As violence escalates in the Middle East, the majority of Canadians surveyed say they do not believe the government should be solely responsible for the costs associated with evacuating Canadians from the region.
In a survey of more than 1,000 Canadian adults conducted by Nanos Research and CTV News, more than a third (36.2%) of respondents said Canadians evacuating from Lebanon, Israel, or the wider region would not be able to afford the travel expenses. This indicates that they believe that they should bear the burden themselves. Slightly more respondents (37.4%) said the costs should be shared between evacuees and the federal government.
Of those surveyed between September 29th and October 2nd, only one in five (20.4%) said Canada should cover all evacuation costs, and 6% were confident. answered that he could not have it.
By demographics, Central Canadians, men, and people over 55 were more likely to say evacuees should be financially responsible.
Uncertainty was not common, with only 4% to 9% of people across all demographics saying they were unsure of their opinion.
“It’s already time to leave.”
Attacks between Israel and extremist groups have surged across the Middle East in recent months, as the year-long war in Gaza threatens to escalate into a broader regional conflict.
In September, a series of Israeli airstrikes hit Lebanon, in a marked escalation from previous exchanges of attacks in the border area between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.
FILE – Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly speaks about Canada’s position on the Israel-Gaza situation in the Lobby of the House of Commons in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Canadian Press/Adrian Wilde
Social media post by Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly on September 30th repeating a previous statement Canadians living in Lebanon “must leave the country now,” he said, citing the security situation in Lebanon as “increasingly dangerous and unstable.”
Days earlier, Jolie acknowledged that two Canadians were killed in an airstrike in Lebanon.
Jolly said in a Sept. 30 post that the federal government had reserved 800 seats for flights departing in the first few days of October, but that the federal government “continues to work with international partners to facilitate operations.” He also said.
For more information, please visit the federal government website. Travel advisory page for Lebanon.
“If you are offered a seat, please take a seat immediately,” Jolie’s post reads.
methodology
On behalf of CTV News, Nanos Research conducted an online and telephone RDD dual-frame survey with a random sample of 1,058 Canadian adults. The survey was conducted from September 29 to October 2, 2024, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points 19 out of 20 times. Results were checked statistically and weighted by age and gender according to available information. Census data representative of Canada.
With files from CTV News’ Stephanie Ha
