Nearly Half of Canadians Open to Joining the European Union
Canadians continue to view American tariffs as a major economic threat, while nearly half say Canada should seriously consider joining the European Union
New polling from Research Co is shedding light on how Canadians view our southern neighbours, their tariffs, and where else in the world we should turn in our time of need, including the European Union.
Off the bat, Mark Carney receives higher approval ratings than Pierre Poilievre when it comes to who Canadians trust to handle tariffs imposed by the United States.
Carney earns an approval rating of 60% on this measure, compared to a disapproval rating of 32%, leaving the prime minister 28 points above water. Meanwhile, Poilievre’s numbers are not quite as strong, with 40% approving of his handling of the issue and 46% disapproving, leaving him 6 points underwater.
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When it comes to who Canadians believe we should seriously consider strengthening trade ties with outside the United States, nearly every major country sits comfortably above the line.
At the top of the list are the European Union and the United Kingdom, both at 76% among Canadians who believe we should seriously consider increasing trade with them. Close behind are Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand at 74%, while 71% say the same of Japan.
Perhaps the most interesting finding in this poll is the share of Canadians who would like to see trade with China increase. Among all Canadians, support sits at 59%, while only 28% oppose the idea. That figure is somewhat higher than other polls have suggested, but it also points to a growing share of Canadians who are looking toward China and away from the United States.
Speaking of which, the share of Canadians who say we should seriously consider joining the European Union stands at 48%, while 35% oppose the idea.
Perhaps the most interesting regional divide is not in Alberta, as some might expect, but in Atlantic Canada, where 42% oppose the idea compared to only 34% in Alberta. Meanwhile, the highest levels of support for joining the EU come from Ontario and Quebec, at 55% and 53%, respectively.
Support for joining the EU is also particularly high among Liberal voters, with 64% in favour and only 25% opposed. Compare that to 49% of New Democrats and 44% of Conservatives, and the gap is considerable. However, among Conservative voters, net support for joining the EU sits at zero, meaning just as many Conservatives support joining as oppose it.
However, support for becoming an American state could hardly be lower. Overall, only 20% of Canadians support the idea, while 70% oppose joining the United States.
Alberta records the highest level of support at 24%, compared to 63% who oppose the idea. Quebec and Ontario are slightly more opposed, with 23% and 21% in favour, respectively, compared to 69% and 70% in opposition. Meanwhile, the strongest opposition to joining the United States comes from Atlantic Canada, where support stands at 11% and opposition reaches 82%.
Even by political affiliation there is little support, including among Conservative voters, who are often viewed as the most receptive to the idea of joining the United States. Among Conservatives, support sits at 27% while opposition stands at 67%, compared to 17% of Liberals and 16% of New Democrats.
Lastly, the poll asked Canadians whether American tariffs or the American military pose a threat to Canada today.
Regarding tariffs, more than 80% of Canadians agree they remain a threat to Canada’s economy, compared to just 11% who disagree. On the military front, opinion is more divided, with 50% saying the U.S. military is a threat to Canada’s security, compared to 41% who disagree with that view.