Majority (59%) of Americans, Minority of Canadians (41%) Would Support Their Country Participating in a Pre-Emptive Strike Against Iran's Nuclear-Enrichment Program

Toronto, ON - In response to Israel's public discussions about the possibility of launching a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear-enrichment program, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Munk Debate has revealed that a majority (59%) of Americans would `support' (25% strongly/34% somewhat) the United States of America participating in a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear enrichment program, while four in ten (42%) `oppose' (16% strongly/26% somewhat) such a strike.

Conversely, four in ten (41%) Canadians `support' (12% strongly/29% somewhat) Canada participating in a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear-enrichment facilities, while a majority (59%) `opposes' (29% strongly/30% somewhat) this type of action against Iran.. It is interesting to note, however, that there still exists a significant amount of support in Canada for a military strike, considering Canada's recent withdrawal from combat in Afghanistan and its solid opposition towards the military campaign in Iraq.

Today, the Munk Debates announced that Iran's nuclear ambitions would be the topic for its tenth semi-annual event, to be held in Toronto on Monday, November 26th.

CNN's Fareed Zakaria and Middle East scholar and former diplomat Vali Nasr will argue against the debate motion "the world cannot tolerate an Iran with nuclear weapons capability". Their opponents will be columnist Charles Krauthammer and former head of Israeli military intelligence Amos Yadlin. - more information at www.munkdebates.com.

The survey data also reveal that the importance of dealing with the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran appears near the top of the list of possible global threats, with both Americans (#2) and Canadians (#3) placing it near the top. Below are the Canadian rankings, compared with the American rankings:

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To this point, both Canadians and Americans generally feel that the level and quality of public debate around Iran and its nuclear-enrichment program are both wanting:

• Both Canadians and Americans agree that the debate thus far has been more one-sided than fair and balanced: Americans (57% one-sided vs. 43% fair and balanced); Canadians (60% one-sided vs. 40% fair and balanced).
• Canadians are more likely than Americans to believe that the level of debate thus far is of low quality: Canadians (62% of low quality vs. 38% of high quality); Americans (54% of low quality vs. 46% of high quality).
• They both agree that the debate has been more rooted in fear than fact: Canadians (58% rooted in fear vs. 42% rooted in fact); Americans (55% rooted in fear vs. 45% rooted in fact).
• Canadians and Americans are more split on whether the debate thus far has been knowledgeable and informed or sensationalist. Americans are slightly more likely to believe that the debate is knowledgeable and informed, while more Canadians believe the debate has been sensationalist: Americans (53% knowledgeable and informed vs. 47% sensationalist); Canadians (53% sensationalist vs. 47% knowledgeable and informed).

Adopting Position of Pre-Emptive Strike Against Iran Doesn't Boost Either Presidential Candidate's Fortunes...

Today's poll, released a day before the second presidential debate in Hempstead, N.Y., reveals that neither presidential candidate has much to gain if, as part of their campaign, they adopted a "redline" where the US would undertake pre-emptive military action against Iran's nuclear-enrichment program should the Iranian government develop the capability to build a nuclear weapon. Two in ten (21%) Americans say they would be `more likely' to vote for Democratic Candidate President Barack Obama if he adopted this position, compared to 27% who would be `less likely' to vote for him as a result, while 52% say there would be no change in their likelihood to vote for him. This results in a net score of -6 percentage points.

For Republican Candidate Mitt Romney the divide is less pronounced, but still has a net negative effect. One quarter (24%) say they would be `more likely' to vote for him if he adopted this position, compared to 26% who claim that they would be `less likely' to vote for Romney as a result. Half (50%) say that their likelihood of voting for Romney wouldn't change if he adopted this position.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between October 2nd to 5th, 2012 in Canada and October 2nd to 7th, 2012 in the United States on behalf of the Munk Debates. For this survey, a sample of 1,007 Canadians and 1,002 Americans from Ipsos' online panels was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population in both countries according to their Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points of all Americans and Canadians in their respective general populations. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error. For more information on credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website at http://ipsos-na.com/dl/pdf/research/public-affairs/IpsosPA_CredibilityIntervals.pdf

For more information on this news release, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.324.2002
[email protected]

About 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 600 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.

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers 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 and they measure public opinion around the globe.

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