A wave of renewed national pride is sweeping across Canada as tensions rise with its closest neighbor. This year’s Canada Day marks a turning point in public sentiment, with a sharp increase in patriotism driven in part by political friction with the United States under former President Donald Trump.
According to a new Ipsos poll, nearly half of Canadians now say they are more likely to feel proud of their country—a 33% jump from the previous year. The spike in national sentiment coincides with what many see as a cooling relationship with the U.S. (Also Read: Canada Withdraws Digital Services Tax After Trump Halts Trade Talks)
“This is the first Canada Day since Donald Trump upended one of the most successful relationships in history,” said one observer in Montreal. “And oddly enough, it’s brought Canadians closer together.”
The poll also revealed that 77% of Canadians think less of the U.S. due to Trump’s trade threats and rhetoric. Nearly the same percentage indicated they plan to avoid traveling south of the border. That includes people who had annual traditions of visiting American cities.
“I’ve cancelled my usual trip to the U.S.,” said one respondent. “I just don’t feel the same about going there now.”
The backlash appears to extend beyond individual behavior. Others view it as part of a larger shift in Canadian identity, shaped in contrast to recent political changes in the United States.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently took office, seems to be benefiting from the shift. Six in ten Canadians say they are confident in their political leaders’ ability to manage relations with an unpredictable U.S. administration.
“It’s been a long time since Canadians have been challenged to really think about who they are,” said a sociologist interviewed by Global News. “And now, more than ever, they’re finding new reasons to celebrate being Canadian.”
On Canada Day, many Canadians shared that feeling—focusing instead on unity, shared values, and what sets their country apart.
One person summed it up simply: “We don’t need them for anything.”
As for the future of cross-border relations, much remains uncertain. But for now, the shift is clear. Canadians are turning inward, not with isolation, but with pride.
