Data from an Angus Reid poll indicates Canadians favour reducing tariffs on Chinese EVs if it means a better deal for canola
New polling data shows Canadians are in favour of the federal government taking action to support canola farmers.
Of the 4,330 Canadians Angus Reid surveyed, 57 per cent, or 2,468 people, support cutting tariffs on Chinese EVs if it meant better outcomes for canola producers.
24 per cent of respondents, or 1,039 people, would keep the situation as it is, with the remaining 19 per cent, or 822 people, unsure of their position.
Regionally, the Prairie provinces support this idea the most.
Between 60 and 68 per cent of Albertans, Saskatchewanians, and Manitobans, respectively, would be okay with the federal government amending its Chinese EV tariffs to support Canada’s canola industry.
This support also reaches across party lines.
Most polled Canadians who voted Conservative, Liberal, NDP, or for the Bloc in the 2025 election, would accept a government decision to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles if it meant lower tariffs on Canadian canola, the Angus Reid data says.
The same survey also asked Canadians about supply management and the auto sector.
Angus Reid asked Canadians if they would protect supply management if it meant “a worse outcome” for auto exports to the U.S., or if they’d prioritize access for Canadian autos if it meant “opening Canada’s dairy and export market.”
Overall, 62 per cent, or 2,684 Canadians, said they’d rather protect the country’s dairy and poultry sector.
The level of support varied across party lines.
Bloc voters, 87 per cent of them to be exact, support supply management compared to the auto sector.
78 per cent of NDP voters and 72 per cent of Liberal voters, respectively, feel the same way, Angus Reid’s research shows.
Conservative voters, however, have a different view.
Of the 1,603 voters included in the survey, 58 per cent, or 929 people, would prioritize the auto industry over supply management.