While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Bruce Anderson.
For Mark Carney, this was a week to remember. Wining and dining the big players in big money, then flying over to France to be wined and dined by the EU. Plus Stephen Harper standing side by side with Mark Carney's position on the US. All this while Pierre Poilievre had to sneak out a back door from his own...
One of my early polling experiences was around the privatization of Air Canada in 1988. Prime Minister Mulroney had made the case that the public no longer needed to, or should, own and operate the airline. Canadians were somewhat hesitant at first – worried that something important to our sense of national pride and cohesion might be lost. But they...
One of my early polling experiences was around the privatization of Air Canada in 1988. Prime Minister Mulroney had made the case that the public no longer needed to, or should, own and operate the airline. Canadians were somewhat hesitant at first – worried that something important to our sense of national pride and cohesion might be lost. But they...
Prime Minister Carney is in Banff, Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre is in New York, and for this moment at least, they're towing somewhat the same line. They're putting Canada first in the trade fight against the United States, leaving criticism of each other in the background. The latest on where we are on this story, and a lot more, with...
80% are willing to tax or limit exports of oil, canola, potash and electricity, and end purchases of US military equipment. The jibes aimed at Canadians from the US President and his Cabinet are hard to miss. Canadians are following the tariff dispute like they’ve followed few issues in the 45 years I’ve been measuring public opinion.
80% are willing to tax or limit exports of oil, canola, potash and electricity, and end purchases of US military equipment. The jibes aimed at Canadians from the US President and his Cabinet are hard to miss. Canadians are following the tariff dispute like they’ve followed few issues in the 45 years I’ve been measuring public opinion.
Canadian voters are galvanized by Trump’s attacks and aligned with Carney’s approach. The recent tensions in the Canada US relationship have firmed – not softened – support for Prime Minister Carney’s leadership. Across Canada, (according to our latest Spark Insights survey 6535 interviews, online) the Liberals now hold a 20 point lead over the Conservatives, 49% to 29%. The NDP...
Canadian voters are galvanized by Trump’s attacks and aligned with Carney’s approach. The recent tensions in the Canada US relationship have firmed – not softened – support for Prime Minister Carney’s leadership. Across Canada, (according to our latest Spark Insights survey 6535 interviews, online) the Liberals now hold a 20 point lead over the Conservatives, 49% to 29%. The NDP...
It's been a week. Canada/US relations have never been so low. Attacks on each other's trade strategies, attacks on our sovereignty, even a pathetic, rather lame attack on one of the Great Lakes that shares our joint border. Sounds like enough for a final, special summer episode of Good Talk.
Politically speaking, Donald Trump is so far under water, he’s practically swimming with the fishes. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows he has even lost 18% of Republicans. Independents are deeply unhappy. Democrats are enraged.
Conservatives sit 24 points behind the Liberals among voters on the centre of the spectrum. There’s no election soon, and how people would vote if an election were today is not a reliable predictor of what they might do in two or three years. But since there are by-elections coming up in a few weeks it’s worth examining the political...
Conservatives sit 24 points behind the Liberals among voters on the centre of the spectrum. There’s no election soon, and how people would vote if an election were today is not a reliable predictor of what they might do in two or three years. But since there are by-elections coming up in a few weeks it’s worth examining the political...
Three weeks after winning the last Presidential election, Donald Trump announced he was slapping a 25% tariff on Canada because US border controls were failing to stop immigrants and fentanyl from coming into the US from Canada.
Three weeks after winning the last Presidential election, Donald Trump announced he was slapping a 25% tariff on Canada because US border controls were failing to stop immigrants and fentanyl from coming into the US from Canada.
SMT is one of the first. shows we used to do when the podcast started all those years ago, Bruce Anderson would join me and we'd lay an SMT verdict on various issues and quotes. So as we lounge through the summer of 2026 Bruce wondered whether we should try a special holiday edition of SMT. Why not? So here...
Up till now, Trump's tariffs and his treatment of Canada produced discomfort but little more than that, in the US. There are signs this may be changing. Americans don’t like tariffs as a general concept. Our research in the US last year found that by a 70-30 margin, Americans think freer trade is more in their interests than tariffs.
Up till now, Trump's tariffs and his treatment of Canada produced discomfort but little more than that, in the US. There are signs this may be changing. Americans don’t like tariffs as a general concept. Our research in the US last year found that by a 70-30 margin, Americans think freer trade is more in their interests than tariffs.
We were best friends. Great neighbours. Our economies intertwined and we sold lots of things to one another. Crossing a border felt more like visiting a relative than a different country.
Latest Spark Insights survey shows two thirds would prefer a Carney government to one led by Pierre Poilievre. Since the start of 2026, our survey results have found that two out of three Canadians generally approve of the performance of the Carney government. There has been very little fluctuation during that period of time, all of it essentially within what...
Latest Spark Insights survey shows two thirds would prefer a Carney government to one led by Pierre Poilievre. Since the start of 2026, our survey results have found that two out of three Canadians generally approve of the performance of the Carney government. There has been very little fluctuation during that period of time, all of it essentially within what...
