From November 1 to 3, 2024, we surveyed Canadians on their opinions towards the Canadian Forces.
Some of the key highlights of our survey about the Canadian Armed Forces…
- Fewer than four in ten Canadians (38%) are confident that Canada has the military capability to support its allies in a serious military conflict if such a situation arises today, while 47% lack confidence in the military’s ability to take on such a task. However, more broadly as an institution, 64% of Canadians expressed confidence in the armed force (very/somewhat confident). This was ahead of other institutions such as the Federal Government, CSIS or Supreme Court.
- There is not a high level of confidence that federal government will increase spending to a NATO required 2% of GDP. One in five Canadians (20%) believe the government will reach its target spending within the planned eight years, while 45% think it will not. Over a third of Canadians (35%) are unsure. Conservative voters (55%) are more likely to believe the government will miss this target, but even 30% of current Liberal supporters feel the target will be missed.
- Mental health concerns (24%), lack of competitive pay (19%), past incidents of sexual abuse in the military (17%), and a perceived lack of national pride in the Canadian Forces (17%) are the main reasons Canadians cite for the Canadian Armed Forces recruitment challenges. Perhaps contributing to recruitment challenges is the fact just over 2 in 10 Canadians (23%) would be prepared to recommend a career in the armed forces to a family member or friend.
- Respondents to the survey were presented two options regarding major military equipment purchasing initiatives: Purchase from global sources at best price or purchase Candian manufactured equipment that promoted Canadian jobs. Respondents were divided on the best approach: 45% felt purchasing Candian made equipment was the best approach for the armed forces while 35% said purchasing globally was better. 19% were unsure.
Methodology
This web survey was conducted from November 1 to November 3, 2024, with 1,549 Canadians aged 18 or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey.
For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±2.49%, (19 times out of 20) for the Canadian sample.
