Geopolitical tensions fuel anxiety among Canadians, some turning to military service

Online searches for "how to join the military" have spiked in Canada since Donald Trump took office.

Rising tensions between Canada and the United States are prompting anxiety among Canadians, with some seeking ways to take action—including joining the military.

Mental health professionals say they have seen an increase in patients struggling with stress over geopolitical events, including concerns about trade disputes and shifting diplomatic relations.

“A lot of conversations with our clients, especially in the beginning stages of the conversation, begin talking about politics, what’s going on in the world. “ said Ken Fierheller, a Calgary-based counsellor with One Life Counselling and Coaching.

“It’s very anxiety-provoking,”

Since Donald Trump’s inauguration, many Canadians have voiced unease about the future of international relations, particularly as the U.S. president has made direct criticisms of Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S.

David Pattison, a Calgary resident, said it’s hard to know what these tensions mean for the average person.

“There’s uncertainty. I have a feeling of, I wonder why these things (tariffs) are being imposed? I’m sort of confused,” he said.

Fierheller said many of his clients feel overwhelmed by global events and struggle to find ways to cope.

“There’s this (feeling among Canadians of), it’s going to feel very compelling: ‘I need to do something. I should take some sort of action,’” he said.

“Ultimately, if we don’t take action, it just sort of lives within us, and that takes a toll.”

Military service

For some Canadians, that action appears to be military service.

Recruitment data from the Canadian Forces shows that enlistment is up by more than a thousand compared to the same period last year.

While officials have not directly linked the increase to tensions with the U.S., online searches for “how to join the military” have spiked since Trump took office.

Rob Huebert, a military historian at the University of Calgary, said this trend is not surprising.

“The fact that there’s an uptick right now doesn’t surprise me in the least,” he said.

A new Leger poll suggests 27 per cent of Canadians now see the United States as an “enemy” country, while 30 per cent said they still consider the U.S. an ally.

Meanwhile, only one per cent of Americans told Leger they consider Canada an enemy country while 56 per cent said they view us as an ally.

Huebert said Canada has a long history of people stepping up in times of perceived threat.

“The driving feature is, of course, that there is a growing realization that Canada may, in fact, be at risk -- and that always creates an upsurge of patriotism,” Huebert said.

No increase in gun sales

While some Canadians are turning to military service, there is little evidence of individuals preparing in other ways.

Gun store owners told CTV they have not seen a noticeable rise in firearm sales.

Fierheller said that while global uncertainty is contributing to stress, Canadians should focus on managing what is within their control.

“What can we control in our own environment, our own world? I think that’s what we really need to focus in on,” he said.

“There’s going to be pockets of wonderful, amazing things happening in the world every day … I think focusing in on moments is what’s important.”