What makes you angry? Inflation, Gas Prices and ‘Freedom Convoy’ Top Canada’s ‘Anger Index’

Anger is in, a new survey suggests.

Pollara Strategic Insights has released a new monthly “anger index” to gauge public opinion about Canadians’ views on the government, the economy and current events.

In its inaugural survey, the company found that 83 percent of respondents “feel angry” about the rate of inflation and 79 percent about gasoline prices.

Nearly two-thirds, 64 percent, are still upset about last winter’s so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests that occupied downtown Ottawa for three weeks and illegally blocked the Ambassador Bridge linking Windsor to Detroit.

More than half, 57 percent, are angry about airport delays, 55 percent about the housing market and 45 percent about passport renewal problems.

“This is all really a byproduct of the post-COVID psyche,” Dan Arnold, Pollara’s chief strategy officer, said Friday.

“During COVID, people were able to get together. Now that that moment has passed, all this anger that has built up over the last two and a half years comes out,” Arnold said.

“At this point, it’s more moody than outright rage.”

Pollara surveyed 2,013 people across the country using an online panel from July 25 to August 2.

It’s a voluntary participation survey, but for comparison purposes, a random sample of this size would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

As first published in the Star last week, Pollara found that two-thirds of Canadians fear inflation will rise for at least another year and only one in six say their wages are holding up.

Arnold said that explains why anger over the rate of inflation, which Statistics Canada reported was 7.6 percent in July, tops the anger index.

“Inflation is the dominant problem facing Canadians right now,” the pollster said. “It’s something that people are angry and upset about. It shocks everyone.

“Renewing your passport doesn’t affect everyone, but everyone has to buy food.”

In that sense, it is understandable that the price of gasoline is also the most important, Arnold added.

But the third most cited source of anger was the February convoy demonstrations, when truckers protesting COVID-19 vaccination mandates occupied city blocks around Parliament Hill.

At the same time, other protesters illegally blocked the Ambassador Bridge, costing the Canadian economy an estimated $700 million a day.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Doug Ford invoked emergency measures legislation to end the protests.

The response to the convoys “is interesting, given how long it’s been,” Arnold said.

“It speaks to the frustration that has built up on both sides of this issue. There is a lot of anger from those who oppose the mandates and also directed at those who refuse to get vaccinated,” he said.

“The protests seem to be an indicator of many other frustrations.”

In fact, 60 percent of those surveyed said “the latest stories in the news” were a source of anger. Only 5% were happy with what they read, saw or heard, and 35% were neutral.

More than half, 55 per cent, said they were angry at “the kinds of changes happening in Canada”, with 9 per cent happy and 35 per cent neutral.

About the same number, 53 percent, expressed frustration with the Canadian economy, with just 10 percent happy and 36 percent neutral.

However, in terms of their “own personal financial situation,” 32 percent were angry, while 35 percent were happy and 33 percent neutral.

Federal and provincial governments need to take into account that Canadians feel moody, Arnold said.

Nearly half, 48 percent, said they were angry at Ottawa, while 17 percent said they were happy and 36 percent neutral.

Similarly, an average of 46 percent were angry with their provincial government, from 63 percent in Alberta to 36 percent in British Columbia.

In Ontario, 49 percent were angry at Queen’s Park, while in Quebec only 37 percent were angry at their provincial government.

Overall, an average of 21 per cent of Canadians were happy with their provincial governments, with 32 per cent neutral.

“There is a perception that people are moody and frustrated,” Arnold said.

“Not really surprising after (more than) two years of a COVID-19 pandemic.”

Robert Benzie is the bureau chief for Star’s Queen’s Park and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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