Canadians have lost confidence in U.S., poll finds
By: The Ottawa Citizen/Jack Aubry on: 04.11.2004 [18:54 ] (346 reads)
Four out of five Canadians agree that it is wrong for any country to push its values on other countries.
OTTAWA The last four years of the Bush presidency have hugely undermined Canadians' confidence in U.S. leadership, with almost eight of 10 in the country believing that America's foreign policy is indicative of the behaviour of a rogue nation, a new poll shows.
It also found that 85 per cent of Canadians disagree that this country should do what it takes to regain its former international stature. And the poll demonstrates Canadians' differing world view from Americans by placing diseases such as AIDS and SARS ahead of terrorism as a threat to Canada's vital interests.
"These differences complicate life between neighbours. When two countries view their external threats so differently, it can be hard to find common ground," said the report reviewing highlights of the poll.
In fact, Canadians placed terrorism third, behind global warming as a threat, while 26 per cent more Americans rate terrorism as a critical threat.
Distrust of their American neighbours has grown to such an extent north of the 49th parallel, according to the national survey, that almost a majority of Canadians 48 per cent believe the U.S. cannot be trusted to treat Canadians fairly.
The poll, released to CanWest News Service, reveals that Canadians' dislike for the American administration is so strong that almost one-third now believe that the U.S. is a force for evil in the world.
That is a majority view among those under the age of 35, indicating that the last four years of President George W. Bush have created a new generation of Canadians who far more resemble Caroline Parrish than Conservative leader Stephen Harper.
Leaping on Bush's election victory, Harper attacked the Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin for recent anti-American statements made by Liberal MPs which were most notable from Parrish and his cabinet's preference for Democratic presidential contender John Kerry in the days leading up to Tuesday's U.S. election.
"Obviously, elements of the Liberal party are anti-Bush and anti-American, but the prime minister has got to rein that in and has to use every opportunity to distance himself from that kind of rhetoric," said Harper.
Martin responded during question period that Canadians are not anti-American but rather pro-Canadian and pointed out that Harper had used American media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal to criticize his own country.
The poll was conducted for the Dominion Institute and the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute Oct. 21-28 and has a margin of error of 4.38 per cent, 19 times out of 20. The Innovative Research Group Inc., a Toronto-based research firm, was commissioned to survey 500 randomly selected Canadians.
Four out of five Canadians agree that it is wrong for any country to push its values on other countries.
On the other hand, 55 per cent of those polled support promoting the way we treat our aboriginal peoples as an example for the rest of the world.
Canadians are split on the role of military power, with 48 per cent agreeing that power still comes from "the barrel of a gun" and an equal number disagreeing.
While Canadians' opinion of Americans is hardening, they remain passionate about their role in the larger world, with three out of four saying their country should play an active role in world affairs.
But Rudyard Griffiths, director of the Dominion Institute, says the poll also found "an equally dangerous lassitude about Canada's privileged international position and responsibilities."
A surprising 40 per cent of respondents said Canada should become more like Switzerland and focus on being a great place to live rather than working on international issues.
Four out of five Canadians balked at the idea of cutting back on new health-care and education programs to spend more on the military and diplomacy. And 60 per cent indicated they strongly disagree with any trade-off of domestic priorities for investing and expanding the country's ability to act in world affairs.
44 comments
EXCELLENT!! CANADA IS A GREAT PEACE LOVING COUNTRY
by NATHAN Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:14 ]
despite of US next to its south, this is encouraging news that the peoples of Canada are very humble, understandable and intelligent. Canadian also shows the world that "They are a free nation". Now compare with other dogs like Brits, Italian (Romans), and slave nations like Poland, Pakistan, Saudi Aarabai, Kuwait all blady junk beggers supporting their master terrorist.
sometimes we snap.
by garion Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:26 ]
Like I did yesterday...i'm over 35 and still disagree with the USA!!
wazza
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:29 ]
in all my travels and meeting people from different countries, i would say canadians are by far the most repsected people on earth arabs, americans and indians are at the bottom of the list thats what i have seen, tell me if i am wrong
I love Canada
by CanadianPeaceWarrior Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:43 ]
Me a Chinese/Vietnamese immigrant who have resided in Canada for 25 years. One word. Awesome! Eh!
speaking of Bush, I'm freaked...
by Seatco Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:51 ]
Someone from Bush's team must cruise here. A few days ago I mentioned how Bush had spent his war capital all up and how he'd have to get more to continue his attacks. Then today I read this in the news:
"WASHINGTON (AP) - A minority president no more, President Bush sketched a second-term agenda Thursday that includes fighting the worldwide war on terror while seeking tax and Social Security reform.
