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Photo by ANDREJ IVANOV /AFP via Getty ImagesCanadians are bracing themselves for tough times ahead but can be grateful to Donald Trump for at least uniting them in feeling immense pride in this country.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorA new Postmedia Leger poll reveals that most Canadians are resilient and stoic in the face of a tariff war they expect will raise the cost of living.And while 41 per cent of Canadians now see the United States as an enemy that is almost certainly down to the buffoonish behaviour of the U.S. president.Trump isn’t winning any Canadian friends by renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, belittling our leaders by calling them “nasty,” musing about making us the 51st state and imposing punishing tariffs.The National Post newsletter that doesn’t hold back, giving readers the unvarnished truth on media, politics and culture.By signing up, you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Right? will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againOf course, the villain in the White House is the perfect foil for Prime Minister Mark Carney who has wasted no opportunity to stoke the fire of patriotism. The prime minister senses the mood of the nation and is using it successfully for his political ends.Carney talking tough and telling Canadians that we are stronger together and “we make our own weather” is what people want to hear: battle cries are needed in a war, after all.But all this bluster is drowning out the real fears and worries of ordinary Canadians.The new poll by Postmedia-Leger is on the Canada-U.S. Trade War but interestingly it finds the top issue facing Canadians is “inflation and the rising cost of items” with 35 per cent of people being concerned. “Trump, tariffs and U.S. aggression” comes in second at 24 per cent. Health care and housing affordability round out the top four slots.The trade war is soaking up a lot of oxygen and attention, but even amidst this hullabaloo it is clear Canadians are still extremely focused on — and worried about — buying groceries and paying the rent.What the poll also reveals is that there is a generational divide over the issues at play.Inflation is the primary concern in the age categories of 18-34 and 35-54. But for those over 55 it is Trump and his tariffs that are the main issue.The younger age groups are also the ones who expect to be hurt financially from the tariffs. In the 18-34 group, almost three-quarters of people believe the tariffs will have an impact on their finances. That drops to 66 per cent of people aged 35-54 and to just over half of the 55 plus age group.The younger cohorts are also more concerned about losing their jobs in the next 12 months and more likely to believe Canada is currently in a recession.But across the board most people are resigned to the fact that the new tariffs will affect consumer prices. What is remarkable is that even though Canadians know they face rising costs, and that retaliatory tariffs will increase the cost of living, three out of four people support them.Such an attitude is a testament to the fortitude of Canadians and reflective of their resilience.Along with that grit comes pride. A total of 83 per cent report they are proud to be Canadian with a similar figure found right across the country and across all age groups falling only to 77 per cent in the 18-34 group.The mood is being driven by Trump and tariffs.In the last 2-3 months, 41 per cent of Canadians said they felt more pride in being Canadian and three-quarters attributed their increase in pride to Trump’s statements.There is also anger at our southern neighbour with 41 per cent regarding America as an enemy. But, again, this view is being driven by older Canadians: just over half of those aged 55 or over see the U.S. as an enemy as opposed to 31 per cent of those aged 18-34. Only 22 per cent regard America as an ally, the same number who view it as a neutral country.Although this is an improvement. At the end of March last year, shortly after the U.S. president announced 25 per cent tariffs on a host of Canadian goods, America was seen as an enemy by 43 per cent of people.However, attitudes would change if Trump was no longer president. The new poll shows that 64 per cent of people would change their opinion of the U.S. being an enemy if Trump was no longer in the White House.All this anger and pride is to be expected when one feels betrayed. But Canadians aren’t all emotion, they have their practical side which demands answers and they knew where they want them to come from: parliament. More than half of Canadians — 56 per cent — support recalling the House of Commons to address the tariff war.Carney has proved himself adept at having his finger on the pulse of the nation, but if he truly wants to fulfill the wishes of Canadians he should recall parliament and tell the country exactly what this trade war is all about.And if he wants to improve the mood of the country, he could tell Canadians how he’s going to make it a less expensive place to live.National Post Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.