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Canadian Perceptions on International Relations: A Mixed Bag
A recent survey highlights that many Canadians view their relationship with the United States as unfavorable, almost comparable to their ties with Russia. This assessment comes from a Leger survey which indicates a willingness among Canadians to foster better relationships with both China and Mexico.
According to the findings, merely 16 percent of those surveyed believe Canada enjoys a positive relationship with the U.S., while only slightly more, at 15 percent, feel similarly about Russia. In contrast, a notable 36 percent rated their relations with China positively, and over 75 percent expressed favorable views towards Mexico, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
Jack Jedwab, president and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies, remarked on the stark dissatisfaction with U.S. relations, attributing it to heightened expectations that are not being met. “Canadians have historically viewed their relationship with the United States in a more favorable light, which makes this assessment quite striking,” he noted. “To find that they rate their ties with the U.S. as poorly as their relations with Russia is astonishing, particularly given that they perceive their connection with China more favorably.”
This survey, which questioned 1,603 individuals from April 17 to April 19, lacks a margin of error due to its nature as a panel survey. Jedwab pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies as pivotal in shaping Canadian perceptions. “Trump’s approach has arguably created a unifying sentiment among Canadians that we haven’t seen since early confederation,” he added.
Additional Ipsos polling shows that 11 percent of Canadians prioritize the Canada-U.S. relationship as a key national issue. Furthermore, a February poll revealed that 68 percent of respondents have a diminished view of the U.S. and that two-thirds intend to avoid American products and travel due to these sentiments.
Interestingly, despite recent political tensions, Canadians appear to have a robust connection with Mexico. This sentiment persists even as some Canadian leaders, like Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have attempted to distance the country from Mexico concerning issues such as drug trafficking and immigration. Jedwab explained that many Canadians feel they share common challenges with Mexico, especially regarding their most important ally.
Amid these dynamics, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, recently proposed a partnership aimed at countering perceived American “bullying,” suggesting collaboration could help enforce global trade rules. While Jedwab acknowledged there is potential for redefining relationships, he expressed caution about the feasibility of such an alliance in practice, given existing global tensions.
He further noted that Canadians tend to assess their international relations based on expectations. While negative perceptions of China persist, there appears to be a recognition of potential opportunities to enhance ties despite historical strains. This is particularly felt in provinces like Alberta and British Columbia, where economic ties to China are significant.
Political leaders have differing perspectives on China, with Liberal Leader Mark Carney labeling it the most substantial security threat to Canada. In contrast, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized Beijing’s autocratic stance and its implications for global governance.
Jedwab concluded by stating, “It’s possible to have a nominally constructive relationship with a country while feeling that the relationship itself is strained.” He emphasized the importance of harnessing public sentiment into constructive dialogue, especially as Canada looks to improve its relations with the United States in the wake of the upcoming elections.
Source
globalnews.ca