OTTAWA – Most people feel Canada’s recently-completed 12-year Afghanistan mission had no impact on world peace and security – or just aren’t sure.
An Angus Reid Global poll found 42 per cent of Canadians said the mission “had no impact either way,” while another 15 per cent aren’t sure.
Another 35 per cent felt the Afghan mission had a positive impact on world peace and security, compared to 8 per cent who said it was negative.
Support for the mission was highest in the Prairies and lowest in Quebec. The positive impact question was 48 per cent in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and 42 per cent in Alberta, but only 28 per cent in Quebec.
The negative sentiments were also highest in Quebec and Ontario, at 11 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively.
Quebecers, at 47 per cent, and British Columbians, at 42 per cent, were more likely to believe the mission had no impact on world peace and security, while nearly half of those aged 55 and older also felt this way.
Only 37 per cent of Atlantic Canadians saw the mission as having no impact.
The mission, which officially ended on Wednesday, cost the lives of 158 soldiers, one diplomat, one journalist and two civilian contractors.
The online poll surveyed 1507 randomly-selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists on March 13, 2014. The margin of error is + or – 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
Comments