It's our first summer of 26 special Good Talk and there's lots to talk about. This week it's wildfires and the smoke they cause, upsetting the Canada/U.S. relationship. Not to mention the renegotiated Gordie Howe Bridge deal. For Pierre Poilievre its whether his leadership can survive much longer with internal fights breaking out all the time. Chantal Hebert and Bruce...
In a Spark Advocacy survey in May (10th to 14th, 3450 interviews, nationwide online) of this year, we asked the following question about the idea of allowing private donations to fund renovations to 24 Sussex.
In a Spark Advocacy survey in May (10th to 14th, 3450 interviews, nationwide online) of this year, we asked the following question about the idea of allowing private donations to fund renovations to 24 Sussex.
The shine has gone off Doug Ford a little this year. And his government has some miles on the odometer. While Ford has surpassed the expectations of his critics in the past, time and circumstances may be catching up. Liberal chances will have a lot to do with how Ford comes across over the next couple of years. It’s very...
The shine has gone off Doug Ford a little this year. And his government has some miles on the odometer. While Ford has surpassed the expectations of his critics in the past, time and circumstances may be catching up. Liberal chances will have a lot to do with how Ford comes across over the next couple of years. It’s very...
Only 27% think - in the end - Canada will be worse off than before the Trump tariff conversation started. For more than a year, Canadians have paid a great deal of attention to the Trump Administration and the trade conversation the US President has triggered with his wave of tariffs and talk of annexation.
Only 27% think - in the end - Canada will be worse off than before the Trump tariff conversation started. For more than a year, Canadians have paid a great deal of attention to the Trump Administration and the trade conversation the US President has triggered with his wave of tariffs and talk of annexation.
A quarter of federal Conservative voters in Alberta want the province to leave Canada. Between Jun 7-12th Spark interviewed 777 adults across Alberta. Here’s what we found:
A quarter of federal Conservative voters in Alberta want the province to leave Canada. Between Jun 7-12th Spark interviewed 777 adults across Alberta. Here’s what we found:
Sometimes sport can be such a nice distraction. Like last night. Canada's first-ever win in World Cup Soccer. And what a win, 6-0 in front of a home crowd in Vancouver. Nice distraction for the PM, who was in attendance, after what some felt was a bended-knee performance for Donald Trump at the G7 in France. He wasn't alone. What...
Poilievre has failed to galvanize his 2025 coalition by arguing that Carney has been a failure. And the NDP voters no longer look like they would only vote Liberal to avoid a Conservative government.
Poilievre has failed to galvanize his 2025 coalition by arguing that Carney has been a failure. And the NDP voters no longer look like they would only vote Liberal to avoid a Conservative government.
The war was never popular with Canadians but the economic impacts are now driving a desire to see it come to an end. As rumours about potential resolution to the war that has been going on for more than three months, Canadians want to see a quick end to it. In our latest Spark Insights polling (June 7-12, 4462 adults...
The war was never popular with Canadians but the economic impacts are now driving a desire to see it come to an end. As rumours about potential resolution to the war that has been going on for more than three months, Canadians want to see a quick end to it. In our latest Spark Insights polling (June 7-12, 4462 adults...
86% give the government a passing grade; while 14% would mark it an F. Our latest Spark Advocacy nationwide polling wrapped up late this week, with a large sample of 4462 adults across Canada. Here’s what we find as Parliament gets ready to rise for the summer. Overall satisfaction with the “way in which the federal government is handling its...
Lots of good talk on Good Talk this week, starting with Chantal and Bruce on Mark Carney's trip to Paris today and his talks with Emmanuel Macron. France is hosting the G7 next week, but for many, it's really a G6 with Donald Trump's America, no friend of the group. That and CUSMA and social media bans top the discussion...
Our latest Spark Advocacy nationwide polling wrapped up late this week, with a large sample of 4462 adults across Canada. Here’s what we find as Parliament gets ready to rise for the summer. Overall satisfaction with the “way in which the federal government is handling its responsibilities” sits at 66%. Over 12 data points in our tracking since Carney took...
Poilievre needs more people to like the sound of his voice. To hear him say things that make them feel confident and hopeful, not depressed. To reveal some self-awareness.
AI needs data centres. Lots of them. But as the race to build them is gathering momentum, so too is opposition. A Washington Post poll found voter "comfort with a new data centre in your community" was cut in half from 69% to 35% in just 3 years. Unusually, Trump voters and Democrats are mostly on the same page expressing...
First up this week, Prime Minister Carney summed up a critical week in the Canada-US trade discussions with the phrase, "some progress". So what does that mean? Plus the AI strategy. Then both Bruce Anderson and Chantal Heebert discuss the fall of an iconic broadcast network -- CBS and the "60 Minutes" debacle.
How do you MAGA - Make America Great Again? According to Mark Carney, the answer is, MCS, Make Canada Strong. That was part of the message the PM gave American business leaders in New York yesterday and guess who was clapping? Pete Hoekstra, one of Donald Trump's leading Canadian critics, is the U.S. ambassador to Canada. It's been quite a...
