A new national poll has uncovered a profound paradox in the Canadian psyche. While people across the country feel largely positive about their own lives, they hold a significantly gloomier outlook for their province and the nation as a whole.
A Nation Divided Against Itself
The polling project, conducted by Leger between October 31 and November 2, 2025, reveals a clear divergence in attitudes. When it comes to their personal social and financial situations, 34% of respondents reported feeling optimistic and happy more often or always. In contrast, only 23% said they felt pessimistic and gloomy with the same frequency.
This personal optimism, however, fades as the focus shifts outward. The view becomes slightly less positive at the municipal level and drops significantly when considering the national picture. Regarding Canada's overall economic and social situation, a mere 26% of Canadians expressed optimism, while 37% were pessimistic.
Provincial Pessimism Reaches a High
The most striking finding is the level of discontent directed at the provincial level. Of all the areas surveyed, Canadians showed the most negative attitudes toward the direction of their own province. A substantial 42% of respondents reported feeling pessimistic and gloomy about their province's trajectory. This figure is double the 21% who feel happy and optimistic about it.
This provincial pessimism is not uniform across the country. It ranges from a high of 48% in Quebec and 45% in British Columbia to a relative low of 32% in the Atlantic provinces.
Political and Global Divides
The poll also identified a clear partisan split driving these attitudes. Conservative supporters are significantly more pessimistic, with 59% taking a gloomy view of the global situation, compared to 45% of Liberals.
Andrew Enns, executive vice-president, central Canada, at Leger, described the national mood as "somewhat apprehensive." He noted that "This feeling of uncertainty and apprehension strengthens the further out from one’s personal space." Enns found it striking that optimism is highest when questions are framed around one's immediate personal situation.
The mood sours considerably on the global stage. A mere 16% of Canadians are optimistic about the world's social, economic, and political situation. More than half, 51%, are outright pessimistic, while 32% see a mix of good and bad. This global pessimism is most pronounced in B.C. (55%) and least so in Alberta (42%).
The data paints a picture of a country confident in its personal resilience but deeply concerned about the collective path forward, with geographical and political affiliations heavily influencing the national conversation.
