As the federal government ramps up defence spending to meet NATO commitments, a new survey reveals a stark generational divide when it comes to willingness to fight for Canada — with younger Canadians far less inclined to enlist in the event of armed conflict.According to new data released by the Angus Reid Institute, 49% of Canadians say they would fight for their country if war broke out, but the majority of that group says their decision would depend on whether they agreed with the reasons for fighting. Among those aged 54 and older, 55% say they would enlist. But among the younger demographic aged 18 to 34 — the group most likely to be called upon in a real-world conflict — just 43% say they could envision themselves volunteering for combat..The data lands at a challenging time for Canada’s Armed Forces, which are trying to overcome a recruitment shortfall while rebuilding public trust following several years of controversy. Pride in the military has fallen sharply, with just 52% of Canadians now saying they feel proud of the Armed Forces — down from 79% in 2019.Public confidence took a hit in the wake of a 2021 sexual misconduct scandal that saw allegations brought against 13 senior military officers.At the time, three-quarters of Canadians believed there was a widespread “culture of disrespect toward women in the military.” That sentiment may be reflected in the gender gap found in the new data: only 36% of women say they would volunteer to fight for Canada, compared to 63% of men..While national pride has risen somewhat amid recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump threatening NATO unity, it remains well below levels seen in the 1980s — a period when more Canadians also expressed a willingness to take up arms.The data suggest that instilling patriotism could be critical in reversing recruitment trends. Among those who say they are “very proud” or “proud” to be Canadian, 53% say they would volunteer to fight, compared to much lower rates among those with weaker national pride.
