Get Shovels in the Ground, Say Canadians

New Ipsos poll shows Canadians back economic integration and nation-building projects—but caution against cutting corners.

Newly released polling from Ipsos suggests that a majority of Canadians believe the economic benefits of removing interprovincial trade barriers outweigh any potential downsides.

Asked whether eliminating such barriers would promote national economic growth, 62 percent of respondents agreed, while just 4 percent disagreed. Another 21 percent were neutral, and 13 percent were unsure.

Support was strongest in Ontario (69 percent) and Saskatchewan-Manitoba (68 percent), and lowest in British Columbia (56 percent) and Quebec (51 percent). In Quebec, where protecting local industries and cultural identity remains a political priority, resistance to eliminating trade barriers may reflect broader concerns about preserving provincial autonomy.

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That interpretation aligns with another finding in the survey: 42 percent of Quebecers agreed that some interprovincial trade barriers are necessary because provinces have unique needs—ten points above the national average of 32 percent. Nationally, 25 percent disagreed with that sentiment, while 27 percent were neutral.

Despite regional variation, most Canadians remain either positive or ambivalent about how removing trade barriers might affect them personally. A third of respondents (33 percent) said they believe such changes would benefit their own finances, while 37 percent were neutral and just 8 percent disagreed.

The poll also tested public reaction to Mark Carney’s One Canadian Economy Act, which aims not only to dismantle trade barriers but also to accelerate major infrastructure projects across the country. (Read our column about Léger’s latest poll on C-5 here.)

Here, Canadians appear more divided. While 42 percent support fast-tracking nation-building projects—even if it means shortening consultation periods—15 percent were opposed, and 25 percent remained neutral. British Columbia stood out once again, with the highest level of opposition (29 percent) and the lowest level of support (38 percent), likely reflecting long-standing provincial concerns over pipelines and resource corridors.

Indeed, tensions over such projects—especially between B.C. and resource-heavy Alberta and Saskatchewan—have flared in recent years. Notably, disputes between former premiers Rachel Notley and John Horgan over pipeline expansion laid bare the complex web of provincial interests.

Even among supporters of faster project delivery, there’s widespread recognition of the risks involved. Nationally, 43 percent of Canadians agreed that rushing these projects could mean overlooking important local and Indigenous concerns. Only 15 percent disagreed.

Finally, the survey highlights a common psychological hurdle to national project momentum: 55 percent of Canadians say they only feel progress is being made once construction is physically visible. In other words, policy announcements and funding commitments may not move public opinion until shovels are in the ground.

Taken together, these results point to a country largely supportive of interprovincial economic integration and infrastructure development—albeit with significant caveats. While most Canadians see the opportunity for growth, they remain cautious about sacrificing consultation and local concerns on the altar of speed.

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Details of this Ipsos poll can be found here.