'Tired of hearing about Trump': Canadians say government is distracted by US president; survey shows domestic issues top concern

Donald Trump is no longer the main concern for most Canadians, a new research by Abacus Data shows.

A national survey of 1,500 adults conducted between August 28 and September 2 found that 61% of Canadians believe their federal government is paying too much attention to Trump while urgent domestic issues remain unresolved.

The poll shows that only one in three respondents said Ottawa has struck the right balance between domestic issues and Trump.


Younger Canadians are the most critical, with 70% of those aged 18–44 saying the government is distracted by Trump.

Even among supporters of the liberal government, more than half agreed that the focus on Trump was excessive. The survey highlights deep fatigue with Trump coverage. Across party lines, 85% of Canadians said they are tired of hearing about him, including 87% of conservatives and 82% of liberals.

Yet a large majority of Canadians acknowledge his influence still matters, particularly for trade, security, and the economy.

At the same time, Canadians are clear about where their priorities lie. Six in ten say the biggest risks over the next two years come from rising costs, housing shortages, and healthcare pressures.

Families also feel the strain at a personal level, with nearly eight in ten saying domestic affordability challenges will affect them more than the US. tariffs or trade disputes.

Three out of four respondents said federal leaders should spend more time on housing, healthcare, and affordability, and less time managing Trump.