In today’s volatile global economy, Canadians are sending a clear message about what matters most: preserving our economic relationship with the United States. A recent MEI-Ipsos poll reveals that two-thirds of Canadians view our cross-border economic ties as crucial for national prosperity.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Nearly 66% of Canadians consider the economic relationship with our southern neighbours “very, or extremely important,” while only 5% dismiss its significance. This is about families, jobs, and communities that depend on the stability this partnership provides.
What’s particularly fascinating is how this perspective cuts across potential political divides. Whether in urban centers, or rural communities, Canadians recognize something fundamental: our economic futures are intertwined. When 68% of respondents believe that failing to reach a trade agreement would negatively impact employment, they are expressing a deep-seated understanding of our economic reality.
This collective wisdom reveals something profound about how Canadians process complex geopolitical issues. We are able to distinguish between political tensions and economic necessities. Sixty per cent of Canadians want their federal officials to prioritize a new trade agreement with the US, because they understand the alternative would be more costly.
As a media outlet that has witnessed the evolution of Canadian business landscapes from our vantage point in Toronto’s fashion scene and corporate boardrooms, we see that this poll represents a mature national conversation about sovereignty, interdependence, and practical economics.
The question now becomes how our leaders will translate this public understanding into policy that protects Canadian interests while acknowledging our undeniable economic connection to the US market. The path forward requires both wisdom and courage, the kind that Canadians are clearly demonstrating in their pragmatic approach to this essential relationship.