Canadians want tougher trade stance with U.S., poll finds; 56% reject further concessions

A new Leger poll shows Canadians have little appetite for further concessions in trade negotiations with the United States, with 56 per cent demanding a hard line compared to 31 per cent favouring flexibility.

The survey of 1,622 Canadians conducted between August 15 and 17 found that 38 per cent describe the federal government's approach to trade talks as quite passive, while 30 per cent call it balanced and 15 per cent describe it as quite aggressive.

Support is strongest for retaliatory measures. Seventy-four per cent of Canadians support a special tax on electricity sold to the U.S., 70 per cent support restricting U.S.-owned companies from bidding on Canadian government contracts, and 70 per cent support taxing oil and natural gas exports. Sixty-four per cent back banning the sale of U.S. liquor in Canada, and 63 per cent favour taxing potash exports.

Canadians are far less open to concessions. Only 46 per cent support opening passenger air travel to U.S. airlines, 26 per cent support reducing supply management, and 25 per cent favour greater U.S. access to Canadian banking. Just 38 per cent support giving U.S. telecom companies greater access to the Canadian market, and 33 per cent support resuming the sale of American alcohol across Canada.

Regional differences are notable. Sixty-one per cent of Quebecers want the government to take a hard line and make no more concessions, compared with 46 per cent of Albertans. Women are less supportive than men of several concessions involving telecommunications, banking and supply management.

Political affiliation shapes responses too. Conservative voters are generally more open to concessions than Liberal, NDP or Bloc Québécois voters, though 51 per cent of Conservative voters still favour taking a hard line.

Looking ahead, 47 per cent of Canadians believe a federal election should follow if a new Canada-U.S. trade agreement is reached, giving voters a direct say in the outcome. Support rises to 67 per cent among Conservative voters, compared with 34 per cent among Liberal voters. Forty-three per cent of Canadians also believe the federal government should formally request that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra be recalled and replaced.