Majority of Canadians Support Tough Policy Against Iran

Results from an Ipsos Institute poll show that the majority of Canadians, following the downing of a Ukrainian aircraft by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missiles, prefer harsher sanctions against Iran over diplomatic relations with the country.

A new survey by the Ipsos research institute shows that Canadians are more inclined to seek tougher sanctions against Tehran than to restore diplomatic relations with Iran, and expect their government to ultimately pursue the rights of Canadians.

57 of the 176 passengers aboard the Ukrainian aircraft that was targeted by Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missiles on December 8 and was shot down, killing all aboard, held Canadian citizenship.

According to Global News Canada, this strong support for Canada’s tightening sanctions against Iran has backing among voters and supporters of parties in the country, including the Liberal Party, New Democratic Party, and Bloc Québécois, as well as the Conservative Party.

Sébastien Dallaire, deputy director of the Ipsos Institute, commented on the survey results, saying that Canadians want to see how far the government will go in supporting its citizens and obtaining proper answers from Iran.

Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, previously stated that as long as Iranian authorities do not provide correct and transparent answers about the real reasons for the downing of the Ukrainian aircraft, not only Canada but the world will continue to pursue the matter.

Canada’s Foreign Minister also announced yesterday that she will pressure Iran to send the black boxes from the downed Ukrainian aircraft to France. François-Philippe Champagne said that he judges the Iranian side based on its conduct and actions, not its promises.

Pursuing Compensation and Resuming Relations with Tehran

The Ipsos Institute poll produced other findings as well; such as Canada’s firm stance and pursuit of compensation for the families of those killed, as well as a willingness to resume diplomatic relations with Tehran.

The Canadian government has repeatedly asked Iranian authorities to review the rights of this country’s deceased citizens and provide compensation to their families. Iranian officials, however, stated that they do not recognize dual nationals. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said that Canada has overstepped its bounds.

Six out of every ten respondents called for the resumption of formal diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran, citing, for example, the reopening of embassies.

Support for reopening embassies is divided among some Canadian parties, with the majority of supporters being Liberal Party voters (66 percent), New Democratic Party voters (69 percent), and Bloc Québécois voters (63 percent). Among these, only 47 percent of Conservative Party voters stated they would like to restore formal relations with Iran.

The Ipsos deputy did not find these results surprising and said that in the current situation, the top priority of Canadians is that action be taken. Establishing better relations with the Iranian government and normalizing relations in the current circumstances, and even if it is desired by the majority of Canadians, is placed in the second position.

Diplomatic relations between Iran and Canada were severed following the death of Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian photojournalist, in Evin Prison in 2013.

This Ipsos Institute poll was conducted on a “sample basis” with one thousand Canadians. Respondents answered questions online.

Source: DW