OTTAWA — A majority of Canadians support the federal government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, according to a new Nanos Research survey.
The decision was announced last month by Prime Minister Mark Carney at the United Nations General Assembly. The survey reveals strong backing for the move: 47% of respondents fully support the decision, while an additional 18% support it to some extent. Collectively, 65% of Canadians support the recognition. Conversely, approximately one-fifth of the population (20%) opposes the initiative.
However, the survey also highlights significant anxiety regarding the potential impact on Canada’s economic ties with the United States. Over half of the participants (57%) anticipate that Canada’s move will result in some form of negative effect on trade relations (25% expect a negative impact, and 32% expect a negative impact to some extent). Meanwhile, about one-fifth of respondents believe the decision will have no impact on trade.
The findings suggest that while there is broad public consensus on the diplomatic stance, Canadians remain cautious about the economic ramifications stemming from such a sensitive foreign policy decision.
