Two Thirds (64%) Support Use of Canadian Forces Fighter Jets in Airstrikes against ISIL Targets in Iraq

Toronto, ON - As Canadians await Prime Minister Stephen Harper's announcement to the House of Commons on Canada's potential expansion of Canadian Forces to the broader international coalition engagement against the ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) beyond a group of Canadian military advisors already on the ground, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global News indicates that a full majority (64%) of Canadians support a further deployment with Canadian air power to the region.

The poll finds that two thirds (64%) Canadians `support' (29% strongly/34% somewhat) `Canada sending Canadian Forces fighter jets to participate in airstrikes against ISIL targets in Iraq', while one in three (36%) `opposes' (16% strongly/21% somewhat) Canada's participation in the potential mission.

This mission appears to receive more support than past missions in which Canadian Forces were involved in the last decade, however this current mission would only include airstrikes, while past data was in the context of whether there ought to be Canadian boots on the ground:

• Ipsos polling in 2002 showed that only 44% of Canadians agreed that if the United States took military action towards Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein, Canada should support them by sending its own armed forces to help. A majority (55%) disagreed that Canada should participate. In 2003, six in ten (59%) Canadians were glad that Canada stayed out of Iraq.
• In 2001, Ipsos polling revealed that 72% supported US led airstrikes in Afghanistan, and six in ten (61%) supported a combat role for Canadian troops in Afghanistan, compared to 33% who only wanted Canada's role to be peacekeeping.
• In 2012, four in ten (41%) Canadians supported Canada's participation in a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear-enrichment program.
• In 2011, seven in ten (70%) Canadians supported NATO's intervention in Libya, in support of a United Nations Resolution.

Support for the current airstrike mission is strong among almost every demographic group studied:

• Seven in ten (71%) Ontarians support Canada's participation in the air strikes, followed by those living in Alberta (69%), British Columbia (64%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (56%), Atlantic Canada (55%), and Quebec (53%).
• Men (70%) are considerably more likely to support Canada's involvement than women (58%), however a majority of both groups support it.
• Those aged 55+ (75%) are more likely than those aged 35 to 54 (61%) or 18-34 (53%) to support the use of CF fighter jets against ISIL targets.
• Among those who haven't finished high school, support is split at 50%/50%. However, among those with a high school diploma (65%), some post-secondary education (66%) or a university degree (64%), support is much higher.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between September 30 to October 1, 2014 on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,003 Canadians from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/ 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadian adults been polled. 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 this news release, please contact:

Darrell Bricker, PhD
CEO
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 509-8460
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader and the country's leading provider of public opinion research. 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 Canada, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and on-line panels. Ipsos Reid's Canadian marketing research and public affairs practices are staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, offering the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada--all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group. To learn more, visit www.ipsos.ca

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. Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry.

With offices in 86 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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