With the federal election campaign now in full swing, a surprising figure looms largest on Canadian voters’ minds—U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to a new national poll conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News, 36% of Canadian voters say Trump is the top issue influencing their vote—surpassing even the economy, which ranks second at 29%.
“Canadians are transfixed on Donald Trump and relations with Donald Trump,” said Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist at Nanos Research. “It’s becoming the defining issue of the 2025 campaign.”
The poll reveals widespread concern over how Canadian party leaders will manage the increasingly turbulent relationship with the U.S. administration, amid tariff threats, sovereignty anxieties, and an uptick in cross-border tension.
Nanos warns that any misstep in messaging or response to Trump could prove politically devastating for federal leaders. As the campaign progresses, candidates are under pressure to craft clear, confident narratives about their approach to dealing with Washington.