I earned capital in the campaign - political capital - and now I intend to spend it," he said at a news conference 24 hours after securing his second term."
And we can know what Bush's direction will be because according to inside sources Collin Powel intends to quite Bush's team by the end of the year.
I'm Italian but...
by Guest Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:52 ]
I'm italian but i'm against U$A and i'm awating the time when us PM will be hanged in a place!!!
Soon Canada will have millions of new citizens
by Mr Europe Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:52 ]
USA is changing in to a religious "Taleban land". The irony is that Americans used to laugh to Talebans and their religious "commands". Lunatic Christian leaders are not better than lunatic Muslim leaders.
ROTFLMAO! Like we give a rat's behind!
by GunnyHartman Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:58 ]
And we lost confidence in Canuckistan since their limp wristed Pierre Trudeau was in power. You provide virtually nothing to the world except good beer and the Canadarm in the shuttle and oil (retrieved using American designed equipment). You have virtually no military and rely TOTALLY on the protection of America. You are run by clones of the cheese eating surrender monkeys in France. I realize there are a few provinces in western Canuckistan that do not agree with you and have not been corrupted by the socialist bile from Montreal. Soon your entire country will be our 51st state. Of course the French speaking scum will be deported back to euroweenieland.
I HAVE TRAVELLED OVER 65 COUNTRIES
by OBL Guest on 04.11.2004 [19:59 ]
And I will give Canada number ONE.
- no country would allow seperatist openly run for election and becomes the opositon leader in parliment as I have seen in Canda.
- despite of extreme freedom, the crime rate is one of the lowest in the world. No police nonsense, no guns, no fight.
- one of the country where peoples does not follow American bible like NBC, CNN, CBS garbage.
- CBC = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation provide balance news, and when i watched program "fifth estate" I was imazed of Canadian's intelligence and honesty. They presented three series uncut films what actual happens when Baghdad was falling. If anyone watch this series, then we must realized that the Markaf-e-Islam reporting is 100% correct. Bottom line, American did not simply walk in to Baghdad. They have left hundreds of their comrade invaders behind inside the graveyard. CANADIANS YOU ARE A GREAT NATION AND KEEP IT THAT WAY.
CBC IS BANNED IN US
by unfortunate american Guest on 04.11.2004 [20:03 ]
Unfortunately we are not allowed to watch truth from free press. No cable allowed CBC to broadcast in USA.
bush photo file named *** hole
by picard Guest on 04.11.2004 [20:27 ]
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41291
be afraid, Usans, be very afraid
by eurohippie Guest on 04.11.2004 [20:40 ]
Nov. 4, 2004:
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Bush, who has held fewer solo press conferences than any recent president, frequently cut off reporters trying to ask follow-up questions, quipping he could do so "now that I've got the will of the people at my back."
link
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rewind to Dec. 18, 2000:
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GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH (R-TX), PRESIDENT-ELECT: I told all four that there were going to be some times where we don't agree with each other. But that's OK. If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator.
link
Hey gunnyfagman
by garion Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:01 ]
We give you more than oil..maybe we should turn off the lights for you guys again on the east coast..your power is ours boy! Maybe the water line to California should be turned off too. softwood tarrifs your cry baby nation has tried to impose on the so-called free trade. The cattle ban, the polluted waters you send to us, thanks! Acid rain is lovely in the fall. Oh....I'm from the west you ******. And I have many friends from Winnipeg to Victoria, so happens they don't dig swine. Maybe the aussies would consider being the 51st..doubt that too!! If we were to need an army, it would be to fight your imperial nation!!
GunnyHartman - you forgot something
by Seatco Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:11 ]
With out Canada all our northern states would have ocean beaches. Also you forgot o mention that with out it we'd have to build a bridge to Alaska. Oh, and we might have to start logging out own national parks instead of theirs.
Tell me one country on this earth
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:14 ]
whose people still respect the US. JUST ONE .. Gunny?
