Kelowna 
A recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute reveals that while 49% of Canadians say they would fight for their country in an armed conflict, most would only do so if they agreed with the reasons.
Credit: Angus Reid Institute
The study highlights a growing reluctance among younger Canadians and women to enlist, raising concerns amid efforts to boost Canada’s military spending.
Only 36% of women said they would volunteer in such a scenario, compared to 63% of men. Age is also a factor, with younger respondents expressing significantly lower willingness to serve.
Credit: Angus Reid Institute
The findings come as Canada increases defence spending to meet NATO commitments. However, public pride in the Armed Forces has declined. In 2019, 79% of Canadians said they were proud of the military. That number has dropped to 52% in 2024, a 27-point decrease.
The decline may be linked to high-profile events such as the 2021 sexual misconduct scandal, which involved allegations against 13 senior officers. At the time, three-quarters of Canadians believed there was a culture of disrespect toward women in the military.
Political affiliation also influences attitudes. Conservative Party voters are most likely to say they would enlist (59%), compared to 47% of Liberal, 36% of NDP, and 35% of Bloc Québécois supporters.
Support for children joining the military is mixed. Just over half of Canadians said they would support a daughter (52%) or son (49%) enlisting, though fewer expressed excitement—32% for daughters and 28% for sons.
The Angus Reid Institute conducted the online survey from June 20 to 23, 2025, sampling 1,619 Canadian adults. The results carry a margin of error of ±2.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
