Carney agenda faces deep public mistrust: Abacus
A new poll reveals that while a majority of Canadians believe economic growth could improve their lives, a deep undercurrent of skepticism and distrust suggests the Carney government’s growth-focused agenda still has a long road to travel in winning broad public confidence.
The Abacus Data survey of more than 2,500 Canadians offers a nuanced look into how people perceive the connection between macroeconomic strength and everyday quality of life. At the heart of the Carney government’s policy push is the idea that growth — through productivity, business investment, and competitiveness—can be a lever to address affordability, fairness, and public service quality.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly framed his economic plan as “fixing the macro to solve the micro,” aiming to connect productivity, investment, and competitiveness with affordability and better public services, CEO David Coletto said.
Good in theory
So far, 61% of Canadians agree that improving economic performance will raise their standard of living. But that support drops when asked whether growth rhetoric feels personal: only 47% believe government messaging reflects their needs, and 52% say they don’t trust the benefits will reach them.
“Growth, in theory, sounds good. But in practice, many feel it won’t reach them,” Coletto said.
Younger Canadians and residents of Alberta and Quebec are most optimistic. But trust diverges by region and political outlook. Those who think Canada is on the “right track” are far more likely to believe in growth messaging than those who don’t.
Among skeptics, reasons range from being on fixed incomes to beliefs that growth mainly benefits the wealthy. The public isn’t anti-growth—but wants evidence it’s fair and effective.
