A new national poll reveals that Canadians are growing less anxious about job loss, even as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his trade war with Canada and other nations. Conducted by Leger for The Canadian Press between March 21 and 24, the survey found that just 38 per cent of employed Canadians now express concern about losing their jobs in the next year—the lowest figure recorded by Leger since January.
The data suggests a slow decline in employment anxiety since its peak, which reached 42 per cent earlier this month. Among those still concerned, 15 per cent said they are “very concerned,” while 23 per cent were “somewhat concerned.” Regional breakdowns show Ontarians are most worried, with 44 per cent expressing concern, while British Columbians were least concerned at 31 per cent. In Quebec and Alberta, the numbers stood at 32 and 41 per cent, respectively.
Demographic differences also emerged. Younger Canadians aged 18 to 34 showed the highest levels of concern at 47 per cent, compared to 37 per cent among those aged 35 to 54, and just 28 per cent among those 55 and older. Men were also more likely to express concern than women—43 per cent versus 33 per cent.
Leger’s executive vice-president for Eastern Canada, Sébastien Dallaire, believes this decline in concern could reflect a psychological adaptation to prolonged uncertainty. He noted that Canadians may be becoming desensitized to trade-related threats, particularly since the economic impacts of Trump’s tariffs have yet to be fully felt in day-to-day life.
However, the situation remains volatile. Just days after the poll was conducted, Trump signed an executive order to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all imported automobiles not manufactured in the U.S. Although the White House clarified that vehicles falling under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement would only be tariffed on non-American content, the long-standing integration of the North American auto industry has created widespread confusion about what these measures mean for Canadian jobs.
Earlier this month, Trump also imposed similar 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada, prompting layoffs in sectors already struggling. Despite these warning signs, optimism or perhaps fatigue appears to be influencing Canadian sentiment.
Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, warns that the full economic fallout has yet to land. She suggested that the decline in concern could stem from a sense of national unity and belief in resilience but cautioned that the threat to Canadian jobs is still very real. Bruske emphasized the need for political leadership with a clear strategy to defend Canadian workers and resist ongoing economic pressure from the U.S.
Meanwhile, Canadians’ concerns about inflation appear to be resurging. The poll shows that 83 per cent believe consumer prices have risen in recent weeks, up eight points since mid-March. While Trump’s trade moves have temporarily displaced inflation as Canadians’ top political concern, affordability issues remain just below the surface. According to Dallaire, the public may soon shift its attention back to cost-of-living pressures as the downstream effects of tariffs begin to impact prices.
