More Canadians Against Than in Favour of Sending Additional Aid to Ukraine: Federal Research

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Anita Anand announce new sanctions against Moscow and the donation of four more Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine on the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Toronto on Feb. 24, 2023. (Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images)

A greater number of Canadians are against rather than in favour of sending additional financial aid to Ukraine out of concerns that it will add to Canada’s deficit, according to internal research by the federal Department of Finance.

The department’s findings were based on 10 online focus groups and questionnaires surveying over 2,000 people across the country last fall. Respondents gave their opinions on questions pertaining to federal spending measures, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.

Survey participants were asked to respond to the following statement: “The federal government should provide more financial aid to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia, even if it adds to the deficit.”

Only 32 percent of respondents agreed while 36 percent disagreed, 26 percent said they were neutral on the subject, and 7 percent said they were unsure.

The Finance Department’s report, titled “Research On The State Of The Economy,” is dated Nov. 25, 2022, and was released on April 10.

The research was conducted several months before the Liberal government released its 2023 budget, in which it announced an additional $2.4 billion in loans to the Ukrainian government.

The Finance Department’s research also found that a large percentage of survey participants believe the government misunderstands Canada’s current economic state.

When asked if they believe if the government “understands the issues Canadians are facing,” 36 disagreed and 35 percent agreed, while 23 percent were neutral and 5 percent were unsure.

“Research objectives are to explore Canadians’ overall concerns and perceptions,” said the report.

Ukraine Funding

At the time of releasing Budget 2023 in late March, the government had provided Ukraine with more than $5.4 billion in total aid. That includes over $1 billion in military aid and equipment donations and nearly $500 million of funding for other support measures.

On Feb. 24—exactly one year after Russia invaded Ukraine—the government increased both its financial and military aid to Ukraine by announcing an additional $32 million for demining and “accountability” efforts and four more Leopard 2 tanks.

The tanks were in addition to another four that Defence Minister Anita Anand said in January that Canada would be sending to Ukraine.

Canada has also sent nearly 40 armoured combat support vehicles to Ukraine and purchased a “National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System” for the country, which alone cost around $406 million.

On April 11, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to meet with Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, in Ottawa.

Trudeau previously said Canada will continue sending Ukraine military and financial aid for “as long as it takes” to defeat Russia.

“Canada will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that Russia does not benefit from having illegally invaded Ukraine,” he said on Feb. 23, adding that a Russian victory “could be devastating and long-reaching for the entire planet.”

“That’s why Canada and our allies will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as long as it takes.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.