A new Postmedia-Leger poll reveals that Canadians hold a widespread sense of superiority over Americans, with 64 percent believing they are nicer, 54 percent more cultured, and 82 percent thinking Canada is more admired worldwide. The survey, conducted on both sides of the border, highlights stark contrasts in national perceptions.
Canadians view Americans as arrogant
Two-thirds of Canadian respondents associate Americans with arrogance, while only nine percent of Americans would say the same of Canadians. Andrew Enns, Leger's executive vice-president, said: 'From the data I would say we have a sense of superiority over Americans in a number of areas — Canadians believe they are more humble, cultured and generally nicer. I’d add that the majority of Canadians are of a view that the world likes us better.'
More than a third of Canadians say they do not admire the United States at all. In contrast, Americans hold less negative views about their northern neighbors. The poll also found that 37 percent of Canadians believe Canada offers better opportunities for hard workers, while 22 percent said the U.S. is better, and 32 percent see no difference.
Regional and income divides
Donald Abelson, a political science professor at McMaster University who focuses on American politics, noted that views vary significantly within Canada. 'If this poll was exclusively conducted in Western Canada, the results would have been very different. Western Canadians tend to admire that spirit of American entrepreneurship,' he said. Similarly, wealthier Canadians often look to the U.S. due to tax resentment, Abelson added.
Among American respondents, 33 percent said the U.S. offers better opportunities, 16 percent chose Canada, and 31 percent saw no difference.
Political context and trade tensions
The poll was conducted after the July 1 deadline for the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which the U.S. declined to renew in its 'current form.' Abelson linked negative Canadian views to Donald Trump's presidencies, stating: 'There were a lot of Canadians who viewed the United States as being incredibly arrogant given the number of times the Trump administration put a target on our back, the number of times that offensive comments were made to our leaders, most recently about becoming the 51st state of the United States. I think Canadians are generally seeing the Americans as being more aggressive, more arrogant in the belief that they can do anything they want without any kind of repercussions.'
