77 Percent of Canadians Want Immediate Election Amid Trump Tariff Threat: Poll

People start to line up early for the Canadian general election before polls open in west-end Toronto for the Sept. 20, 2021. The Canadian Press/Graeme Roy

More than three-quarters of Canadians say they want an immediate federal election so that the federal government can have a “strong mandate” to deal with the threat of tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a new poll.

The survey from Ipsos, released on Jan. 21 from a sample size of 1,001 Canadians, found 67 percent were confident in Canada’s ability to respond to the tariffs. Additionally, 59 percent said they believed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should be leading the country’s response to the threat, instead of the provincial premiers.

The survey also suggested that 77 percent of respondents want to have an election right away so that the federal government can have a strong mandate to deal with the issue.

The survey also suggested that 82 percent of Canadians support Canada responding with its own tariffs on American goods entering the country. The federal government has indicated that all options, including retaliatory tariffs, are on the table, with Trudeau recently saying Ottawa will “not hesitate to act.”

Canadians were split on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s insistence that oil and gas export restrictions not be a response to the tariffs, with 55 percent disagreeing with her and 45 percent agreeing. Smith recently refused to sign on to a joint statement between Ottawa and the provinces because of her opposition to reducing energy exports to the United States.

A total of 55 percent of respondents believe that Trump’s threat of 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian exports was merely a bluff to get Ottawa to act on issues like border security and defence spending. The federal government has already put forth a $1.3 billion spending plan to tackle illegal immigration and trafficking.

Meanwhile, 29 percent said they believe the increased tariffs would have little impact on them personally, while 71 percent disagreed. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the 25 percent tariffs could shrink Canada’s economy by 2.6 percent and cost each family $1,300 per year.

After winning the election in November, Trump said he would impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless they took action to stop the flow of drugs and illegal immigrations through their borders into the United States.

After being inaugurated on Jan. 20, the new president said the tariffs may start on Feb. 1.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called for Parliament to immediately return amid the national “crisis,” in order to “pass new border controls, agree on trade retaliation, and prepare a plan to rescue Canada’s weak economy.”

Parliament has been prorogued since Jan. 6, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would be stepping down once the Liberal Party had chosen a new leader. Parliament is set to return on March 24.

A federal election needs to be held by Oct. 20.