Manitobans boycotting American products, avoiding U.S. travel: Probe Research poll

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This article was published 17/02/2025 (205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods has resulted in widespread boycotts in Manitoba, a new poll finds.

Three-quarters of Manitobans are actively planning to stop buying American-made products and more than six in 10 Manitobans have cancelled vacations to the U.S., a Probe Research poll shows. The poll was conducted via an online survey of 600 adults, a representative sample of Manitobans, from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6.

NDP and Liberal supporters are much more likely than Conservatives to be boycotting U.S. travel and purchases of U.S. goods, the survey results show.

Buying Canadian products has often been top of mind for Karen Lumley. Since Trump returned to office, she’s been checking a few more labels.

“Buy Canadian, support Canada,” she said.

She’s felt the wave of patriotism, especially online and through social media platforms such as Facebook.

“There is a lot of stuff that says, ‘Buy Canadian,’” she said. “And there are things on there that help people figure out what’s Canadian.”

It’s something Lumley has been paying more attention to.

“We’ve been watching groceries and for shopping, we’re always checking tags,” she said. “The products are good. The food is good. It’s just being aware.

“I would rather pay more money and buy Canadian than support the American economy. I don’t agree with Trump. I won’t say what I think he is.”

Murray and Elaine Dehn wouldn’t consider themselves to be in the boycotting camp when it comes to American-made products and services, but they’re certainly feeling patriotic these days.

The Winnipeg husband and wife were rummaging through Canada-themed t-shirts at The Forks on Monday, something they’ve found themselves doing a little more often since U.S. President Donald Trump re-entered the White House last month.

“It’s not more of animosity I feel towards the States, it’s the patriotism I feel towards Canada right now,” Murray said. “That, frankly, (is what) I believe what Trump has done, reigniting a sense of patriotism in this country that I feel was sleeping under the current. Now, it’s going to be maximized.”

Elaine said the political climate has encouraged people to think more about Canada and what it means to be a Canadian.

“It’s not necessarily about block the States or have negative feelings that way,” she said.

Murray said he’s really proud of Canada.

“And I want to make sure I am supporting it the best that I can,” he said.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has gained more public confidence in his ability to deal with Trump’s tariff threats compared with federal leaders, the Probe Research poll suggests.

“The survey results also show Premier Wab Kinew appears to be seizing the moment politically to some degree, as he has demonstrated what his government is doing in the face of this threat to the provincial economy,” the Probe Research document states.

Six in 10 respondents were somewhat or very confident in Kinew’s approach. Slightly fewer than half of respondents expressed confidence in federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s ability to manage the tariff threat, while the federal Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had the lowest confidence rating.

Elaine Dehn said she needs to see how things play out before she makes a judgment call on on how well Kinew is or isn’t doing.

“This is something I don’t think he every anticipated happening, so it’s sort of uncharted territory to be navigating this,” she said. “I wouldn’t want that job.”

Kinew and the other Canadian premiers were in Washington, D.C. last week as part of a diplomatic push to end Trump’s tariff threats. On Feb. 3, Trump announced he would hold off for 30 days on imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods entering the U.S. The threats, and the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding them, have prompted a new wave of patriotic “Support Canadian” movements, including a renewed embrace of Flag Day, along with Canadian consumers seeking out Canadian-made products over American alternatives.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca

Probe Research Tariff Threats poll

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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