The Week in Polling: Young Canadians want to become Americans; No level of government is fixing our housing crisis; Trump’s 51st state threat is igniting Canadian pride

Over 60 percent of Canadians say no level of government is doing enough on housing About 68 percent of Canadians believe the federal government is not doing enough to address housing affordability, while only 17 percent think it is. At the provincial level, 65 percent of respondents feel their government is not doing enough and 18 percent believe it is. At the municipal level, 62 percent of respondents say their municipal government is not addressing housing affordability adequately, while 19 percent think it is. Across the board, more than 60 percent of Canadians believe that no level of government has done an adequate job addressing the housing affordability crisis. As of last month, the average price of a home in Canada was $676,640, a 3 percent increase over the last 12 months. The average home price in Ontario was $834,123, less than in British Columbia ($1,013,556) and more than in Quebec ($510,884). Over the last 12 months, Ontario’s average home price decreased by 2.3 percent, B.C.’s increased by 5 percent, and Quebec’s increased by 9.2 percent. Toronto’s average home price in December 2024 was $1,067,186, down 1.6 percent over the last 12 months, while Greater Vancouver’s was $1,275,672, up 2.5 percent annually. In Montreal, the average home price hit $620,644 in December 2024, amounting to a 5.8 percent annual increase. Donald Trump’s comments about Canada becoming the U.S.’s 51st state spark Canadian pride Reiterating his proposal to bring the Great White North into the American fold, this week President Trump delivered stern remarks at the World Economic Forum about Canada’s trade situation with the U.S. “Canada. We have a tremendous deficit with Canada. We’re not going to have that anymore. We can’t do it … As you probably know, I say, ‘You can always become a state, and if you’re a state, we won’t have a deficit. We won’t have to tariff you,'” he told the crowd. Trump’s offers to annex Canada, however, may have not achieved his intended consequences. In fact, over 70 percent of Canadians between the ages of 18 and 34 agree that his comments have strengthened their pride in Canada, and their belief that the country must keep its independence from the U.S. Among Canadians between the ages of 35 and 55, 76 percent share this sentiment. Meanwhile, 83 percent of Canadians over the age of 55 also agree that Trump’s comments have reinforced their pride and commitment to maintaining our sovereignty. Trump threatened to impose a 25 percent blanket tariff on Canada as early as February 1st, a few weeks after his initial deadline of January 20th, which was his first day back in the White House. Beyond increasing Canadian pride, Trump’s tariff threats have created a turbulent time in Canadian politics. Most recently, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who recently wore a hat embroidered with “Canada is not for sale,” has confirmed he will call an election for February 27th. A recent Mainstreet poll found that 23 percent of Canadians think Ford has been Canada’s best face in negotiations with the U.S., more than any other politician in the country, and more than businessman Kevin O’Leary.