Support for Chrétien's war policy sags

Saturday's Globe and Mail | SHAWN McCARTHY

[albertabound]

Support for Chrétien's war policy sags

By SHAWN McCARTHY From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Ottawa — Support for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's handling of the Iraq war plunged in the past week, with opinion split virtually evenly outside Quebec, where antiwar sentiment is strongest, a new Globe and Mail/CTV poll suggests.

The poll, conducted by Ipsos-Reid, found Canadians deeply divided along regional and gender lines over the government's decision not to participate in the war in Iraq. Nearly half of the respondents said Canada should now join the military effort.

The poll found Mr. Chrétien had the support of 56 per cent of Canadians for his handling of the Iraqi crisis — a drop of 10 points in a week. Outside of Quebec, his majority was razor-thin, according to the survey conducted this week.

"Canadians are conflicted on this," Ipsos-Reid vice-president John Wright said. "They are proud that Canada has taken an independent stand but anxious and concerned about the impact of that action."

About 73 per cent of Quebeckers approved of Mr. Chrétien's handling of the Iraq war. Outside the province, he received 50 per cent approval and 47 per cent disapproval.

Over all, women were far more likely to support Mr. Chrétien's decision to stay out of the war — 66 per cent of women supported the move, versus 52 per cent of men.

U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci fuelled Canadian concerns over Mr. Chrétien's stand this week when he said Americans are "disappointed and upset" over Canada's decision and warned vaguely of repercussions.

Mr. Cellucci was more conciliatory yesterday as he spoke in Fort St. John, B.C., where he emphasized the importance of Canada-U.S. ties. He also lauded Canada's naval presence in the Persian Gulf, saying the Canadian military is still playing a huge role helping countries that are part of the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq.

The poll found Canadians are sensitive to his argument that Canada has turned its back on its closest friend at a time of need.

Approximately 47 per cent of respondents agreed Canada "turned our back" on the Americans, while 51 per cent disagreed. In Quebec, only 36 per cent agreed that the decision amounted to a failure to support the U.S. at its time of need, while 51 per cent of those in other provinces agreed.

While hundreds of thousands of Canadians have attended antiwar rallies across the country, pro-U.S. rallies are also starting to spring up.

Pro-coalition rallies were planned for today in Winnipeg, Ottawa and Red Deer, Alta., and in Calgary and Vancouver tomorrow. American flags are flying off the shelves in many western cities.

Still, two-thirds of poll respondents said Mr. Chrétien's stand has shown Canada is an independent player on the world stage.

The Ipsos-Reid poll surveyed 1,000 Canadians between March 25 and March 27 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Mr. Chrétien has cancelled an April 9 visit to Washington, where he was due to receive an award for his support for national parks. A spokesman in his office said yesterday the Prime Minister did not feel comfortable accepting an award as Americans are fighting in Iraq.

U.S. President George W. Bush's planned state visit to Ottawa may also be cancelled, though it still remains on the schedule.

Mr. Chrétien has defended his decision to keep Canada out of the war, saying he believed United Nations weapons inspectors were working to disarm Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

However, in recent days, he and his senior ministers have warned their caucus to restrain from criticizing the U.S. war effort and to rein in negative statements about Mr. Bush.

In the Ipsos-Reid poll, 59 per cent of respondents said they were glad Canada stayed out of the war, including 83 per cent of Quebeckers. Outside of Quebec, only 52 per cent of respondents said they were glad Canada opted out of war.

But approaching the war's two-week mark — with U.S. and British forces meeting unexpectedly stiff resistance — 45 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement that "it is now time for us to come aboard and offer our military support."

Again, the difference between Quebec and the rest of the country is stark. Only 34 per cent of Quebeckers agreed it is now time to join the coalition, while Canadians outside that province were evenly divided.

While Quebec is the most province most prone to pacifism, Alberta is by far the most hawkish.

Some 56 per cent of Albertans opposed Canada's initial decision to opt out of the war, and the same number said it is now time join the coalition.

Canadians are clearly worried about the economic fallout of Mr. Chrétien's decision, despite assurances from the government that there will be none. About 61 per cent of respondents agreed that the decision will have "serious, negative economic consequences." Even in Quebec, where antiwar sentiment dominates, half the respondents expect to pay a price for their stand.

[Cicero]

Paul Cellucci is a liberal Democrat from Massachusetts. But he's a smart liberal Democrat. He seems to have done exactly the right thing. He has reminded the Canadians of the situation without beating them over the head about it and raising further resentment.

Pity if this undermines the Canadian Liberal Party. Maybe with some luck the opposition might finally find a leader with some sense. As it currently stands, the Liberals could run a yellow dog (or maybe a huskey) for Premier and still win a majority of the votes.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Seems like Anglophone Canada is more likely to support the Coalition, whereas the Frogophone Canucks act like their ancestry (France)

Historically, this is really nothing new. In both World Wars the Frog Canucks did not want to fight, whereas the Anglophones always supported and were more likely to volunteer.

Probably the real reason Canada will never seperate is because the ones who want to seperate are French.....which means they are too wimpy to fight

[omniscient]

"Mr. Chrétien has cancelled an April 9 visit to Washington, where he was due to receive an award for his support for national parks. A spokesman in his office said yesterday the Prime Minister did not feel comfortable accepting an award as Americans are fighting in Iraq."

