Manitoba poll finds divided appetite for renewed Canada-U.S. trade talks

A new Abacus Data survey of 1,000 Manitobans found that nearly four in 10 respondents want Canada to restart trade negotiations after the U.S. midterm elections, while 24 per cent would wait until President Donald Trump’s term ends in 2028. The poll, commissioned by the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Business Council of Manitoba, also found 66 per cent support Canada walking away from free-trade talks. [1]

The results point to a public balancing concern about the financial consequences of tariffs with skepticism that a rapid agreement would be durable. Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said a congressional change would not necessarily produce a quick policy reversal and could complicate negotiations if Washington faced divided government. [1]

Expected household impacts were widespread in the survey: 77 per cent of respondents anticipated tariffs would hurt them within the next year, and 66 per cent expected negative effects within six months. Among blue-collar workers, 52 per cent expected a major financial effect next year and 38 per cent expected one in the coming six months; this group was also more likely than other sectors to favour restarting negotiations immediately. [1]

Business assistance has strong backing in the polling. Seven in 10 respondents said governments would need to help companies affected by tariffs, while federal and Manitoba governments have already announced aid for tariff-affected businesses. The source reports that support was stronger among retirees, white-collar workers and Liberal voters than among blue-collar workers and federal Conservative voters. [1]

The survey also indicates that tariff uncertainty is influencing procurement preferences. Eighty-four per cent said they prefer Canadian suppliers: 30 per cent would prioritize them even at a higher price, while 54 per cent would do so when it makes business sense. Remillard said firms are shifting toward Canadian sources, but cautioned that supplier capacity and long-standing commercial relationships can make a rapid transition difficult. [1]

For the dashboard, the poll is evidence of heightened expected price and financial pressure in Manitoba rather than a change in tariff policy or an announced negotiation outcome. It highlights exposure among workers and small businesses that rely on imported promotional goods and other inputs, but does not establish realized sector-wide cost increases or a new government trade measure. [1]