TORONTO – Further evidence of how disconnected politics in Canada is from reality and everyday life, comes from a survey released today by Abacus Data, which shows that a majority of Canadians believe the current government is failing to address the country’s real problems: the high cost of living, the issues of healthcare, and unaffordable housing.

The survey, conducted between August 28 and September 2, 2025, among a sample of 1,500 Canadians aged 18 and over, reveals a growing gap between the issues Canadians would like their leaders to prioritize and what they believe Mark Carney’s Liberal government is actually focusing on, even as an extraordinary cabinet meeting is currently underway in Toronto to discuss the ongoing trade war with the United States. And while Canadians recognize that addressing Donald Trump’s policies is important, especially for trade, security, and the economy, many of them fear that this could divert too much attention from pressing domestic challenges, such as housing affordability, health care, and the rising cost of living.

But let’s look at the poll’s numbers. Six in ten Canadians (61%) believe the federal government is paying too much attention to Donald Trump when pressing domestic issues—such as housing, healthcare, and the cost of living—need solutions, while only one in three (33%) thinks Ottawa is right to pay so much attention to Trump. This perception is quite widespread even among Liberal voters themselves, who are therefore “friends” of the government: more than half (51%) of them believe “their” government is distracted by Trump when pressing domestic issues remain unresolved (compared to 45% who believe the focus on Trump is right).

In terms of prospects, Canadians’ concerns also remain unchanged: nearly eight in ten (79%) say rising prices, housing prices, and healthcare will have a greater impact on their families over the next two years than tariffs or US trade policies (21%).

Furthermore, three in four Canadians (76%) believe federal leaders should spend more time addressing domestic issues — housing, healthcare, and affordability — while only 24% want them to focus on managing Trump’s policies. This consensus cuts across party lines: 82% of Conservative voters and 69% of Liberal supporters agree that domestic issues should be a priority.

The conclusion is clear: Canadians expect their leaders to keep an eye on domestic challenges while managing the complexities of relations with the United States. This perspective extends across all regions, age groups, and political persuasions, with the greatest concern among middle-aged Canadians juggling mortgages, childcare, and aging parents (86% of those aged 45 to 59). And even among Liberal voters, 71% admit that their daily struggles are influenced far more by domestic affordability challenges than by Trump’s actions abroad.

Essentially, the question Canadians are likely asking themselves is: where do our politicians live?

The whole poll, with all the data and graphics, is here: https://abacusdata.ca/canadians-see-cost-of-living-housing-and-healthcare-as-bigger-threat-than-trumps-policies/

Photo by Viki Mohamad from Unsplash