Translation: This snivelling little ingrate is afraid to show his face in the country he betrayed.

[JusPasenThru]

Who gives a damn what the Canadians think?

[albertabound]

Realty has set in and real Canadians(read non-froggies) support the disarmament of Saddam and want to join in militarily. The silver lining in this mess is that the 45% support, which is probably greater than many of the willing nations, is hard core conservative and if real and sustainable, will be sufficient a majority to oust the libs next election. Americans are right in their scorn of this Canadian government and ousting the liberals who have had over 10 years to entrench themselves will be as difficult as it was for American conservatives to oust Clinton.The hanging chad now seems like a distant memory
and hopefully the same will be true of the anti-American sentiments of our dispicable liberal government.

[Mister Baredog]

The poll found Canadians are sensitive to his argument that Canada has turned its back on its closest friend at a time of need.

We know how "sensitive" liberals can be. Canada used to be part of what they called the Commonwealth, which includes Australia and Great Britian. I guess they have opted out in favor of becoming part of the new French "stop America no matter what" coalition. That's really too bad. I feel sorry for those once proud Canadians who are being led by a very shortsighted moron. Perhaps they shouldn't have fought so hard to keep Quebec from declaring independence.

[SolutionsOnly]

"They are proud that Canada has taken an independent stand but anxious and concerned about the impact of that action."

I can understand the desire to feel sovereigh and independent, but to betray your own core values to do so is a loser! I think that this is what Canada has done. The asinine 'Hate George Bush' mentality has blinded an awful lot of the liberal world. Now they find themselves on the wrong side of what is right and on the wrong side of History.

Ooops! No wonder they are conflicted.

[omniscient]

I disagree with your rosy election outlook. Chretien's treachery will be forgotten and his Liberal successor, Paul Martin will win by a huge majority. We will then have increasingly corrupt Liberal governments for the forseeable future, as Canada is inexorably transformed into a North American Euro-weenie ally. Sad I know, but we have to be realistic.

Ultimately, one hopes, total economic collapse resulting from Liberal socialism will result in the assimilation of at least the Western provinces into the USA.

[TommyDale]

"...Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's handling of the Iraq war..."

I didn't know the Coalition had put him in charge of handling the war in Iraq. I guess you learn something every day.

[albertabound]

Please don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. English Canada, where the real Canadians live, supports America and GWB. We must mend our fences because America and GWB have much work yet to do. Bringing the shabby underbelly of the Canadian political scene to public scrutiny and onto the radar screens of the silent majority on both sides of the border is just a footnote to the many grievious wrongs yet to be righted. You do need Canada on board with the willing because Canada still has great world wide influence and connections in many areas where America does not and the big picture has yet to be fine tuned. Like it or not we are brothers and linked at the hip amd nothing can change that. Having one brother stab another in the back hurts both, and believe me many of us hurt very bad right now.

[Living Stone]

There will soon be a different tune coming from up north once they realize how many people are not going to Canada this summer.

U.S. citizens will be staying away in droves.

[albertabound]

I have been kicking dirt for longer than I care to remember and never has there been a Can-Am, rift of this nature. Canada has yet to experience the backlash of American discontent, as she most assuredly will. When the Ontario economy and it's voting bloc start to feel the pinch, Chretien and his louts will be remembered in spades.

[Malcolm]

I agree; what American cares about Canadian opinion at this point? As for the other poster who advocated absorbtion of the more conservative western provinces, I've got a more simple idea; let those who are conservative move down here. It's makes the US more conservative, and Canada, as long as the hated French are a part of it, will never really have a conservative government. So you Canadians who are TRULY conservative should make plans to relocate. Canada and Mexico are becoming more hostile by the day; it's best to forget far-fetched rosy senarios and focus on the more practical moves that can be made that at least have some hope of fruition. And if you are one of the ones who blindly thinks that Canada will one day elect a conservative federal gov't, don't hold your breath; you would turn 7 shades of purple before that happens. Better to trade 1 maple leaf for 50 stars.....

[albertabound]

Canadians have been immune from pain and suffering for a long, long time. A little reminder will be a huge wake up call. Albertans know what chicken today, feathers tomorrow is all about. Ontario and particulkarly Quebec need a little shock therapy.

[bravo whiskey]

we'll take british columbia and give you new england

[bravo whiskey]

we'll take british columbia and give you new england

[Living Stone]

I drove through Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon last year.

They would fit right in as numbers 51, 52 and 53.

I will be going back to Alaska this summer, but not through Canada.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

They are proud that Canada has taken an independent stand but anxious and concerned about the impact of that action."

They should be. You are either for us or against us. There is no longer a middle ground. Pick a side.

And you are using anti-American rhetoric to appeal to fringe voters, expect for there to be consequences. After watching 3,000 of our citizens die because of anti-Americanism we no longer find it amusing.

[dfrussell]

Yes, and I'm sure there are some French who believe they should have helped also. So what?

Your government has spoken for you in the matter, and we're *VERY* tired of snotty comments for the little shits who run your government. They speak for you because you elected them.

"Great world influence" ROTFLMAO :)

Not even the French really care why Canada thinks. You were an international entity because of your close ties to the US. You no longer have those.

Get used to the title of "Canukistan".