A new survey by Nanos Research reveals that an overwhelming majority of Canadians prioritize maintaining Canadian control over the nation's food supply and strongly support defending domestic farmers and the supply management system amid ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.
Key Findings on Food Sovereignty and Trade
The poll, commissioned by the Dairy Farmers of Canada, found that 91% of Canadians believe it is important for Canada to retain control over its food supply. Additionally, 68% of respondents said the Government of Canada must strongly defend the interests of Canadian dairy farmers during trade talks.
Support for the objectives of supply management stands at 74%, while 64% of Canadians want the government to defend both farmers and the supply management system. Only 21% favor making concessions while preserving the system, and a mere 10% support abandoning supply management entirely.
Context of CUSMA Review
Chief Data Scientist Nik Nanos noted that the current environment makes Canadians wary of further concessions to the United States. “We are in an environment where Canadians likely have a sensitivity to making further concessions to the United States, and many are unconvinced that accommodations to U.S. requests will improve Canada’s bargaining position,” he said.
The research provides insight into public opinion as the Canadian government navigates the CUSMA review with the United States, particularly regarding dairy and supply management.
Methodology
Nanos conducted a hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,051 Canadians aged 18 and older between June 26 and 28, 2026. Participants were recruited via live agents and administered the survey online. The margin of error is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
“The current narrative, which asserts that the nation needs to stand up against the U.S., has likely fuelled greater public support for the defense of farmers in the face of American demands on supply management,” said Nanos. “It is therefore not surprising that when the US Administration points to the dairy sector, that the response from average Canadians is more support for dairy farmers.”
