75 Years Later, Honouring World War II Still Matters to Canadians
Toronto, ON, May 6, 2020 — Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Allied Forces’ victory over Nazi Germany, a new global study conducted by Ipsos reveals that Canadians still believe in the significance of commemorating the service and sacrifices made during the conflict and more so than most other countries. Three in four (75%) Canadians agree that it is important to hold ceremonies in remembrance of World War II; this compares to a much lower global average of 55%.
The high sense of pride among Canadians is also evident with a clear majority (69%) agreeing (47% strongly, 22% somewhat) that they are proud of their nation’s role during World War II. This strong agreement among Canadians (47%) places it among the countries with highest associated pride after Russia (67%), Ukraine (54%), and Great Britain (53%), all much ahead of the global average of 25%.
More than a million Canadians served in the Second World War and many have a direct, familial link - 48% of the Canadians surveyed report that some of their relatives or ancestors served in the armed forces during World War II; 14% that some of them died fighting in it and 8% that some died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, or starvation during that war.
Three-quarters of a century later, Canadians continue to feel the influence of the war - almost half (46%) of Canadians agree that political life in Canada is still influenced by the events and the outcomes of the conflict. This predicament is not very different in other countries with 42% of global citizens recognizing the impact in their own countries.
Significance of commemoration shared across generations of Canadians
Those aged 50-74 are significantly more likely to report having relatives or ancestors who served in the armed forces during World War II (57% vs. 38% of those under 35 and 48% of those aged 35-49); Not surprisingly, this personal association lends a higher sense of pride among boomers: 76% of those aged 50-74 express being proud of the nation’s role in the war. While still high among other generations, this drops to 62% among those aged 18-34, and 66% among those aged 35-54.
However, the belief that it is important to commemorate World War II is not necessarily tied with the personal association or familial service in the war. A similar proportion of Canadians agree that it is important to hold ceremonies in remembrance of World War II (Men: 75%, Women: 76%, Those aged 18-49: 74%, Those aged 50-74: 78%) indicating that Canadian men and women, as well as young and old alike, are united in honouring and remembering those who served.
About the Study
These are findings from a Global Advisor survey titled 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II: A Global View conducted by Ipsos among 20,005 adults aged 18-74 in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey and 16-74 in 23 other markets, March 20 – April 3, 2020. It was carried out via the Ipsos Online Panel System in 28 markets.
Approximately 1000+ individuals were surveyed in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland), France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. Approximately 500+ individuals were surveyed in Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Hungary, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and Ukraine.
The samples in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. can be taken as representative of these countries’ general adult population under the age of 75.
The samples in Brazil, Chile, China (mainland), India, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, and Ukraine are more urban, more educated, and/or more affluent than the general population. The survey results for these markets should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of these populations.
The data is weighted so that each market’s sample composition best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data.
Where results do not sum to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don't knows or not stated responses.
The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points and of 500 accurate to +/- 4.8 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.
The publication of these findings abides by local rules and regulations.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Darrell Bricker
Global CEO, Ipsos Public Affairs
416-324-2001
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people. Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com
