Canadians Support Afghanistan Mission (57%) But Not Keen On Two Year Mission Extension (44%)

Toronto, ON - According to an Ipsos Reid survey conducted on behalf of CanWest/Global, support from Canadians for the mission in Afghanistan is strong, but they are not keen on the Prime Minister's plans to extend the mission to February 2009.

The survey, which was conducted over the days of the short Parliamentary debate and subsequent narrow vote win for the Minority ruling Conservatives in extending the Canadian Afghanistan mission until 2009 and the announcement of the death of Captain Nichola Goddard, Canada's Latest casualty in Afghanistan, shows that while a majority of Canadians (57%, 29% strongly) support the "use of Canada's troops for security and combat efforts against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan", that support falls to just 44% among those initially predisposed when asked if they support the two year extension.

Support for the original mission is up from the 52% recorded at the end of March 2006. Forty percent oppose Canada's troop operations in Afghanistan (25% strongly oppose).

Support/Oppose: Use of Canada's troops for security and combat efforts against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan?

• Support is highest Alberta (70%) and Atlantic Canada (69%), and is lowest in Quebec (37%).

As noted, among those who offer their support for the mission in Afghanistan (57%), three-quarters (77%) support the Conservative's plan to extend Canada's military commitment in Afghanistan to February 2009 (36% strongly support). As such, the extension of the mission in Afghanistan is only supported by 44% of all Canadians.

Support/Oppose: Conservative government extending Canada's military commitment in Afghanistan to February 2009.

• Support is highest in Alberta (66%) and Atlantic Canada (54%).

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted for CanWest/Global News and fielded from May 16-18th, 2006. For this survey, a representative randomly selected sample of 1003 Canadians was interviewed by telephone. With a sample of this size, the aggregate results are considered accurate to within 1773.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within each sub-grouping of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.324.2900
[email protected]

Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 300 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2005, Ipsos generated global revenues of Euro 717.8 million ($853.8 million U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.