A new Abacus Data survey shows a high level of support for increased military spending, a sign that Canadians are adapting to a more chaotic and dangerous world.
According to the poll, 62% of Canadians support the plan to hit 2% of defence spending this fiscal year. 18% say they ‘accept’ the plan, while 9% oppose it. Support is highest among Liberal voters, 74% of whom support the defence spending hike. 60% of Conservative supporters and 51% of NDP voters are supportive. Opposition is highest among Conservatives, with 12% of them opposing the higher defence spending levels, while 9% of New Democrats and 4% of Liberals are opposed.
When asked about the importance of the Canadian Armed Forces in different areas (respondents could pick their top two), respondents prioritized defending Canadian territory and sovereignty (72%) and responding to natural disasters in Canada (71%). Other areas, such as contributing to peacekeeping missions, supporting NATO and international alliances, and supporting global security, were lower on the list, though opposition to all options remains low.
When asked what the key problems facing the Canadian Armed Forces were, 42% picked outdated equipment, 40% said recruitment challenges, and 31% said unreadiness for modern threats such as cyberattacks.
Overall, we are seeing the Canadian electorate respond in a logical and sophisticated manner to a rapidly changing world. While defence spending was deprioritized for decades, Canadians are recognizing the unsustainability of such national vulnerability, and are giving the federal government wide latitude to raise military spending. With support far outweighing opposition across the political spectrum, Canadian rearmament is likely to become entrenched, with debates centring around the specifics of that rearmament, rather than rearmament itself.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube
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