East Coast residents most proud to be Canadian: poll

A new study finds Canadian pride is soaring.

When it comes to Canadian pride, the East Coast is leading the pack, according to a new poll by marketing research firm Leger.

The Canadian National Pride poll, which surveyed 1,580 Canadians earlier this month, found 90 per cent of Atlantic Canadians feel some degree of national pride, the highest percentage among the polled regions of the country.

The other regions (Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) scored in the high seventies and low eighties for total pride as Canadians.

“We typically haven’t historically been a really proud nation,” said Steve Mossop, executive vice president for western Canada with Leger. “You know, we’re almost apologetic at times.

“But the last three years has really seen a significant increase, especially since, you know, Trump and tariffs back a year ago.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen in my entire polling career, which is a long time, that we’ve seen this measurable increase. So it is, in a sense, good news. It is a catalyst for us, you know, binding together and being proud as a nation.”

The poll found 83 per cent of Canadians are proud of their national identity, which represents a seven per cent increase since June 2024. In February 2025, 85 per cent of respondents said they were proud to be Canadian.

“Over the past few months, 34% say their pride has increased, while 21% say it has declined,” the poll reads. “Among those whose pride has grown, 83% say it was influenced by Donald Trump’s remarks about Canada. Among those whose pride decreased, 74% attribute it to the recent federal election outcome.”

The poll noted 38 per cent of Atlantic Canadians said they feel more proud of their country over the last two-to-three months while 19 per cent feel less proud. Forty-three per cent said their feelings have not changed.

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Brianne Foley