Canadians split on concerns over U.S. potentially increasing border security measures: survey

With the American presidential election on the horizon, a new survey shows that Canadians are split on concerns over the U.S. potentially increasing security measures at the border with Canada.

With the American presidential election on the horizon, a new survey shows that Canadians are split on concerns over the U.S. potentially increasing security measures at the border with Canada.

The survey, conducted by Nanos Research, found that 46 per cent of respondents across the country said they were concerned or somewhat concerned about the U.S. potentially increasing border security measures for Canadians wishing to visit the U.S., while 52 per cent said they were not concerned or somewhat not concerned.

"You know, we are a border country. Ninety per cent of Canadians live within a one-hour drive of the border," Nik Nanos, chair of Nanos Research and CTV News' official pollster, said on the latest episode of Trend Line. "The border is important to Canada and we're very sensitive to any changes."

Concerns were highest in Atlantic Canada, where 52.6 per cent of respondents said they were concerned or somewhat concerned, followed by Ontario at 49.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Prairies had the highest percentage of respondents (58.2 per cent) who said they were not concerned, followed by Quebec at 54.2 per cent.

Women were also more likely to express concerns about potential border security measures (50.5 per cent) compared to men (41 per cent). Concerns were also higher among those 55 and older (50.8 per cent) and lower among Canadians aged 18 to 34 (40.7 per cent).