Canadians aren’t mad at America anymore. We’re hurt, suspicious, and moving on

New Ipsos data reveals a nation that has moved from anger to acceptance, with six in 10 Canadians saying they can never trust the United States the same way again.

It has been nine months since Donald Trump returned to the White House, and in that time has upended the world order around trade, relentlessly expressed an “America first” mentality, and mused about annexing Canada as the 51st state.

He also seems to have upended how Canadians see our southern neighbour.

At the core of that shift is trust, which our data show Canadians have lost. When trust between neighbours breaks, proximity becomes the problem, and right now six in 10 Canadians say we can never trust the United States the same way again.

That measure has remained remarkably consistent since tracking began in February, despite efforts made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his team to preserve the relationship while defending Canadian interests.

Canada’s relationship with America has entered an uncomfortable space beyond shock and anger, where, in the words of Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker, we are hurt and suspicious, and the data proves it.

In February, Ipsos polling showed that we viewed the actions of the president with anger and resolve, but we have added acceptance to our anger, a settled wariness that is underscored by the new lack of trust in America.

Canadians know we are in this for the long haul. Seven in 10 (71 per cent) say they see this dispute lasting several years. Few (30 per cent) think these problems end with Trump, a recognition that the change in our relationship with the U.S. is systemic and not just personal.

Despite the challenges faced by the new administration, Canadians appear to be giving Carney the benefit of the doubt, with 51 per cent approving of his government’s handling of Canada-U.S. relations.