As tensions escalate in the Middle East, a recent Leger poll indicates that a significant majority of Canadians favor a neutral stance from the Canadian government regarding the conflict involving Iran. Conducted online between March 13 and March 16, 2026, the survey involved 1,608 Canadians and explored public opinion on Canada’s potential involvement in the ongoing war.
The results revealed that 67% of Canadians believe Ottawa should adopt a neutral position, refraining from supporting either side in the conflict. In contrast, approximately 25% of respondents expressed support for the Canadian government to back the United States and Israel in their military actions against Iran. Additionally, 13% of the participants advocated for supporting Iran, while another 13% suggested Canada should strive to aid both factions in the conflict.
Andrew Enns, Leger's executive vice-president for Central Canada, noted that some Canadians might perceive the conflict as yet another impulsive decision by U.S. President Donald Trump. “There are many questions around the rule of international law,” Enns stated, suggesting that this sentiment is echoed in the poll results, as many Canadians prefer a neutral approach. He observed, however, that a segment of the population views Iran unfavorably and is inclined to support action against it.
Demographic analysis indicated that men were more likely than women to support Canadian involvement alongside the U.S. and Israel, with 33% of men advocating this compared to just 18% of women. Political affiliation also influenced perspectives; 77% of Liberal and Bloc Québécois voters favored neutrality, while only 53% of Conservative voters held the same view. On the other hand, Conservative voters were more inclined to back U.S. and Israeli actions, represented by 45% of them, compared to just 18% of Liberal supporters.
Enns remarked that this survey results put the Canadian government in a challenging position, as there appear to be conflicting expectations from the electorate regarding the country’s response to the Iranian situation. He pointed out that government officials, including the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, have been cautious in their language, indicating the complexity of their stance amid rising public concern.
When polled about their opposition or support for the U.S.-Israeli military operations in Iran, 58% of Canadians opposed the war, whereas 25% showed support. The survey also included 1,006 Americans, where 44% opposed the campaign and 38% supported it. Notably, more than three-quarters of Republican voters in the U.S. endorsed the airstrikes, contrasting sharply with the 15% support from Democrat voters.
The potential implications of the Iran conflict for Canada also sparked concern among respondents, with 70% worrying about an increased risk of terrorism within the country. Sixty-nine percent expressed anxiety over Canadian military personnel being drawn into the conflict, while 91% were concerned about rising costs of gasoline and groceries. Furthermore, 82% feared that a looming global economic recession could lead to job losses in Canada.
Enns pointed out that Canadians still grapple with the lingering effects of a high inflationary period, with rising gasoline prices contributing to worries about future food costs. In terms of military involvement, almost 60% of respondents supported sending troops to defend a NATO ally if attacked by Iran. Additionally, 54% were in favor of deploying troops to protect critical oil refineries and shipping routes. Nearly 40% expressed support for troop deployment to assist in regime change efforts in Iran.
Support differed across age groups; Canadians aged 55 and older were more likely to support backing a NATO member, at 69%, compared to 57% of those aged 35 to 54 and 45% aged 18 to 34. The survey also touched upon energy policies, with nearly 75% of Canadians agreeing that the government should expedite the expansion of oil and natural gas production to address a global shortfall stemming from the conflict.
The Canadian Research Insights Council notes that the lack of a margin of error for online surveys is due to their non-random sampling methodology. Overall, this poll sheds light on how Canadians perceive the evolving geopolitical landscape and the potential ramifications for Canada amidst international tensions.
