This week’s Nanos Review focused on trade. Canada’s trade dispute with the United States is no longer merely a diplomatic contest with Canada walking away from the trade talks. It has become a test of public resilience. Recent Nanos polling suggests that Canadians, while hardly relaxed, are broadly comfortable with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s handling of negotiations with Washington. As a trade deal is up in the air many appear willing to give Ottawa room to manoeuvre as exemplified by the majority of Premier who support the current strategy. Readers should note that the survey was conducted ahead of Canada pulling out of the trade negotiations.
The public mood is pragmatic rather than exuberant. Canadians continue to rank jobs and the economy as their foremost concern, underscoring that kitchen-table anxieties remain stubbornly material. Yet Donald Trump and the United States now occupy a prominent place in the national psyche, reflecting the extent to which external pressures have become domestic concerns. This is in an environment of tepid consumer confidence as tracked by the Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index.
The most striking overall finding may be the durability of consumer nationalism. A majority of Canadians oppose returning American liquor to government-run liquor stores and many say they would not purchase U.S. alcohol even if it reappears on shelves. The boycott, once a symbolic gesture, increasingly looks like a behavioural shift.
Politically, Mr Carney’s government enjoys growing confidence, though not unqualified conviction. Beyond trade, controversy over AI data centres highlights a broader public scepticism toward large-scale projects perceived to impose local costs for uncertain benefits.
For now, Canadians appear united by a simple calculation: cautious support for their government, tempered by anxiety about what comes next.
CTV News: Nanos on the Numbers, August 22, 2026
Watch the CTV News Nanos Interview
Majority of Canadians good with Carney’s handling of US trade negotiations. August 20th, 2026, Bloomberg/Nanos – Report
Majority of Canadians want US liquor to remain out of government owned liquor stores. August 18th, 2026, Bloomberg/Nanos – Report
Canadians’ anxieties remain stubbornly material but the neighbours are intruding: Jobs/the economy top concern followed by Trump/US. August 18th, 2026, Nanos – Report
More confidence, not quite conviction. August 17th, 2026, Bloomberg/Nanos – Report
Canada, U.S. ‘very close’ to finalizing tariff deal as deadline approaches: trade minister. BNN Bloomberg, August 20th, 2026. Read here.
Mark Carney asks provinces to restock US booze — but 3 out of 4 Canadians say they’ve already moved on. Leslie Kennedy, Money.ca, August 20th, 2026. Read here.
Majority of Canadians say they won’t buy American alcohol if it becomes available again Canadians want illegal firearm trafficking to be a priority in trade negotiations, polling finds. CBC, August 19th, 2026. Watch here.
Overwhelming Majorities in Canada, U.S. Say No to Local Data Centre Development. The Energy Mix, August 19th, 2026. Read here.
Tasha Kheiriddin: Pierre Poilievre has a path to survival. He should take it. Tasha Kheiriddin, National Post, August 18th, 2026. Read here.
U.S., Canada barrel toward 50% tariff as Trump deadline approaches. Alicia Diaz and Derek Decloet, Financial Post, August 18th, 2026. Read here.
Canada battles the clock, politics in scramble to avert Trump’s tariffs. John Power, Al Jazeera, August 18th, 2026. Read here.
B.C. Premier David Eby holds firm on U.S. alcohol ban even under the ire of Trump. Hanna Hett, Daily Hive, August 18th, 2026. Read here.
Are young Canadians being properly prepped to earn in the future? Steve Randall, Wealth Professional, August 18th, 2026. Read here.
Nanos poll finds 64% of Canadians oppose incentives for AI data centres. TheHub.ca, August 17th, 2026. Read here.
As he faces internal leadership questions, Poilievre says Conservative MPs should ‘fight’ for Canadians. Stephanie Ha, CTV News, August 16th, 2026. Read here.
Liberal lead over Conservatives could show ‘crack in the armour’ depending on U.S. trade talks outcome, say strategists, pollsters. Jesse Cnockaert, The Hill Times, August 16th, 2026. Read here.
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