(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – More adults in Canada believe the House of Commons was wrong to lengthen the country’s military mission in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 58 per cent of respondents disagree with the decision to extend the mandate until the end 2011, up four points in two months.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – More adults in Canada believe the House of Commons was wrong to lengthen the country’s military mission in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 58 per cent of respondents disagree with the decision to extend the mandate until the end 2011, up four points in two months.
Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.
At least 866 soldiers—including 86 Canadians—have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by Stephen Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.
In May 2006, the House of Commons extended Canada’s mission in Afghanistan until February 2009. In March 2008, the House of Commons voted 198-77 to prolong the military deployment until the end of 2011. The Conservative and Liberal parties supported the motion, while the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois opposed it.
On Jul. 7, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Canada Omar Samad discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "This is what we’re facing today—an escalation. I think the upcoming year is going to be treacherous and dangerous for all of us involved with bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan."
Polling Data
As you may know, the House of Commons has authorized an extension of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan until the end of 2011, which is conditional on Canada coming up with unmanned aerial vehicles and transport helicopters, and NATO providing an additional 1,000 troops in the south. Do you agree or disagree with the decision to extend Canada’s mission in Afghanistan until the end of 2011?
|
Jul. 2008 |
May 2008 |
Mar. 2008 |
|
|
Agree |
36% |
41% |
37% |
|
Disagree |
58% |
54% |
58% |
|
Not sure |
6% |
6% |
5% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,004 Canadian adults, conducted on Jul. 2 and Jul. 3, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
Other poll highlights:
53% say Canadian mission in Afghanistan is a war mission
28% believe the Harper government has effectively explained the mission in Afghanistan
73% think Canada is shouldering too much of the burden of NATO’s mission in Afghanistan
59% claim the Afghan people are clearly benefiting from Canadian efforts in their country
35% would agree with the Canadian government actively negotiating with the Taliban
