Canadians support actions against Russia over Ukraine, but have economic concerns: poll

The Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found Canadians acknowledge the sanctions are necessary, even if they could hurt their wallets.

A majority of Canadians are supportive of the federal government’s actions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine but are worried about the economic costs to their own lives, a new poll suggests.

The Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found strong support for Canada’s sanctions on Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, and sections of the Russian economy including the oil sector. Eight in 10 Canadians surveyed said they would support even more sanctions.

And although less than half of Canadians who answered the poll said they are prepared to pay more for gas because of those sanctions, 73 per cent said doing nothing will encourage Russia to take further military action elsewhere.

“At the end of the day, even though many Canadians aren’t happy that they’re going to bear some of the costs of these sanctions, there is an acknowledgment in the polling that it’s still the right thing to do,” said Sean Simpson, senior vice president of Ipsos Public Affairs.

Ipsos surveyed over 1,000 Canadians online earlier this week for the poll.

The results found high support for Canada continuing the approach it has taken so far against Russia: further sanctions (81 per cent in favour); providing weapons and ammunition to the Ukrainian military (72 per cent); and sending Canadian Forces troops to neighbouring European countries to deter Russia (69 per cent).

Two-thirds said Canada should provide funding to the Ukrainian military, a move that has yet to be taken but has not been ruled out by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Conversely, only 39 per cent said Canada should get involved in the military conflict directly — which Trudeau has said will not happen — while 61 per cent are opposed to engaging with Russia that way.