Two-Thirds (66%) of Canadians Support Combat Role For Canadian Troops in Afghanistan Versus One-Third (33%) Who Favour Traditional Peacekeeping Role

Toronto, ONTARIO - According to an Ipsos-Reid/Globe and Mail/CTV poll released today, two-thirds (66%) of Canadians support the combat role for Canadian troops being deployed to Afghanistan given the circumstances. The remaining one-third (33%) say they oppose the current mission because Canadian soldiers will not be used in the traditional peacekeeping role played during past conflicts.

Support is high across the country for the current combat role in Afghanistan, with the exception of Quebec. Regionally, the strongest boosters of Canada's combat role in Afghanistan are from Atlantic Canada (81%), followed by those in Alberta (76%), Ontario (71%), Saskatchewan/Manitoba (67%), and British Columbia (66%).

However, Quebec is divided on the issue, with 50% who oppose the use of Canada's forces in this way and 49% who support the combat role.

Men (70%) are more likely than woman (62%) to support Canada's combat role in Afghanistan.

These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid/Globe and Mail/CTV poll conducted between January 8th and 10th. The poll is based on a randomly selected sample of 1,000 adult Canadians. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 3.1 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 regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 1996 Census data.

To view the complete media release and tables please download the attached PDF file.

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For more information on this news release, please contact:
John Wright
Senior Vice-President
Public Affairs
Ipsos-Reid
(416) 324-2900

John Wright