(CNW Group/Unifor)
A new Pollara survey shows broad public support for shielding Canada’s auto industry in trade negotiations with the U.S., with three-in-four respondents saying a collapse of the sector would be “devastating” for the national economy.
The poll, commissioned by Unifor and the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, found 70 per cent of Canadians believe Ottawa should not sacrifice the auto sector to secure a good trade deal with the U.S. Support is higher in Ontario at 75 per cent.
“Canadians fully understand the significance of this U.S. attack on Canadian workers, their communities and to the country’s entire industrial base,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in a statement. “As a nation it’s clear that we do not want to back down and allow Trump to kill Canadian auto and manufacturing jobs.”
Concern about key industries is widespread. Seventy-eight per cent said they worry about the future of the auto sector, tied with forestry (78 per cent), followed by steel (76 per cent), aluminum (74 per cent), and oil and gas (73 per cent).
Public appetite for intervention is also strong. Sixty-three per cent of Canadians — including 80 per cent of Liberal voters — say the federal government should provide financial support to keep the auto sector afloat during a trade war with the U.S. Two-in-three (67 per cent) would boycott or consider boycotting a company that shifted production to the U.S. because of tariffs.
Pollara surveyed more than 2,700 Canadians between Oct. 11-20, 2025. The findings suggest voters will back measures to protect Canadian auto manufacturing and parts jobs, which could influence federal support for domestic production, stabilize supplier networks, and help preserve new-vehicle inventory pipelines for retailers.
