For months, it seemed like nothing could eclipse Canadians’ concern about our unpredictable neighbours to the south. President Trump’s return to office and his bombastic calls for Canada to become the 51st state, paired with punitive tariffs and turbulent cross-border relations, kept Canada-U.S. issues at the forefront of our national consciousness. But now, Canadians are turning their attention back home — and rightly so.
According to the latest Nanos Research poll, released May 20, jobs and the economy have once again emerged as the number one concern for Canadians, edging out the long-dominant anxiety over U.S. relations. It’s the first time since February that economic issues have topped the list. The shift speaks volumes, not just about changing headlines, but about the real, lived priorities of everyday Canadians.
For much of this year, Trump’s looming inauguration and his hardline stance on trade and border issues sparked a surge in concern. At its peak in March, over 40% of Canadians cited the U.S. president and cross-border relations as their top worry. But those numbers have been steadily falling. By May 16, concern about Trump and U.S. relations had dropped to 19.3%, narrowly overtaken by jobs and the economy at 20%.
That may seem like a small change on paper, but it’s a telling one. Canadians are recognizing that while foreign policy is important, our economic wellbeing — wages, job security, the cost of living — hits closer to home. Inflation, too, remains in the mix, albeit with less urgency than earlier in the year. And health care, a perennial Canadian priority, is starting to rise again in public concern.
The past decade has shown a familiar pattern in what Canadians care about. In times of uncertainty — the 2015-16 oil shock, the onset of the pandemic in 2020 — jobs and the economy surge to the top. Then, as those concerns ease or evolve, attention shifts to other vital issues like health care or the environment. But this recent swing back to the economy is especially significant, happening in the wake of a federal election that returned the Liberals to power under new leader Mark Carney.
It’s also a reminder of where our focus should be. Trump may dominate headlines, but it’s the job losses in our towns, the inflation at our grocery stores, and the affordability crisis in our cities that most directly affect our day-to-day lives.
The truth is, Canada has work to do — and not just on diplomacy. We need long-term, sustainable economic planning. We need job creation that doesn’t just look good in quarterly reports, but actually improves lives. And we need leadership that isn’t easily distracted by the circus across the border.
As Canadians look ahead, it’s encouraging to see a renewed focus on the economy. It’s a signal that we’re ready to stop reacting to foreign drama and start dealing with our own house. Let’s hope our elected leaders are listening.
