Polls & Research

Support for Afghanistan Role Drops in Canada

- Fewer adults in Canada believe their country's soldiers should be actively involved in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by Can West Global. 47 per cent of respondents support the use of Canada's troops for security and combat efforts against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, down five points since March.

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.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January. 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. Since February, Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.

In May, the House of Commons extended Canada's mission in Afghanistan until February 2009. At least 420 soldiers—including 23 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).

On Aug. 3, Harper vowed to stay the course, saying, "For those who have lost their family or their colleagues, these are always terrible moments. As fellow Canadians, I know that we all share their grief. But what the men and women in harm's way want and need to know in moments like this is that their government and Canadians stand behind their missions." 52 per cent of respondents believe Canadian troops should not be deployed in Afghanistan and should be brought home as soon as possible.

Polling Data

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of Canada's troops for security and combat efforts against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan?

And which of the following two statements most closely reflects your opinion?