Canadians say retaliatory tariffs driving up prices: poll

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OTTAWA – Most Canadians say Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are driving up the price of consumer goods, according to a new poll.

The survey, commissioned by think tank MEI and conducted last month by Ipsos, reported 77% of respondents saying that Canada’s retaliatory trade tariffs – a counter to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canadian goods – are driving up the cost of everyday goods.

“Canadians understand that tariffs are just another form of taxation, and that they are the ones footing the bill for any political posturing,” MEI spokesperson Samantha Dagres said.

“Ottawa should favour unilateral tariff reduction and increased trade with other nations, as opposed to retaliatory tariffs that heap more costs onto Canadian consumers and businesses.”

Fifteen per cent disagreed that tariffs are driving up costs, while 8% didn’t answer.

The same survey also found that 54% of Canadians thought government spending was too high, compared to 6% who said it wasn’t high enough and 32% who were satisfied with the status quo.

As well, 55% said they’re not satisfied with the Canadian government’s accountability and transparency in spending, with 38% saying the government is transparent and accountable enough.

The survey was conducted between June 17 and June 23 among 1,020 Canadian adults via an online Ipsos poll.

As margins-of-error cannot be applied to online polls, one to an equivalent sample size would yield a margin no greater than ±3.8%, 19 times out of 20.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
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