Most Canadians support increasing defence spending to reach the two per cent target for NATO allies, according to a national survey conducted by Nanos for CTV News.
In 2021, Canada spent around 1.4 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on national defence, falling short NATO’s two per cent target. The country has not achieved this defence spending target since the 1980s.
Nanos asked 1,080 Canadians how they felt about the country’s defence spending and meeting NATO’s target. The majority of respondents (64 per cent) said Canada should increase its spending to reach the NATO target, while about one in five (21 per cent) said the country should maintain its current level of spending at 1.4 per cent of its GDP. Seven per cent answered Canada should spend less than the 1.4 per cent of its GDP it currently allocates to defence, and eight per cent said they were unsure.
A majority of people in all demographics surveyed—except for younger Canadians aged 18 to 34—agreed Canada should up its spending on defence to meet NATO’s targets.
People in Ontario were most likely to prefer Canada increasing defence spending (67.6 per cent), while people in British Columbia were least likely to support the idea (57.7 per cent). However, a majority of people in all regions across Canada prefer increasing defence spending.
Nanos also asked respondents if they were concerned about Canada’s military operational abilities causing tension with other NATO allies and defence partners. Nearly 70 per cent of people said they were either concerned (29 per cent) or somewhat concerned (40 per cent), while 15 per cent said they were somewhat not concerned and 13 per cent said they were not concerned. Three per cent of respondents said they were unsure.
Ontarians were once again most likely to be either concerned or somewhat concerned (72.3 per cent), while Quebecers were least likely to be concerned or somewhat concerned (62.8 per cent). Most people across all demographics surveyed said they were either concerned or somewhat concerned, with people aged 55 and older (76.1 per cent) and men (72.2 per cent) most likely to say the same.
Most Canadians (59 per cent) also said Canada should increase its military involvement in patrolling the Arctic to defend North American airspace as a member of Norad. One third (33 per cent) said the country should maintain about the same level of involvement, while three per cent of people answered Canada should decrease its involvement, and five per cent said they were unsure.
People living in the Prairies were most likely to want Canada to increase its military patrols in the Arctic (64.3 per cent), while men (64.3 per cent) and Canadians aged 55 and older (66.7 per cent) were most likely to say the same.
Nanos researchers also asked Canadians about expanding the country’s role in Haiti. Respondents were asked if they support Canada expanding that commitment to also send military troops to Haiti.
A narrow majority of Canadians said they either support (22 per cent) or somewhat support (33 per cent) putting Canadian boots on the ground in Haiti to help stop violence in the country. One in five respondents (20 per cent) said they somewhat oppose the idea, while 19 per cent said they outright oppose it.
The U.S. has asked Canada to lead a multi-national security mission to help stop violence in Haiti, which has been overrun with gang violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Canada has already committed to sending Royal Canadian Navy vessels.
People living in the Prairies (61.4 per cent) and people aged 35 to 54 (61 per cent) were most likely to support Canada sending troops to Haiti.
METHODOLOGY
Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land-and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,080 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between April 30th and May 3rd, 2023, as part of an omnibus survey.
Participants were randomly recruited by telephone using live agents and administered a survey online. The sample included both land-and cell-lines across Canada. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.
Individuals randomly called using random digit dialing with a maximum of five call backs.
The margin of error for this survey is ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
This study was commissioned by CTV News and the research was conducted by Nanos Research.
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
CHARLOTTETOWN – Public health officials in P.E.I. say more than 550 people have experienced symptoms of gastrointestinal illness after an outbreak of norovirus was detected at a shellfish festival last weekend.
The province’s chief public health officer says the new number is based on responses to an online questionnaire aimed at people who attended the P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival in Charlottetown from Sept. 19 to 22.
Public health officials say four ill people went to emergency departments and one person was hospitalized.
Norovirus, which is spread through contaminated foods or liquids,has been detected in stool samples from some of those who became ill after attending the festival.
To minimize the risk of gastrointestinal illness at future events, officials are recommending additional health inspections before and during the festival, enhanced sanitation during food preparation and preventing food handlers from working when sick.
Other recommendations include: having more hand-washing stations; working with a sanitation company to clean common touch surfaces daily; and keeping samples of prepared food in cold storage for at least 48 hours after the event has ended.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.
MONTREAL – More than 100 Quebec musicians, comedians and other artists are rallying behind a historic Montreal concert hall that temporarily closed its doors this week after a court ordered it to stop making too much noise.
Heavyweights of Quebec’s entertainment industry, like composer Robert Charlebois and singer-songwriter Coeur de pirate, signed the letter that was published in La Presse decrying the court ruling that led to La Tulipe’s decision to shut down.
This week the Court of Appeal ordered La Tulipe — which opened its doors more than a century ago — to ensure no noise from its sound equipment is audible in a neighbouring building.
Calling on the City of Montreal to intervene, the letter says the court ruling ignores cultural workers and that it has allowed unhappy neighbours to silence a “cultural jewel.”
On Thursday night, a crowd of protesters equipped with drums and other percussion instruments gathered in front of La Tulipe to show their support for the venue — and anger at the owner of the adjacent building that brought the venue to court.
That same day, The Plateau-Mont-Royal borough where La Tulipe is located took the first step to modify a bylaw, invoked by the court in its ruling, so that the rule no longer applies to concert halls.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be travelling to France next Thursday to attend the Francophonie summit.
The meeting of French-speaking countries, which happens every two years, will be held on Oct. 4 and 5 in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris.
The Prime Minister’s Office says Trudeau will work with other heads of state to further shared priorities including democracy and human rights.
Representatives from Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec will also be at the meetings.
Leaders are also expected to make a decision on applications to join the international francophonie body, including Nova Scotia’s application for observer status.
Trudeau has attended the summit four times since he was first elected in 2015.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.
