News Release: Majority of Canadians Support Seizing the Canadian-Held Assets of of Russia and Iran to Assist Victims, Poll Shows
Ottawa, October 18, 2023
A strong majority of Canadians support Canada seizing the Canadian-held assets of Russia and Iran and using these assets to help victims, according to a new public opinion poll.
The poll shows that 81 percent of Canadians support (59%) or somewhat support (22%) Canada seizing the state assets of the Russian government that are held in Canada and using those assets to help the victims of the war against Ukraine.
Similarly, 78 percent of Canadians support (52%) or somewhat support (26%) Canada seizing the state assets of the Iranian government that are held in Canada and using those assets to help the victims in Iran whose human rights are violated.
The poll was commissioned jointly by independent senators Donna Dasko and Ratna Omidvar and is based on a national sample of 1,058 adult Canadians surveyed by Nanos Research from October 1st to 4th, 2023. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Recently, Senator Omidvar tabled Bill S-278, An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets) in the Senate. The bill would amend SEMA to allow for a legal pathway to seize and repurpose the state assets, including central bank reserves, of perpetrators that breach international peace and security and redirect them to the victims that have had their lives shattered.
“The norms against aggression, war crimes, and genocide are currently being tested to a degree the world has rarely seen. States need to know that such behavior will result in prompt and harsh repercussions. If we do not demonstrate resolve, if we fail to act in legal ways to punish these terrible regimes, then we likely leave the door open for other rogue nations with territorial ambitions to act with impunity”, said Senator Omidvar.
“As the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its twentieth month, Canadians remain unwavering in their support for measures to sanction the perpetrators and assist the victims of this war”, said Senator Dasko. “There should be no hesitation on the part of the government to take strong action and to set an example for the world.”
The poll shows that support for seizing and using the Canadian assets of these foreign states is high in all regions of the country, among both men and women, and across all age groups. Only 12 percent of Canadians oppose or somewhat oppose the seizure of the Russian state assets and 13 percent oppose or somewhat oppose the seizure of the Iranian assets.
The poll methodology with the question wording is attached.
For a link to the speech delivered by Senator Ratna Omidvar on Bill S-278, click here
For a link to the speech delivered by Senator Donna Dasko on Bill S-278, click here
For media inquiries, or other information, please contact:
Cathy MacDonald, Office of the Hon. Donna Dasko
Cathy.MacDonald@sen.parl.gc.ca or Donna.Dasko@sen.parl.gc.ca
Office: 613-943-3711
Paul Faucette/Stephanie Saunders, Office of the Hon. Ratna Omidvar
Paul.Faucette@sen.parl.gc.ca or Ratna.Omidvar@sen.parl.gc.ca
Office: 613-943-4330