Tariff Tensions: Canadians Embrace Local Goods, Hesitate on Streaming Cuts
A new poll suggests that many Canadians are flexing their consumer power in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, opting to buy Canadian-made products and avoid American goods. However, when it comes to streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, many are unwilling to pull the plug.
The Leger survey, conducted between February 7 and February 10, polled 1,590 Canadians and found that 81 per cent have already increased their purchases of Canadian products or plan to do so soon. At the same time, 59 per cent say they are boycotting U.S. alcohol, and 56 per cent are cancelling or avoiding travel to the U.S.
Despite the push to support Canadian businesses, the poll revealed a clear hesitation when it comes to digital entertainment. Only 28 per cent of respondents said they have or will cancel their U.S. streaming subscriptions, while 34 per cent say they will not. Another one in three Canadians admitted they are also unwilling to stop shopping online from U.S.-based retailers.
Streaming habits varied widely across provinces. Only 14 per cent of Albertans said they would cut off U.S. streaming services, the lowest percentage in the country. Meanwhile, 36 per cent of Quebec respondents expressed a willingness to cancel their U.S. subscriptions, the highest of any province.
Political leanings also influenced consumer choices. Bloc Québécois (43 per cent) and Liberal (40 per cent) voters were more likely to consider canceling U.S. streaming services compared to NDP (23 per cent) and Conservative (22 per cent) supporters. However, support for Canadian products remained strong across all parties, with nine in 10 Bloc, Liberal, and NDP voters saying they are increasing Canadian purchases, compared to about three in four Conservatives.
Beyond the trade dispute, economic uncertainty is affecting Canadian spending habits. More than half of respondents said they have delayed making major household purchases due to financial concerns, a figure that climbs to nearly two-thirds among Canadians aged 18 to 34.
Andrew Enns, Leger’s executive vice-president for Central Canada, emphasized that Canadian businesses should take advantage of this momentum by making it easier for consumers to identify local products. Some companies, such as Boston Pizza, have already updated their branding and social media presence to remind consumers of their Canadian origins.
William Huggins, a finance professor at McMaster University, noted that the reluctance to abandon American streaming services stems from a perceived lack of alternatives.
“If there’s a perceived cost or we don’t think that things are equivalent, then we don’t like it,” Huggins explained. “There’s a bigger burden.”
As the tariff dispute intensifies, the ‘Buy Canadian’ movement is gaining traction, but for many, the convenience of U.S. digital services remains a hard habit to break.