Canada has plenty of land, relatively few people, and a housing affordability problem. What’s this got to do with high speed rail? The discussion around housing affordability often stalls out at the conundrum of how to protect the asset values of those who own homes today, while at the same time giving those who want to own a home a...
If 20% leave turns into 40% for Smith’s “maybe” option - Alberta will have avoided a near term crisis, but saddled itself with the image of a place that is unsettled and unpredictable. Most of the time, referendums result in people deciding to maintain the status quo. In 26 national referendums across 26 countries, questions about maintaining an existing policy...
As weeks go by, this couldn't have been worse for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. It's one thing to get in a fight with Ottawa, even a neighbouring Premier, but your own party? Your own cabinet? Or both? Over a referendum. That's just one of the topics up for discussion with Chantel Hebert and Bruce Anderson. Also on tap, Breaking News...
In our latest Spark Insights nationwide survey (3450 cases, online, May 10-14) we found Carney government approval at 67%, similar to our results in April. A majority in every part of the country indicates approval, the lowest level being 61% in Alberta, and the highest in Quebec at 73%.
In our latest Spark Insights nationwide survey (3450 cases, online, May 10-14) we found Carney government approval at 67%, similar to our results in April. A majority in every part of the country indicates approval, the lowest level being 61% in Alberta, and the highest in Quebec at 73%.
Mark Carney says Canada can become an energy superpower, given its potential in oil, gas, electricity, solar, and wind. But as we are seeing now, to get there, some old promises need to change. Is that price too high? Is the Liberal Party's unity at stake? Just some of the questions and one of the issues for Chantal and Bruce...
Americans are impatient with their chaotic President. For a shockingly long time, they seemed willing to shrug off his juvenile framing of complex issues. Some winced, many looked away. Millions marched, and the rest of the world wondered why it wasn’t millions more. Trump will never stop being Trump. But he’s got fewer cards. He’s spending billions on a war...
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the federalist side is dragging its feet in organizing for a likely referendum on separation in Alberta. Are they, and if so, why? There's a lot happening on the Alberta story, and it seems to get messier by the week. Bruce and Chantal have their Good Talk thoughts on this and more.
The absence of a visible leader of the Democrats will help, not hurt Democratic Party chances in the midterms.
The message from Mark Carney to Conservative MP Jamil Jivani was very clear -- there's only one player on the Canadian team negotiating with the US and that's his government. But is there? Jivani is in Washington again saying he's working for Canada. The plot thickens. Plus, Avi Lewis passes up another opportunity to run for the party he leads...
71% of Albertans don't want to leave Canada. 17% do. Who can influence the other 12% and what will matter to them? 120 years ago Alberta became a Canadian province. This year, residents may or may not have a vote on whether they want to remain. The proposed questions of the Smith government aren’t directly on this question - they...
71% of Albertans don't want to leave Canada. 17% do. Who can influence the other 12% and what will matter to them? 120 years ago Alberta became a Canadian province. This year, residents may or may not have a vote on whether they want to remain. The proposed questions of the Smith government aren’t directly on this question - they...
The Prime Minister keeps his cool in public, but he's said to sometimes lose that cool in private. Doesn't suffer fools well and demands action not foot dragging. This week we saw him come close to bluntly telling the Americans to back off with the demands and get with the program on trade talks. That's just one of the things...
While campaigning for the presidency in Portland, in 1932, Franklin Roosevelt told a crowd “my friends, judge me by the enemies I’ve made.”. In a 2015 Presidential debate, Anderson Cooper asked the candidates which enemy they were most proud of making. There’s a deep history of politics about picking your enemies as deliberately as you choose your friends.
But young people are more tempted by the idea, and federalists should concentrate on narrowing that generation gap. In 1980, 40% of Quebecers voted to separate. Fifteen years later, 49% took that position in a second referendum. Fast forward 30 years, and the Parti Quebecois is promising a third referendum if they win the next election, a promise that is...
But young people are more tempted by the idea, and federalists should concentrate on narrowing that generation gap. In 1980, 40% of Quebecers voted to separate. Fifteen years later, 49% took that position in a second referendum. Fast forward 30 years, and the Parti Quebecois is promising a third referendum if they win the next election, a promise that is...
Almost two months ago, Pierre Poilievre seemed to have rounded a corner. The "attack dog" politician became, or so it seemed, the friendly one, talking about respect and a time for unity. Well those days are gone, long gone, after a week where the old Poilievre seemed back in full force. Bruce and Chantal are back with their assessments of...
Our latest Spark Insights polling (Sample 4026, nationwide, online, April 4-8) finds the Liberals (46%) well ahead of the Conservatives (32%) buttressed by a 19 point lead in BC, a 17 point lead in Ontario, and 20 points ahead of the BQ in Quebec. Underpinning this support is wide approval (65%) of the government’s performance. Liberal governments have historically faced...
Our latest Spark Insights polling (Sample 4026, nationwide, online, April 4-8) finds the Liberals (46%) well ahead of the Conservatives (32%) buttressed by a 19 point lead in BC, a 17 point lead in Ontario, and 20 points ahead of the BQ in Quebec. Underpinning this support is wide approval (65%) of the government’s performance. Liberal governments have historically faced...