For a majority of Canadians, national pride appears anchored in genuine resolve to bear substantial personal costs defending our country against any and all who might come after us.
Environics surveyed 2,000 Canadians in April 2025 and repeated the online survey with 1,800 Canadians in May 2026. Respondents were sampled and weighted to reflect Canada’s regional, linguistic, demographic and socio-economic diversity.
Respondents were asked:
“What actions would you take, if any, to fight to defend Canada against a military attack and invasion or occupation by a hostile foreign power?”
The proportion willing to take at least some action declined from 71% in 2025 to 62% in 2026. Willingness to join a civil defence force fell from 26% to 19%, while willingness to volunteer for military service dropped from 13% to 9%.
If Canada were defeated and occupied, however, the proportion who said they would resist in some way rose from approximately 53% to 55%. Close to 40% would participate in non-violent resistance, while around 15% would consider violent resistance.
Respondents were asked:
“Would you be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Canada and die defending this country against a foreign military attack or occupation?”
The proportion answering “no” fell from 47% in 2025 to 34% in 2026. Meanwhile, those willing to die for Canada – either unconditionally or depending on the circumstances – increased from 38% to 46%.
In 2026, willingness was highest among Gen Z (more than 51%), followed by Gen X (47%) and Millennials (38%). Regionally, 51% of Albertans and 39% of Quebec residents expressed willingness under some circumstances.
The findings suggest that, despite some softening in Canadians’ willingness to take immediate action, national pride remains connected to significant personal resolve. Read the full Globe and Mail article, “How stiff is Canada’s spine?” to learn more about the research and what it reveals about Canadians’ willingness to defend their country.
Read the full report to explore the findings and learn more about Canadians’ willingness to defend their country.
For further information about the survey and methodology, contact David Jamieson.
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