One fifth of Canadians say Afghanistan crisis will impact their vote in federal election: poll

A new poll suggests the crisis overseas will play a central role in Canada’s upcoming federal election

HALIFAXtoday\ Stephen Wentzell

As the United States races to reach its looming deadline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, a new poll suggests the crisis overseas will play a central role in Canada’s upcoming federal election.

The latest polling from the not-for-profit Angus Reid Institute suggests the majority of Canadians consider the mission in Afghanistan unsuccessful, though most are hesitant to call it a failure.

According to the data, one in five Canadians say the crisis will factor in to how they vote, while 59 per cent say the situation overseas will have no impact.

Moreover, four in five Canadians say they are watching closely to see how the evacuation efforts unfold.

Most respondents who believe the country’s evacuation operation plan to vote Liberal, while the majority of those supporting the Conservatives call the mission an outright failure.

After 20 years of involvement, half of Canadians would like to see Canada leave the region permanently. Just 20 per cent of Canadians believe the country has a role to play in Afghanistan going forward.

Remarkably, just two per cent of respondents consider the mission in Afghanistan a success.

Canada has already evacuated more than 4,000 military personnel and refugees from the turmoil.

Most Canadians who responded to the poll believe the country should accept at least 20,000 Afghan refugees.

A quarter of Canadians believe the number of refugees could be higher, while 31 per cent feel the goal of accepting 20,000 is too high.