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 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.
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.
Trudeau previously said Canada will continue sending Ukraine military and financial aid for “as long as it takes” to defeat Russia.
“That’s why Canada and our allies will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as long as it takes.”