A recent survey reveals that many Canadians view their relationship with the United States as equally poor as their ties with Russia. This finding comes from a poll conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies, which surveyed 1,603 Canadians from April 17 to 19, 2025.
The results are striking. Only 16% of respondents believe Canada has a good relationship with the U.S., while just 15% feel the same about Russia. In contrast, 36% of Canadians rate their relationship with China positively, and over 75% express favorable views toward Mexico, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
Jack Jedwab, the president of the Association for Canadian Studies, noted that Canadians generally expect better relations with the U.S. than what they currently experience. He described the survey’s findings as "mind-boggling," particularly the fact that many Canadians perceive their ties with China to be better than those with the U.S.
Jedwab attributes these sentiments largely to the actions of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made comments that many Canadians interpret as threats to their sovereignty and economy. He remarked that Trump’s presidency has unified Canadians in ways not seen since the country’s early days.
The survey also highlights a growing openness among Canadians to improve relations with other countries, particularly Mexico and China. This comes at a time when some Canadian politicians have sought to distance the country from Mexico on issues like drug trafficking.
Interestingly, the survey aligns with other polling data that indicates the state of Canada-U.S. relations is a top concern for Canadians, with 11% of respondents ranking it as their most important issue. Another poll from Ipsos earlier this year showed that 68% of Canadians have a less favorable view of the U.S. and that two-thirds plan to avoid American products and travel to the U.S. in the future.
Jedwab emphasized that Canadians gauge their relationships based on expectations. While they might expect tensions with China, the current feelings toward the U.S. are unexpected given the historical closeness between the two nations.
In summary, the survey underscores a significant shift in Canadian attitudes toward their neighbors to the south, reflecting broader concerns about international relations and national priorities. As the political landscape evolves, many Canadians are looking for ways to foster better ties with both the U.S. and other nations.