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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Afghanistan a Lost Cause for Canadians
- Canadians adults remain concerned about their country's participation in the war on terrorism, according to a poll by Decima Research released by the Canadian Press. 59 per cent of respondents believe Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan are dying for a cause that cannot be won.
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.
In March, Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper travelled to Afghanistan—his first official trip as head of government. Harper dismissed any changes to the mission.
At least 480 soldiers—including 37 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).
Last month, former prime minister Paul Martin criticized the way Harper has conducted Canada's participation in Afghanistan. Harper defended his rationale, saying, "When you make those kinds of decisions as a prime minister you have to be able to take responsibility for them and stick with them. The fact that Mr. Martin is unable to do that illustrates why he is no longer prime minister."
Polling Data
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? - Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan are dying for a cause we cannot win.
Agree | 59% |
Disagree | 34% |
Not sure | 7% |
Source: Decima Research / Canadian Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,038 Canadian adults, conducted from Sept. 8 to Sept. 18, 2006. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.