Key Takeaways:
- Almost a third of Canadians believe the United States might attempt "direct action" to take control of Canada.
- One-in-five Americans think the same about their government’s potential actions towards Canada.
- A majority of Canadians believe the U.S. intervened in Venezuela primarily to gain control of the country’s oil reserves.
- Over half of Canadians think the American intervention in Venezuela violated the country’s sovereignty and sets a bad precedent.
- The U.S. military operation in Venezuela has worsened the impression of the U.S. government among 56% of Canadians.
Introduction to the Poll
The recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela has sparked concerns among Canadians about the potential for similar actions to be taken against their own country. A new poll suggests that almost a third of Canadians believe the United States might attempt "direct action" to take control of Canada. This sentiment is shared by one-in-five Americans, who also think that their government might attempt to take control of Canada. The poll, which was conducted online and surveyed 1,540 Canadians and 1,011 Americans, provides insight into the concerns and opinions of people on both sides of the border.
Canadian Perceptions of U.S. Intervention
The poll reveals that many Canadians are wary of U.S. intentions, with 31% of respondents believing that the United States will attempt to take control of Canada in the future. This concern is not limited to Canada, as 55% of Canadians think the U.S. will likely intervene in Greenland, 51% believe the U.S. will intervene in Cuba, and 47% think the U.S. will intervene in Colombia and Panama. Furthermore, 36% of Canadians predict that the U.S. will intervene in Iran. These findings suggest that Canadians are concerned about the potential for U.S. expansionism and the impact it could have on global stability.
American Perceptions of U.S. Intervention
The poll also surveyed American respondents, who expressed similar concerns about their government’s actions. Twenty percent of Americans believe that the U.S. government might attempt to take control of Canada, while 37% reported that the military operation in Venezuela worsened their impression of the U.S. government. Just under 40% of American respondents said the U.S. intervention was a bad thing because it violated Venezuela’s sovereignty, while 35% said it was a good thing. These findings suggest that there is a significant divide in opinion among Americans regarding their government’s actions in Venezuela.
Canadian Opinion on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela
The poll found that over half of Canadians (53%) believe that the U.S. intervention in Venezuela was a bad thing because it violated the country’s sovereignty and sets a bad precedent. Another 23% of Canadian respondents said the U.S. operation was a good thing because it removed a corrupt dictator and provided an opportunity for a better government. The majority of Canadians (56%) also reported that the U.S. military operation in Venezuela has worsened their impression of the U.S. government. These findings suggest that Canadians are concerned about the implications of U.S. intervention in Venezuela and the potential consequences for global stability.
Demographic Breakdown
The poll also provided insight into the demographic breakdown of respondents. Seventy-seven percent of Canadians aged 55 and older are following the developments in Venezuela closely, compared to 55% of people aged 35 to 54 and 60% of people aged 18 to 34. Andrew Enns, Leger’s executive vice-president for Central Canada, noted that the older generation is the most "caught up" in the situation, which could have implications for the Canadian government’s response to the crisis.
Conclusion
The poll suggests that the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela has significant implications for Canada-U.S. relations and global stability. The findings highlight the concerns and opinions of Canadians and Americans regarding U.S. expansionism and the potential consequences of intervention. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that these concerns will remain at the forefront of public discourse. The Canadian government will need to navigate these complex issues carefully, taking into account the opinions and concerns of Canadians, while also maintaining a strong relationship with the United States.
