Many Canadians are expressing their disagreement with the results of a Leger poll that discussed Canadian perceptions of the upcoming federal elections in the U.S., revealing that the majority of the local survey takers would give their vote to Kamala Harris and not Donald Trump to become the next President of the United States.

The poll, which was conducted from October 18 to 22, 2024, showed a significant 62% of Canadians would choose U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump if they had the opportunity to vote in the 2024 presidential election. This preference reflects Canadians’ belief that Harris is better equipped to address critical issues such as climate change, trade relations, immigration, and the economy.

However, after the survey results were released online, many Canadians rejected the idea of electing Harris as the next president if given a chance. The reactions necessarily weren’t as pro-Trump as much as they were anti-Harris. Some Canadians even went as far as likening Harris to their current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, calling him a “male Harris” and accusing the media of “lying” to them.

Some others pointed to the current frustration Canadians are experiencing with the sitting minority government under Justin Trudeau and urged to see a new face take over the leadership for the Liberal Party.

Adding to the critical commentary, Canada’s neighbours to the south did not hesitate to take criticize Trudeau.

A “Canada For Trump” account on X, formerly known as Twitter, wasted no time in denouncing the poll results, straight up refusing to believe the results.

However, another commenter — whose allegiance could be tricky to place simply based on their take — speculated what could prevent Trump supporters in Canada to publicly back the former president.

The poll surveyed over 1,500 Canadians, capturing a wide range of perspectives across different demographics. Among the respondents locally, a notable portion expressed that Harris’ progressive policies resonate more with Canadian values. Many surveyed Canadians seem to view her as a stabilizing force compared to the divisive rhetoric often associated with Trump.

As the U.S. prepares for another pivotal election, the sentiments expressed in the poll could have implications for not just Canada-U.S. relations in the future but also the upcoming federal election here at home in 2025. A favourable view of Harris could suggest that Canadians may expect more collaborative and constructive engagement on issues that affect both nations. The survey also highlights concerns about Trump’s previous presidency, with many respondents fearing a return to the policies that polarized public opinion in both Canada and the U.S.

However, Harris’s strong performance in the poll might not be indicative of how majority Canadians feel about the current leadership in Ottawa — a thought that might come across the minds of Canadians considering the similarities between the Democrats and Liberals (and their leaders), especially on prioritizing stability and progressive action on pressing global issues such as environmental sustainability and social equity.

Similar poll in August revealed same results: Canadians want Harris as U.S. president

The recent findings by Leger remained consistent with the results of a poll conducted by Abacus Data that revealed a striking preference among Canadians for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

The survey, which sampled 1,550 Canadians from July 31 to August 7, found that Harris enjoys a net positive impression of +27, while Trump faces a significant net negative score of -37​. This stark contrast underscores the growing political divide not only within the U.S. but also in how Canadians perceive American leadership.

According to the poll, 41% of Canadians believe that Harris is more likely to win the election, compared to only 33% who think Trump has the upper hand. The results indicated that Harris was viewed favourably across various demographics, though support for her is notably lower among Conservative voters and those living in Alberta.