world grapples with the impact and threat of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, a new poll shows Albertans are the least likely in Canada to want to see the federal government get tough with our American counterparts.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute showed that Canadians are increasingly confrontational about their approach to Trump tariffs. In December, 49 per cent said Canada should play hardball, a number that has risen to 63 per cent.
When looking at which Canadian provinces agree with playing hardball with the U.S. and not allowing Canada to be bullied, Atlantic provinces ranked highest at 71 per cent, followed by Ontario and B.C. at 66 and 65 per cent, respectively.
Alberta residents were the least receptive to wanting to grind against the U.S. regarding Trump tariffs, with 53 per cent saying that’s what Canada should do.
Alberta also led the country on whether Canada should concede and do whatever the U.S. demands to avoid tariffs, with eight per cent saying yes. The national average to that question sat at just three per cent.
Angus Reid Institute
Notably, respondents were asked about what they would do if tariffs created a recession and significant job loss in Canada. In this case, the numbers barely budge. Three in five (61 per cent) would continue to play hardball.
A poll last month showed that Alberta leads Canada in opposition to retaliatory tariffs in a U.S. trade war, and another survey showed that travellers in the province are leading Canada in the choice to travel south this year regardless.
The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from March 28-31, 2025, among a randomized sample of 2,131 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum. The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide according to region, gender, age, household income, and education, based on the Canadian census.