Canada’s national pride split by generational gap: poll

As Canada prepares to mark its 158th birthday, new polling finds growing national pride and a rebound in optimism across much of the population.

As Canada prepares to mark its 158th birthday, new polling finds growing national pride and a rebound in optimism across much of the population. Yet, substantial disagreement persists over whether Canada remains a viable place to build a life.

The Angus Reid Institute survey found that 72 per cent of Canadians say the country offers a good quality of life, a figure that falls for youth (under 35).

Among 18- to 34-year-olds, nearly one in three (27 per cent) say Canada is no longer a good place to start a family, a sharp contrast with 79 per cent of retirement-age Canadians who say the country remains ideal for raising children.

National optimism is on the rise; 56 per cent of Canadians now say they are hopeful about the country’s future, up from 39 per cent last December.

Regional and partisan divides remain in Alberta, where only 47 per cent express optimism. Among Conservative voters across the country, 42 per cent say Canada does not offer a good quality of life.

The new findings suggest that younger Canadians continue to struggle with economic uncertainty and pessimism. Conversely, older Canadians, many of whom rallied behind Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals in the federal election, are more likely to emphasize external threats from Donald Trump.

In March, a Juno News/ONE Persuasion poll identified the same generational division.

While the Liberals held a national lead in decided voter support at 41 per cent, younger voters, who focused on affordability, leaned Conservative.

Among those who prioritized cost-of-living relief, 46 per cent backed the Conservatives. Among voters concerned with Trump, 54 per cent backed the Liberals.

The divide is also reflected in views of Canada’s economic potential.

Only 45 per cent of Canadians say the country is a good place to start a business. The lowest business confidence is present in major provinces like Ontario (41 per cent), Alberta (39 per cent), and British Columbia (39 per cent).

Despite these challenges, expressions of pride remain strong.

In Ontario and Atlantic Canada, half of the residents say they are “very proud” to be Canadian.

However, in Alberta, where affordability concerns and discontent with federal policies are prominent, 28 per cent say they are not proud of Canada.

The data also points to a shift in national mood since the resignation of Justin Trudeau and the rise of Carney as Liberal leader.

Trudeau’s inability to bridge divides contributed to decreased morale, while threats of U.S. tariffs and annexation earlier this year appeared to reinvigorate public appreciation for Canadian sovereignty.

As Angus Reid data shows, while only 39 per cent of Canadians said they were optimistic about the country’s future at the end of 2024, that figure has climbed 17 points, showing a net increase in national pride right before Canada’s 158th birthday.