To see the difference between Americans and Canadians
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:34 ]
Just read the posts by Gunny and his kinds and the canadians on this site. That sums it all
Who cares what that backwards country thinks?
by MOAB DETH Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:38 ]
They wouldn't be able to even have an opinion if the USA did not protect them. They would be slaves of some invading country like germany or japan.. You are all stupid. Thankfully, it doesn't matter. The USAns have voted the righteous Bush back for 4 more years of doing good. Run in fear chickenhawks! The time for evildoer slaying is just beginning! BWAHAHA! I've got lots of guns. Bring the fight back to the USA please! I want to kill some terrorists too! ********, get back to work pumping oil! I need to put some gas in my motorcycle so that I can go on a vacation in my free country!! BWAHAHAHWA skinsacs!
I grew up, one mile from the US/Canada border
by Yacob the peasant Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:41 ]
Canada is a nation, ...Green with envy, and mad as hell, and they have been ever since there was a Canada. American's have never done a god dammed thing to Canadians, and all we get from that ...stupid stinking country... is a bucket full of crap! And a knife in the back. **** every god dammed one of them.
B-52 strike on Canada !!!
by Yacob the peasant Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:43 ]
Bomb those stupid *******s flat !
To Guest at 21.34
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:48 ]
Don't know about you but seeing how incredibly stupid and nasty they are gives me more hope than anything else I read these days. These are the mini-Bushs! An empire run by vicious morons and supported by vicious morons can't last .....
****in....
by Yacob the peasant Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:49 ]
Canadians . If you Canooks hate USA soo much, why does 20 % of your stupid population move to USA ? God dammed go home ! And take your stupid opinions with you.
Everytime I see a car,,,
by Yacob the peasant Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:51 ]
,,, with a Canadian licence plate, ..I spit on the windshield.
Canadians are relentlessly indoctrinated by their liberal media
by Canadiana Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:52 ]
That is why most Canadians are morons - except for most of Western Canada. Canada's state-run Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is aired in every nook and cranny of Canada in French, English, and 6 native Indian languages. The state-run CBC is VERY liberal. It is extremely rare to even see or hear a conservative view on the CBC. Even their investigative journalism shows do nothing but look for dirt on the Bush administration. Canadians elected and reelected a barely literate moron like Jean Chretien who embarrassed Canada every time he opened his mouth and talked his drooling gibberish.
The Canadian media spent about 20 seconds investigating the ties between Saddam Hussein and Jean Chretien (France's TotalFinaElf oil company). Yet they think nothing of spending weeks investigating whether Bush missed his medical in 1972 when he was in the Texas Air National Guard (TANG).
The CTV news is nearly as bad. The only one who is semi-fair is Global TV News - which is surprising, since it is owned by the long time Liberal Asper family.
The Fox News Channel is banned in Canada under threat of a $10,000 fine or 6 months in jail. Conservative views in the media are extremely rare in Canada. We only hear liberal views, day after day, it is drummed into our head. That's why there are so many morons in Canada.
Canada's civil liberties are being crushed by the ruling Liberal Party. A couple of weeks ago, a guy was fined $1000 for calling a gay guy a "fifi". The thing is, he didn't call the gay guy a fifi; he told it to a bystander who went and told the gay guy. That's Canada's idea of free speech.
Yacob
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [21:55 ]
if you send all non Usans home, all that will remain are a handful of educated Usans and millions of morons like yourself. Who will think for you?
Nothing wrong with Canadians
.
by NY YANK Guest on 04.11.2004 [22:02 ]
They visit here, shop here, work here, I see more Ontario license plates on cars on a summers day than I care to count. I know a few and they act nothing like the ones on this site. Of course I dont know any Americans that act like the ones on this site either, at least not in my presence. They have their ways, we have ours, no problem.
ROTFL !!
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [22:04 ]
"Canadians elected and reelected a barely literate moron like Jean Chretien who embarrassed Canada every time he opened his mouth and talked his drooling gibberish." That's funny coming from a USan whose own president can't manage a coherent thought or sentence!
Canada was little more than the...
by Seatco Guest on 04.11.2004 [22:07 ]
...Hudson's Bay Company. Still, when I see them in their native habitat (Canada) the English denizens of that land remind me almost exactly the way the US daily life and manners were back in the 50s and 60s. It makes me nostalgic for the good old days in my childhood, before the US became a total pile of ***-wipe.
I don't know the stats...
by stopwar Guest on 04.11.2004 [22:26 ]
But it seems that a lot of Brits are moving to Canada. Bit cold for my liking, but otherwise can understand why.
In my travels, americans were as loved as israelis
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [22:43 ]
but there was some respect for americans at least because of their dollars. Now that their dollars are like toilet paper, they should receive no respect at all.
