Canada is pressured to send aid to Cuba even though it may risk tension with the U.S.

1/3rd, besides 50% of past liberal voters, is likely to send more than USD 5.76 (CAD $8) million already committed.

The war in Iran and its ripple effects on the global economy seem to have consumed much of the media oxygen in recent weeks. It may have obscured the ongoing economic Cuban crisis due to a punishing oil blockade. The blockade seems to have starved Cuba of tourism, which is a vital economic lifeline.

New data shared by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute discloses that Canadians are more supportive than not of Canada sending humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Caribbean country. This is even if Canada risks tension with the United States. Half (51%) want Canada to provide aid despite the potential risk of further upsetting the U.S. – Canada relationship. 3-in-10 (31%) believe instead that sustaining positive relations with the Trump administration should be more important.

The focus on the U.S. & Israel war on Iran seems evident when comparing the attention given to the 2 Canadian international news stories. The Angus Reid Institute engagement index scores attention paid to the U.S. oil blockade of Cuba as 45. This is a lower-than-average level of engagement of 50. The war in Iran scores a 62.

So far, Canada has supplied USD 5.76 (CAD$8) million in humanitarian aid. This is mostly to fortify Cuba’s food security. 1/3rd (34%) is of the view that this is enough support from Canada. Another 1/3rd (32%) wants Canada to do more to assist. There are also 1-in-5 (19%) who opined that Canada should be doing less than that or should not have sent that aid at all.

Canadian awareness of the Cuban situation is relatively low

The history of the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba dates back over 6 decades to 1960. This history follows the Cuban Revolution and the country’s closer relationship with the then Soviet Union during the Cold War. Canada didn’t follow suit by severing ties with Cuba. Instead, Canada sustained relations with Cuba throughout and after the Cold War. Presently, Canada is the 2nd-largest foreign investor in Cuba after Spain.