Tariffs and Trade: How Canadians Are Feeling About the U.S.
We recently ran a survey on social media to get a better sense of how Canadians are feeling about the potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. After hearing from 130 people across the country, one thing is clear: Canadians are paying close attention—and they have strong opinions about where things should go from here.
Canadians Are Concerned – and Paying Attention
When we asked how concerned people about possible new tariffs were, nearly 77% said they were concerned. And it’s not just a passing worry—almost 90% believe these tariffs would have a negative impact on the Canadian economy.
Tariffs and trade aren’t just headlines. They hit close to home, affecting jobs, prices, and everyday life. It’s clear Canadians are thinking about the bigger picture and what it could mean for the future.
Canadians Are Backing Local
One of the biggest trends we noticed is a surge in support for Canadian-made products. Nearly 87% of respondents said they’re more likely to buy Canadian in response to tariff threats. In fact, almost 88% have already changed their shopping habits because of concerns about Canada-U.S. trade relations.
For Canadian businesses, this is a huge opportunity to strengthen local connections and meet the growing demand for homegrown goods.
Job Security and Workplace Worries
We also asked people how tariffs could affect their work life. Over half (54.6%) said they’d consider switching jobs to a company that mainly does business in Canada-even if it meant earning a little less.
At the same time, 58.5% admitted they’re worried about whether their workplace will be able to keep up with competitive wages if tariffs come into play. And while 63% aren’t currently worried about losing their jobs, over a third are feeling uneasy about what’s ahead.
Interestingly, if job loss did happen because of U.S. tariffs, almost half of those surveyed said they’d consider hiring an employment lawyer to help with severance and termination issues.
Time to Reduce Our Reliance?
Perhaps the strongest message we heard: Over 91% of Canadians believe it’s time to reduce our economic reliance on the United States.
Diversifying trade relationships, investing in Canadian industries, and building a more independent economy are clearly top of mind for many people.
Canadians are thinking carefully about tariffs, shifting their spending, re-evaluating their job choices, and calling for a stronger, more self-sufficient Canadian economy.
Worried About Job Loss Due to Tariffs? Know Your Severance Rights
If you lose your job because of the economic impact of new U.S. tariffs, understanding your severance rights is critical.
For non-unionized employees in Canada, severance pay can vary depending on several factors, including your role, length of service, age, and how difficult it may be for you to find similar work. In some cases, you could be entitled to up to 24 months’ pay.
Losing a job is stressful enough-you shouldn’t have to navigate severance negotiations alone. If you’re facing a layoff or termination tied to the fallout from tariffs, it’s a good idea to seek legal advice to make sure you’re getting everything you’re owed.
We’re here to help. Contact us online or call us at (416) 640-2667 to speak with an employment lawyer about your options.