The CTV title, “Canadians support Palestine state recognition: survey,” is misleading. Dorcas Marfo reports that “a new Angus Reid Institute survey reveals that a majority of Canadians support recognizing Palestine as a state even if it complicates negotiations with the U.S.” But does the Angus Reid poll really state that plainly? It does not.
The Angus Reid institute only states that Canadian resolve on trade negotiations hardens as country faces day one of increased tariffs. That is a very different title from Marfo’s “Canadians support Palestine state recognition: survey.”
The Angus Reid poll is more likely indicative of Canadian opposition to Trump threatening Canada over Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcing that he’s prepared to recognize Palestinian statehood. There is ample evidence of Canada’s “elbows up” stance with respect to Trump. That stance represents opposition to Trump punishing Canada, which is NOT the same as majority support for Palestinian statehood, as Dorcas Marfo concludes.
A little background about the term “elbows up”: it started to be used in Canada as a kind of rallying cry as tensions rose in response to Trump’s original tariffs announcement against Canada. The phrase itself is a hockey term to instruct players to be ready against an opponent. It originates from Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe, who would ward off opponents with his elbows, thus earning him the name “Mr. Elbows.”
So the poll is really stating that if Trump is threatening Canada in trade negotiations because of Carney’s stance on Palestinian statehood, most Canadians back the Canadian prime minister. Whether or not one agrees with Canada’s “elbows up” stance isn’t the topic here. The point is that CTV is trying to make the Angus Reid poll about Canadian support for Palestinian statehood, which was not its focus. The poll shows support for Canada being tough in trade negotiations. Palestinian statehood is just a side issue in those negotiations.
All too often, the media fills in blanks, spins and editorializes on news, intending to sway public opinion instead of simply reporting the facts.
“Canadians support Palestine state recognition: survey,” by Dorcas Marfo, CTV News, August 4, 2025:
A new Angus Reid Institute survey reveals that a majority of Canadians support recognizing Palestine as a state even if it complicates negotiations with the U.S.
That support comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on July 30 that Canada will recognize Palestine as an independent state in September.
Despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Canada’s stance could make a trade deal “very hard” to achieve, 63 per cent of survey respondents say that Canada should go forth with the recognition even if Trump objects.
The public sentiment unfolds against a backdrop of escalating trade talks between Canada and the U.S., triggered by a Trump-imposed 35 per cent tariff on Canadian imports not covered by CUSMA.
Canadians who support Carney’s decision outweigh 20 per cent of Canadians who think the nation should reverse course to safeguard trade relations. Another 17 per cent of respondents were unsure.
Canadians double down on tariffs
Meanwhile, public backing for Carney’s tougher negotiation strategy is strengthening. According to the poll, nearly seven in 10 now support a “hardball” approach to talks, preferring retaliatory tariffs even if they risk financial hardship at home. That figure rose from 63 per cent in July to 69 per cent in August.
Fifty-eight per cent of Canadians also say the country should match the U.S. dollar-for-dollar on tariffs. Another eight per cent support a more measured tariff response, while just 18 per cent would prefer Canada hold back to avoid worsening the trade talks.…
somehistory says
How many “respondents” are mozzie? That is the question.
Sick Of It says
The only thing Canadians want is no more Muslims and get every one here out! Sick of driving by their Death Temples and seeing them scream “free free Palestine” in our streets! Deep deep hatred is being grown here,not healthy and hatred for Liberal Scum is getting very deep as well!!!!
Major Tom says
Propaganda!
Arty says
Canadian here. What the true numbers are, we can’t know because the majority of media here is as left-leaning as it is in the US. Suffice to say Canada is a socialist country, with all that that entails, so don’t underestimate the intransigence and stupidity of the average Canadian.
On the other hand, many of us support Trump’s MAGA agenda and believe Israel should take back Gaza and never let the so-called Palestinians control it again.
gravenimage says
+1
Mike says
“…don’t underestimate the intransigence and stupidity of the average Canadian.”
Truer words were never spoken, as the continued dominance of the Communist (oops, I mean Liberal) party proves.
John Morrison says
Click bait seems to be the order of the day now with the MSM.
Petey says
These Canadians in this survey were probably not real Canadians and probably in Eastern Canada.
Our Liberal government has done a bang up job of letting in too many non Christians, like the UK, France and Germany our rights and freedoms are being scaled back so we don’t offend these non Christians. As well our country’s identity is disappearing.
E T says
No, it is not true, it is horse pucky.
gravenimage says
Canada’s CTV: ‘Canadians support Palestine state recognition.’ But is this really true?
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Thanks so much for that background, Ms. Douglass-Williams. Pretty much what I thought.
Stang says
We are being blitz by misinformation on a daily bases up here. It reminds me of the old Soviet Union. In our case we have the government run propaganda machines, ctv, cbc, and global news. Okay a couple iof
years ago we said we could take care of this ourselves. But this corrupt lying bunch of communists has managed to convince more people up here that our best friends and closest allies are tthe enemy . I’m not sure if it s the water , the propaganda or the combination of the two but it’s gotten totally out of control
You can send the military anytime