Euroweenie understanding of democracy
by eurohippie Guest on 04.11.2004 [22:48 ]
Bush (
) frequently cut off reporters trying to ask follow-up questions, quipping he could do so "now that I've got the will of the people at my back."
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in my Eurowinner, sorry, Euroweenie understanding, a democratic president would do just the opposite if he has got the will of the people, it's his OBLIGATION to answer questions, such as the ones that are put to him in a press conference. Any comments on this thought, namely by the New Bush Worlders? Just please be educated in your answers.
O Canada!
by Warehouse Eyes Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:05 ]
Canada's a fine place. You'll pay a little more for some things, but if you get a heart attack and need a bypass operation, it's free. Americans come here in droves for much cheaper medications. And if you win any kind of lottery-it's tax free. You pay no tax until you start earning interest on your winnings.
Amaizing, you have bible thumpers and simple farmers
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:06 ]
who control politics in the USA. Industry, business and higher education in the blue states being trumped by illiterate god fearing ******** in the red states. Imagine one of those Deliverance (the film) hillbillies (who died by the arrow) advising the President about world affairs? Wait a minute! That's what's happening! Time for the blue states to separate from the red states (wasn't it the red states who separated from the blue states 140 years ago?). Let the red states run their own godly affairs without being parasitic on the blue states' productivity. Let the red states fight their own crusades and be revenged accordingly. Call themselves Confederates and restore the Yankee's good name. Why do New Yorkers have to suffer for the agendas brought about by sanctimonious Texans?
I feel proud as a Canadian
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:10 ]
every time Canada sends a blizzard towards the USA in winter.
New map of North America (funny!)
by stopwar on 04.11.2004 [23:20 ]
Link to image:
the republicans will be blaming Canada
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:34 ]
for influencing the adjoining States into liberalism. The only bright spot for the republicans is conservative Alberta, suffering like Texas from the oil fumes.
@Jewcob
by Seele Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:37 ]
I hope more nations will become like canada, switzerland, france etc.
Rejecting any US attemp on getting them into iraq.
The US *******s have to retreat from iraq cause it was all lies.
Like Eminem says in he new track Mosh regarding to president bush -> look in his eyes its all lies ! No WMDs no war, thats it. But the stupid US did not get it. So now what they get is fire from RPGs, IEDs and VIEBs and additional MG fire from the iraqi people. And from the rest of the world the US can also expect to be disrespected and hatred more than ever before. What will finally result in a boycott of US goods and people in europe changing their savings from Dollars to EURO, switzerland francs or the chinese YUAN. Forcing the United Apes of America to collapse also economically !
haha
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:41 ]
no USAn access to the Pacific on that map...neat!
I forgot Alaska
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:46 ]
there'd still be USAn access to the Pacific via Alaska...but still they'd have to go through Canada...and plus many Alaskans want to break off...haha
re:haha
by Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:46 ]
Alaska is in the Pacific.
Hilarious Map!!!
by BigBird Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:53 ]
I can't stop laughing!!!
westeners
by westcoast Guest on 04.11.2004 [23:57 ]
To US ******** trying to be touchy/feely to Canadian westerners: BUGGER OFF! The last thing we need in another myopic over lording us.
CBC banned in the USA - how to tune in
by BigBird Guest on 05.11.2004 [00:00 ]
http://www.cbc.ca/frequency/ for the frequencies, including shortwave for those who don't live close to the border. You can also listen to them online. They have great interviews with entertaining Americans. It's not Anti-American by the way. Lately they discussed Americans wanting to move to Canada. It's getting more complicated but if you have an education or some good skills, or maybe half-a-million, you should be able to get in pretty quickly (less than a year). You can always come and hang out but I'm talking about establishing residency, with all it's advantages. If you have a job offer, you might be able to get instant residency by taking advantage of NAFTA (while it lasts). Also, they spoke of Americans trying to renounce their citizenship. Apparently Uncle Sam got them by the balls. They'll have to declare income taxes to the US forever, even if they move out.
Re: who respects the US??
by BigBird Guest on 05.11.2004 [00:02 ]
Why Israhell of course! Who needs Canada? Israel is much better as an ally against the war on terror. HAHA! Keep 'em coming Yacob the Israeli peasant! I love your comments!
No Patriot laws in Canada
by BigBird Guest on 05.11.2004 [00:09 ]
It is illegal for US companies with operations in Canada to send private information on Canadian citizens back to the USA as per a recent ruling. Who has more freedom? Is there any frredom left in the US?