Will sending aid to Cuba anger the US? Half of Canadians say ‘what do we say?’: survey – National
An Angus Reid Institute poll found that half (51 per cent) of Canadians surveyed said Canada should provide aid to Cuba “despite the continuing strain on US-Canada relations.”
Three in 10 (31 percent) believe that Canada should avoid actions that could draw the ire of US President Donald Trump, as “maintaining good relations with the Trump administration should be of utmost importance.”
Trump said he is considering a “friendly takeover” of Cuba on February 27, 2026, after the US blocked the island’s main oil supplier.
“The Cuban government is talking to us, and they’re in big trouble,” Trump said as he left the White House for Texas. “They have no money. They have nothing right now, but they are talking to us, and maybe we will take Cuba as a friend.”
Cuba is in the midst of a fuel shortage and humanitarian crisis, the latest in years of economic hardship. Trump has effectively cut off oil exports to the island by embargoing Venezuela and threatening tariffs on any country that steps in to fill the void.
‘Canadians’ awareness of the crisis in Cuba is below average compared to many recent news events’
Cuban Ambassador to Canada Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz said on February 24 that the United States is “oppressing all people.”
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“The collective punishment of the entire nation is an unjust crime. One may disagree with the country’s political project, but there is no right that allows a great power – based on its economic and military power – to interfere in internal affairs, violating its independence,” said Diaz.
“What is most acceptable is that superpowers try to achieve their goals by suffocating the entire population.”
In response, Canada sent $8 million to Cuba in food aid.
One-third (34 per cent) of Canadians surveyed believe that is enough support from Canada; and one-third (32 percent) who “want[ing] their country to do more to help.”
There were also one in five (19 percent) who believed Canada “should have done less or should not have sent that aid at all.”
The study also found that “Canadians’ awareness of the crisis in Cuba is below average compared to many recent news events.”
Half of Canadians (51 per cent) say they follow the Cuba story closely (14 per cent) or “closely” (38 per cent). One-third (36 percent) say they check the headlines.
Global Affairs Canada has warned travelers for more than a year of “shortages of basic necessities, including food, medicine and fuel,” across Cuba.
The island lost its main source of fuel in January when the US seized control of Venezuela’s oil reserves, with Washington threatening to impose tariffs on countries that export Cuban fuel.
Canadians and Americans continue to disagree
Tensions between Canada and the US have continued to escalate with threats of Trump taking over Canada and imposing tariffs in 2025.
A September 2025 Ipsos poll found that six in 10 Canadians (60 per cent) say the country will “never trust Americans the same way again.”
71 percent also believe that Canada’s trade and economic disputes with the US “will continue for several years and will not be resolved soon.”
A February 2026 poll by Politico also found that 58 percent of Canadians polled said they “no longer view the US as a reliable partner,” with 42 percent saying the United States is not a reliable partner.
Forty-three percent also said they see the US as “the greatest threat” to global stability.
-With files from Sean Boynton
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
