Should you’ve been following the information currently, you’ve got in all probability observed that Canada-U.S. relations have hit a severe tough patch.
Between President Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the “51st state,” an ongoing trade war, and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pointed jabs at the World Economic Forum in Davos, tensions between the 2 nations are operating excessive.
Whether or not issues will really boil over stays to be seen, however with the U.S. not too long ago invading Venezuela and continuing to pursue the acquisition of Greenland, many Canadians are questioning if army battle with their southern neighbour could possibly be on the horizon.
That chance appears particularly actual in Quebec, the place a brand new survey reveals some eye-opening attitudes about nationwide defence. In accordance with a latest ballot performed by GEF Consulting Inc., practically half of Quebecers (46.67%) stated they’d not personally volunteer to defend Canada within the occasion of a U.S. assault, making for one of many highest reluctance charges amongst provinces polled.
Quebec leads the nation in defence hesitation
The GEF Consulting survey, which polled 1,000 Canadians, discovered that Quebec had the best proportion of residents who stated “no manner” when requested in the event that they’d volunteer to battle towards a U.S. invasion.
That 46.67% determine places Quebec forward of Alberta (42.11%), Ontario (41.1%), and British Columbia (33.3%) by way of reluctance to take up arms for Canada.
In the meantime, 40% of Quebecers stated they’d help a draft within the occasion of an American invasion.
May Canada really arm itself?
Past private willingness to battle, Quebecers are additionally essentially the most involved about Canada’s skill to really arm itself in time.
When requested about potential obstacles to mounting an efficient defence towards one of many world’s largest militaries, 41% of Quebec respondents cited “procurement paralysis” — the shortcoming to purchase vital army {hardware} shortly and effectively — as their largest fear.
That concern outpaced different provinces, with Ontario at 40.4%, B.C. at 36.61%, and Alberta at 36.04%.
Who would assist Canada?
The survey additionally requested Quebecers which nations they assume would come to Canada’s help in a battle with the U.S.
France topped the checklist at 18.08%, adopted by the UK (17.16%), Australia (10.98%), and Germany (10.07%). New Zealand and Denmark tied at 8.92%.
Canadians see invasion as more and more potential
The Quebec-specific findings are a part of broader nationwide tendencies displaying rising unease about U.S. army aggression.
Total, 72.4% of Canadians now consider a U.S. invasion is a minimum of potential, marking a 6.1% improve since October 2025. Extra strikingly, 57.9% of Canadians really feel an invasion grew to become extra doubtless after the U.S. invaded Venezuela.
When requested if Canada’s present army may really defend towards an American assault, a mixed 79.3% of Canadians stated both “no” (54.7%) or “possibly” (24.6%).
Maybe most tellingly, when requested how a lot they’d personally pay in further taxes for correct nationwide defence towards the U.S., 40.1% of Canadians selected “$0 — we’ll simply apologize.”
One other 29.2% stated they’d pay $100 per 12 months, whereas solely 11.7% chosen the “$1,000+ per 12 months” possibility labelled because the “proud patriot” tier.