New poll shows Canadians committed to peacekeeping

A new Nanos research poll conducted for the Globe and Mail indicates that Canadians think peacekeeping is more important than combat missions (Campbell Clark, ”Canadians pick peacekeeping over combat,” Globe and Mail, 25 October 2010).

According to the poll, Canadians are strongly opposed to sending troops on any future missions reminiscent of Canada’s role in Afghanistan. Peacekeeping, on the other hand, tops the list of what Canadians would like to see their soldiers doing in the future.

The poll found that 52 percent of respondents rated UN peacekeeping as an important role for Canada’s armed forces. Second in importance to peacekeeping, with 44 percent of respondents considering it important, was North American security co-operation. A mere 21 percent of respondents rated combat missions as an important role for the Canadian armed forces.

The poll also found that funding the military ranks low among Canadians’ government spending priorities. According to the poll, 79 percent of Canadians view healthcare as the highest priority for government spending. Next comes jobs and the economy, with 73 percent support. By contrast, only 40 percent of those polled consider military spending important.

For a more detailed look at the poll results click here.

Tags: Canadian public opinion, Defence policy, Military spending, UN peacekeeping