Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Mar, 2022 10:11 AM
  • NATO should ready for battle: survey respondents

OTTAWA - A new poll suggests nearly three-quarters of Canadians believe NATO allies should prepare for military intervention as Russian aggression escalates in Ukraine, even as half hold out hope for a diplomatic resolution.

The online survey of 1,515 Canadians and 1,002 Americans was conducted by Leger between Friday and Sunday.

The survey cannot be assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered truly random samples.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has signalled its solidarity with Ukraine in the form of supplies, weapons and sanctions since the early days of Russia's latest incursion into its territory, but has not deployed troops for combat.

"This is the first time where people say, 'Give diplomacy and sanctions a chance but brace for potentially this becoming military involvement,'" said Leger executive vice-president Christian Bourque.

Approximately 49 per cent of Canadians still believe a diplomatic end to the war is possible, but 64 per cent said the conflict between Ukraine and Russia will be protracted, and will last many years.

Sixty-five per cent of Canadians said governments should impose more severe sanctions against Russia, even if it means higher gas prices for western countries, even though 62 per cent agreed the sanctions mainly hurt the Russian people and not Russian President Vladimir Putin directly. Only 35 per cent believe economic sanctions will actually convince Putin to back down.

Canadians seem to understand the stakes are high, and they increasingly believe the conflict could escalate into a world war, the poll shows. About three-quarters report they believe the situation has the potential to lead to a third world war in this latest poll, compared to 66 per cent of Canadians polled at the end of February when the conflict first began.

Nearly half of those polled, about 47 per cent, say they believe Putin will use nuclear weapons if the conflict doesn't go his way.

"The fear factor is high," Bourque said.

Under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, an attack on a NATO country is considered an attack on all NATO countries, and they all must help to restore security.

According to the poll, about two-thirds of Canadians believe Ukraine should be allowed to join NATO — a move that could draw the allied countries into direct conflict with Russia.

Ukraine, currently considered a NATO partner, has repeatedly requested to join the treaty and even enshrined that goal into the country's constitution in 2019.

As for who will win the conflict, 41 per cent of respondents admit they don't know, and the remaining 59 per cent are split. Russia will win the war, according to 27 per cent of those who responded, while 33 per cent believe Ukraine will successfully drive the Russians off.

MORE National ARTICLES

Illicit drug deaths in B.C. climbed in January

Illicit drug deaths in B.C. climbed in January
The coroner's service says illicit drugs caused 19 deaths in Northern Health, equal to a death rate of 74.5 per 100,000 residents, by far the highest rate of any health authority.

Illicit drug deaths in B.C. climbed in January

Man Shot in Guildford residence

Man Shot in Guildford residence
On March 10th, 2022 at 11:30 PM., Surrey RCMP received a report of shots fired in the area of 14100 and 104th Avenue. Frontline officers attended the area and located a male suffering from an apparent gun-shot wound.    

Man Shot in Guildford residence

B.C. Mountie charged with obstructing justice

B.C. Mountie charged with obstructing justice
The B.C. prosecution service says the officer in Kelowna was an investigator in the case. It says Const. Sean Eckland is due to appear in Kelowna provincial court on April 4.

B.C. Mountie charged with obstructing justice

VPD makes arrest after woman stabbed with hypodermic needle

VPD makes arrest after woman stabbed with hypodermic needle
VPD quickly arrested the suspect, a 27-year-old woman who lives in the neighbourhood. Kayla Elizabeth Kelly has now been charged for assault with a weapon.

VPD makes arrest after woman stabbed with hypodermic needle

336 COVID19 cases for Thursday

336 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are 388 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 52 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, four new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,932.

336 COVID19 cases for Thursday

B.C. to ease COVID restrictions on masks, vax card

B.C. to ease COVID restrictions on masks, vax card
Starting on April 8, the B.C. vaccine card will no longer be required to access restaurants and other venues, while businesses can shift away from their COVID-19 safety plans.

B.C. to ease COVID restrictions on masks, vax card