Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is receiving mixed reviews from Canadians one year after taking office, with voters hungry for action on skyrocketing living costs rather than continued focus on international affairs.
An Angus Reid Institute poll of more than 2,000 Canadians shows the Carney Liberals have successfully managed Canada's relationship with the U.S. and strengthened the country's global standing—but face mounting pressure to deliver on promises to make housing and everyday expenses more affordable.
The affordability problem won't go away
The numbers tell a stark story. While 56 per cent of respondents approve of how the Prime Minister is handling relations with President Trump, fully 52 per cent of Canadians say reducing the cost of living should be government's top priority in the year ahead.
That message carries weight: 70 per cent of those polled believe the Carney government has failed to meet expectations on affordability, and 67 per cent say the Liberals have missed the mark on housing costs.
The housing numbers are particularly troubling for a government that promised the "most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War." According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, residential housing starts actually declined six per cent last month—moving in the wrong direction.
International file earning better grades
On the international stage, however, the government's report card looks considerably stronger. Sixty-four per cent of respondents said the Liberals have met or exceeded expectations in rebuilding Canada's international reputation, while 57 per cent approved of the government's efforts to diversify trade away from heavy U.S. dependence.
The government has signed 20 strategic trade and defence agreements globally over the past year and set an ambitious target to double non-U.S. exports within the decade. That push for economic diversification was a cornerstone of Carney's election campaign, which focused heavily on navigating the U.S. trade tensions and tariff uncertainties.
Defence spending also won approval from 59 per cent of poll respondents, with Canada finally meeting the NATO commitment to spend two per cent of GDP on defence this year.
"Canadians are clearly torn between pride in how we're handling global affairs and frustration that bread and butter issues remain unresolved," the data suggests.
As the Carney government heads into its second year, the polling suggests voters want less focus on managing Trump and more energy devoted to making rent, mortgages, and grocery bills manageable for average families across the country.
This story is based on reporting from The Globe and Mail.