A significant majority of Canadians are prepared to see their military deployed to defend NATO allies in Eastern Europe, according to a new national survey. The Postmedia-Leger poll, released on December 5, 2025, found that two-thirds (66%) of Canadians would support sending troops to countries such as Poland if Russia were to invade.
A Stark Gender Divide on Military Support
The poll uncovered a pronounced split in opinion between men and women. While 76% of male respondents expressed support for the potential deployment, only 56% of women were in favour. Overall, just 16% of Canadians would oppose sending forces.
"You'd like to think that this is really kind of a super hypothetical pie-in-the-sky kind of question. But unfortunately, crazy things are happening all around the world," said Andrew Enns, Leger's executive vice-president for Central Canada, who commented on the findings.
Enns noted the historical tendency for women to lean toward peacekeeping over conflict. "The maternal instincts kick in, and I think that probably plays a big role," he suggested. Support was also slightly lower (58%) among Canadians aged 35 to 54, who are more likely to have children, compared to 61% support among those of traditional fighting age (18-34).
Confidence in the Forces and Recruitment Challenges
The survey also gauged public perception of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). A majority, 57% of respondents, hold a positive impression of the CAF, with this view being more prevalent among men (62%) than women (53%). Enns theorized that a history of sexual misconduct scandals and the perception of the military as a male-dominated institution may influence female perspectives.
When it comes to the government's ambitious plan to recruit 6,500 new regular force members and 75,000 reservists, just over half (51%) of Canadians are confident the targets will be met. This confidence is highest among Liberal voters (68%) and those with a positive view of the CAF (63%), but drops to 41% among Conservative voters.
"That one did surprise me," Enns admitted. "If you have a positive impression about the Forces, you are really confident they're going to meet these targets. So, there is a little bit of, maybe it's rose-coloured glasses."
Views on DEI and Part-Time Reservists
The poll touched on contemporary issues within the military structure. A notable 37% of those surveyed believe the CAF places too much emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, while 26% were unsure. This sentiment was strongest among Conservative voters (62%), men (45%), and those with a negative view of the military (58%).
On a practical policy idea, 55% of Canadians see value in encouraging civil servants to serve as part-time reservists. Support for this concept rises to 61% among men and 66% among those who already view the CAF positively.
The poll results paint a picture of a Canadian public that is broadly supportive of collective defence through NATO, yet deeply divided along gender and political lines when it comes to the specifics of military engagement and institutional priorities.
