OTTAWA — As struggle rages on within the Center East, a brand new Leger ballot suggests most Canadians consider the federal government of Canada ought to stay impartial, whereas one in 4 say Canada ought to assist the USA and Israel of their assaults on Iran.
The ballot, which was carried out on-line and may’t be assigned a margin of error, surveyed 1,608 Canadians between March 13 and March 16.
Respondents have been requested to point their degree of settlement with a number of statements about what the Canadian authorities’s place needs to be on the Iran struggle.
Sixty-seven per cent of Canadians stated Ottawa ought to stay impartial and never assist both aspect, whereas 1 / 4 of respondents stated the federal government of Canada ought to assist the USA and Israel.
13 per cent of these polled stated Canada ought to assist Iran, whereas one other 13 per cent stated Canada ought to try to assist each side of the battle.
Andrew Enns, Leger’s government vice-president for Central Canada, advised The Canadian Press it’s doable some Canadians consider this battle is one other “rash choice” by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“There’s numerous questions across the rule of worldwide legislation,” Enns stated. “I feel you see that nearly mirrored a bit within the numbers within the sense that individuals, I feel, fairly frankly like us to be impartial.
“However then you definitely do have that swath of Canada that kind of says Iran’s a nasty nation, perhaps we needs to be extra supportive.”
Males have been way more doubtless than girls to say Canada ought to assist the U.S. and Israel of their assaults on Iran — 33 per cent, in comparison with 18 per cent of ladies.
Liberal and Bloc Québécois voters have been extra more likely to say Canada ought to stay impartial — at 77 per cent every, in comparison with 53 per cent of Conservative voters.
Conservative voters have been extra more likely to say Canada ought to assist the U.S. and Israel of their assaults on Iran, at 45 per cent, in comparison with 18 per cent of Liberal voters.
“It virtually places the federal government in a bit extra of a troublesome spot as a result of I feel you see that slightly bit in how the prime minister and the minister of defence are being very cautious, selecting their phrases and generally getting caught up when it comes to what they are saying,” Enns stated.
“I feel it’s difficult for them as a result of I feel their supporters need a way more categoric, ‘That is actually unhealthy, we needs to be taking a powerful stand in opposition to it.’”
Respondents have been additionally requested to say in the event that they assist or oppose the U.S.-Israeli struggle on Iran, primarily based on what they’ve learn heard or seen concerning the battle.
Fifty-eight per cent of Canadians stated they oppose the struggle, whereas 25 per cent stated they assist it.
The ballot additionally surveyed 1,006 Individuals between March 13 and March 16. When requested the identical query, 44 per cent of American respondents stated they oppose the marketing campaign, whereas 38 per cent stated they assist it.
Greater than three in 4 Republican voters stated they assist the airstrikes on Iran, in comparison with 15 per cent of Democrat voters.
Canadian respondents have been additionally requested in the event that they have been involved concerning the Iran battle threatening Canada.
Seventy per cent stated they’re involved concerning the prospect of an elevated threat of a terrorist assault in Canada.
Sixty-nine per cent stated they’re frightened about Canadian army members being pulled into the battle.
Ninety-one per cent of Canadians stated they’re involved about the price of gasoline and groceries growing.
And 82 per cent stated they’re frightened about the specter of a world financial recession resulting in job losses in Canada.
“Canadians simply don’t really feel that they’ve recovered from a few of that basically excessive inflationary interval,” stated Enns. “I feel seeing the rising gasoline costs and questioning and worrying about what which means for meals costs down the street is disconcerting.”
The ballot additionally requested respondents if they might assist the Canadian authorities committing floor troops to the Iran battle in varied circumstances.
Virtually 60 per cent stated they might assist sending troops to defend a NATO member nation attacked by Iran.
Fifty-four per cent stated they’d assist the deployment of troops to guard oil refineries and transport to make sure the worldwide financial system shouldn’t be threatened.
Virtually 40 per cent stated they’d assist deployment to again efforts by a coalition of nations to vary the regime in Iran.
Canadians aged 55 and older have been extra more likely to assist backing a NATO member, at 69 per cent, in comparison with 57 per cent of Canadians aged 35 to 54 and 45 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34.
The ballot requested respondents if Canada ought to instantly take steps to broaden oil and pure gasoline manufacturing capability to make up the worldwide shortfall brought on by the struggle.
Virtually three-quarters of Canadians stated sure, whereas 9 per cent stated no and 17 per cent stated they didn’t know.
The polling business’s skilled physique, the Canadian Analysis Insights Council, says on-line surveys can’t be assigned a margin of error as a result of they don’t randomly pattern the inhabitants.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed March 18, 2026.
Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press