Canada and the United States share one of the world’s closest bilateral relationships, spanning trade, defence, travel, culture, and geography. But proximity does not always mean similarity.
Our latest survey of Canadians and Americans on Canada–U.S. relations shows a clear perception gap. Canadians are more likely to emphasize differences between the two countries, while Americans are more likely to see common ground. Still, both populations most often describe the relationship as one between neighbours, suggesting a relationship that is familiar and deeply connected, but not always emotionally close.
This comes at a time when Canada–U.S. relations remain highly visible, from diplomacy and defence to trade and cross-border issues. For a broader overview of the relationship, the Government of Canada provides context on Canada–United States relations. Our previous research has also looked at how Canadians and Americans view key cross-border issues and how recent trade tensions have affected confidence in Canada–U.S. trade relations.
Key Highlights
- Canadians are more likely to see a divide between the two populations: 51% believe Canadians and Americans are not similar, while 44% believe they are. Americans see more common ground, with 69% believing the two populations are similar.
- Canadians hold a mixed view of the United States: 34% do not admire the U.S. at all, while 29% somewhat admire it and 26% admire it “a little.”
- Canadians are much more likely to give their own country the edge on personal and cultural traits: 64% believe Canadians are generally nicer than Americans, and 54% believe Canadians are generally more cultured.
- Arrogance stands out as one of the strongest perceived differences: 66% of Canadians believe Americans are generally more arrogant than Canadians.
- The relationship is most often seen as one between neighbours, chosen by 56% of Canadians and 54% of Americans. However, Americans are more likely than Canadians to describe the two countries as close friends.
Canadians See a Wider Gap Between the Two Countries
One of the clearest findings is that Canadians and Americans do not view each other through the same lens. Canadians are divided, with a slight majority saying the two populations are not similar. Americans, by contrast, are much more likely to see Canadians and Americans as alike.
The same divide shows up in how each side describes the other. Canadians are more likely to draw contrasts between the two countries, particularly when it comes to friendliness, culture, arrogance, and international reputation. Americans, meanwhile, are more likely to see little difference or to be unsure, suggesting that Canada may occupy a less sharply defined place in the American public imagination.
Canada Leads on Reputation, but Opportunity Is More Competitive
When it comes to global reputation, Canada clearly comes out ahead. More than eight in ten Canadians believe Canada has a better, more positive reputation among other countries than the United States. Americans are more divided, but they are still more likely to choose Canada than the U.S. on this measure.
Opportunity tells a more competitive story. Canadians are more likely to choose Canada as the country that offers better opportunities for someone willing to work hard, while Americans are more likely to choose the United States. In other words, Canada may have the reputation advantage, but the U.S. still holds a strong pull when it comes to the idea of upward mobility and economic ambition.
Neighbours First, Close Friends Second
Despite these differences, both Canadians and Americans most often describe the relationship as one between neighbours. That choice says a lot: it suggests proximity, familiarity, and ongoing connection, but not necessarily deep affection.
The emotional gap becomes clearer when looking at the “close friends” response. Only 8% of Canadians describe the two countries this way, compared with 20% of Americans. Canadians are also more likely to see the relationship as one between rivals. The takeaway is not that the relationship is weak, but that Canadians and Americans are not attaching the same emotional meaning to it.
Methodology
This study is based on an online survey of 1,528 Canadian residents and 1,015 American residents aged 18 and older, conducted from June 19 to 21, 2026, using Leger’s LEO online panel. Results were weighted to reflect the Canadian and American populations. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample, but for comparison, probability samples of this size would have margins of error of ±2.5% for the Canadian sample and ±3.1% for the American sample, 19 times out of 20.