The Trump Effect: Is Rising Canadian Nationalism a Good Thing?
David Coletto the CEO of Abacus Data responds
As Canada braces for the 2025 federal election, one of the most unexpected political shifts has been the rise of nationalism—not due to domestic policies, but as a reaction to Donald Trump. His proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, coupled with his combative rhetoric, have triggered a wave of patriotic sentiment across the country. But is this resurgence of Canadian nationalism beneficial?
David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, has been closely tracking how Trump’s influence is shaping voter behavior and national identity. According to Coletto, the former U.S. president has unexpectedly unified Canadians in a way that few domestic leaders have been able to.
"I think the public psyche around our own country has been kind of down for the last number of years, that we weren't as proud to be Canadians. There were lots of reasons that we could point to that. People said, ‘Oh, you know, our economy's not as strong,’ or, you know, a lot of political leaders were helping fuel that kind of negativity towards our country. But I think in this moment, all being said, I think nationalism is good."
A New Kind of Nationalism
Unlike past waves of nationalism that often stemmed from internal debates over identity or policy, this resurgence appears to be outward-facing—fueled by frustration with Trump and his economic threats.
"We now have a new version which is like bully exceptionalism. But in the Canadian context, I think it is a good thing right now."
For many Canadians, Trump's aggressive stance has created a rallying effect, encouraging people to support domestic businesses, rethink trade alliances, and even reconsider their travel habits.
"I hope that, by saying, ‘I'm not going to travel to the United States this year, I'm going to go to Mexico, or I'm going to go to South America, I'm going to go to Asia,’ that's going to expose people to new ideas and new opportunities."
Political Implications
This shift in sentiment could have major consequences for the upcoming election. With economic security and national identity becoming increasingly intertwined, both Pierre Poilievre and Mark Carney must navigate a new voter landscape where patriotic sentiment is running high.
"For basically two years, barely a quarter of Canadians felt that their country was headed in the right direction. This was like—we were in a funk. And we're seeing that ‘country in the right direction’ number starting to go up and moving pretty quickly."
While nationalism can create a stronger sense of unity, it also carries risks. If it becomes too insular, Canada could risk losing the benefits of global trade and diplomacy. The challenge will be maintaining a balance—harnessing patriotic momentum without turning inward.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s impact on Canadian politics has been profound, shifting the conversation from internal discontent to external solidarity. Whether this newfound nationalism will lead to positive economic and political changes remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: for the first time in years, Canadians are looking at their country with a renewed sense of pride.
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