麻豆影视

Canadians are supportive of providing more military support to Ukraine, but are concerned that sending soldiers to Iraq could lead the country into a prolonged conflict, according to the results of a new Nanos Research poll conducted for 麻豆影视.

The poll, released Wednesday, covered a wide range of topics related to Canada鈥檚 foreign policy decisions.

It found that while three out of four respondents agree or somewhat agree that homegrown jihadists are a threat to our security, Canadians have concerns over a potentially prolonged mission in Iraq.

Canada has committed special-ops forces to participate in a U.S.-led coalition to fight the extremist militant group ISIS, which has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria.

Ottawa has contributed 69 special forces commandos to serve in a non-combat, advisory mission in Iraq. The Canadian soldiers will train Iraqi forces fighting the extremist group.

While Stephen Harper previously said the length of the mission would be up for review after 30 days, the Prime Minister revealed Wednesday that the U.S. government has already requested further Canadian involvement in the fight against Islamic extremists in the Middle East. He declined to announce Canada鈥檚 next move, saying 鈥渁dditional debate鈥� by the government was needed.

Three out of four Canadians agree or somewhat agree that homegrown jihadists pose a 'significant threat'

The poll asked respondents whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement:  "Homegrown Canadian jihadists in Canada are a significant threat to our security."

The poll found the following:

• 49 per cent of respondents agreed and 26 per cent somewhat agreed (for a total of 75 per cent);
• Seven per cent disagreed and 12 per cent somewhat disagreed;
• Five per cent said they were unsure.

But despite nearly half of respondents agreeing that homegrown jihadists pose a threat, there were concerns that Canada's involvement in Iraq may result in an extended mission.

When respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: "I am concerned that sending Canadian soldiers to Iraq to help Iraq fight ISIS could lead Canada into a prolonged conflict," the poll found the following:

• 40 per cent of respondents agreed and 37 per cent somewhat agreed;
• 10 per cent disagreed and 11 per cent somewhat disagreed;
• Three per cent said they were unsure.

Support high for revoking citizenships of Canadians fighting for ISIS

The respondents were asked whether they agree or disagree with the following statement: "Canada should rescind the citizenship of Canadians who are fighting for ISIS."

The poll found the following:

• 64 per cent of respondents agreed and 13 per cent somewhat agreed;
• 11 per cent disagreed and seven per cent somewhat disagreed;
• Five per cent said they were unsure.

Last week, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said that Ottawa had started revoking the travel documents of those who fight with extremist groups overseas. The government says more than 130 Canadians are believed to be fighting with extremist groups abroad, including several dozen thought to be in Syria or Iraq.

Offering more military support to stop Russian incursion into Ukraine

The poll also asked whether respondents agree or disagree with the following statement: "Canada should offer more military resources to NATO to prevent further Russian incursion into Ukraine."

The poll found:

• 27 per cent of respondents agreed and 35 per cent somewhat agreed;
• 14 per cent disagreed and 16 per cent somewhat disagreed;
• Seven per cent said they were unsure.

Canada has already made several contributions to NATO amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Those contributions include military aircraft and soldiers to participate in NATO 鈥渞eassurance measures鈥� in the Baltic region.

Canada's defence spending represents approximately one per cent of GDP. NATO expects its members to spend closer to two per cent.

Canada鈥檚 claim to the Arctic

The poll asked whether respondents agreed or disagreed with the following statement: "The discovery of the Franklin Expedition shipwreck helps to assert Canada's claim to the Arctic region."

In early September, a Canadian research team confirmed that they had found one of the two lost ships from Sir John Franklin's doomed Arctic expedition, solving one of the biggest mysteries in Canadian history.

When news of the discovery broke, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called it a "historic moment" for the country, given that Franklin's expedition "laid the foundations of Canada's Arctic sovereignty."

According to the poll:

• 26 per cent of respondents agreed and 36 per cent somewhat agreed;
• 13 per cent disagreed and 11 per cent somewhat disagreed;
• Fifteen per cent said they were unsure.

The poll was conducted through a random survey of 1,000 Canadians between Sept. 13 鈥� 16, 2014. Respondents were polled through both online and phone surveys, and both landlines and cellphone lines were included. The phone survey involved live callers.

The poll is accurate within plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.