Americans feel love for Canada (highest ranked country), Gallup survey finds

[pampango]

Nearly all Americans, a full 96 per cent, have a favourable view of Canada, according to a new Gallup survey. That's the loftiest ranking for any foreign country since Gallup began the poll two decades ago.



Canada has been a subject of conversation on Capitol Hill this week as well. New York state lawmakers urged Janet Napolitano, the homeland security secretary, to consider Buffalo's Peace Bridge as a pilot pre-inspection centre in the recently announced Beyond The Border initiatives.

With so much attention stateside, how could anyone have expected to compete against us in the Gallup survey? Australia, however, also ranks high, right behind us in second place at 93 per cent. Great Britain is in third at 90 per cent.

Iran, meantime, ranks last at 10 per cent. North Korea is in second last at 13 per and Afghanistan rounds out the bottom three at 14 per cent. China's ratings are also continuing a downward spiral evident in the last few surveys. The rank of Cuba, a country that has fared poorly in the Gallup survey in the past, is rising. It's at 37 per cent, up seven per cent from 2011's rating. Only 10 per cent gave Cuba the thumb's up in 1996, its worst year.



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/02/16/canada-america-love.html

Not exactly a surprising poll result, Canada is rightfully popular in the US, but nice to see.

Egypt (+7), Cuba (+7) and Mexico (+6) were the biggest gainers in favorability ratings from 2011 to 2012, while the biggest losers were China (-6) and Pakistan (-3).

Overall it looks like Americans' view of other countries improved significantly over the past year with just a few exceptions.

[mmonk]

1. I've noticed it's tailing up.

More wishing they could move there perhaps?

[DrDan]

2. as well we should

[Bad_Ronald]

3. I wonder what occurred in 2006 that resulted in the paltry 86% rating?

[Art_from_Ark]

6. There was growing domestic opposition to Canada's involvement in Afghanistan

"Mission loses support in Canada"

"By 2006, more Canadians opposed their government's military mission in Afghanistan than supported it. As the opposition continued, it grew less likely the government would extend the mission beyond 2011, even though there was no sign of an end to the conflict."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2009/02/10/f-afghanistan.html

This probably doesn't explain everything, but I think it explains a lot.

[taterguy]

4. Canada has resources we can exploit without invading

That's like asking six year olds if they have a favorable opinion of ice cream.

[pampango]

7. I suspect Canadians would like us to pay for whatever we get from them.

In general my guess is they are pretty happy to take our money, just like GM is happy to take my money when they "exploit" me when I buy one of their cars.

My experience with 6-year-olds and ice cream is that they have little understanding of the whole "you have to pay for the ice cream" concept. To children ice cream is freely given by kind vendors.

I doubt that most Americans like Canada because it sells oil, timber, etc. to us any more than they like Australia, the UK and others almost as much as Canada for that reason.

[taterguy]

8. Price hasn't been the issue since 1973

When the Arabs simply stopped selling oil it sent shockwaves through our psyche.

We're rich but sometimes that's not enough.

So we crave partners that don't make us resort to our dark side.

[CanSocDem]

9. I don't want "ice cream" Mister...I'm calling mommy! (eom)

[Justice wanted]

5. I find it interesting that of those countries have universal health insurance.

[PhoenixAbove]

10. Move there?

The heck with that! I'm hoping Canada might consider taking the New England states and making them part of Canada.

I could handle that. I could come here and tell you I was a proud Canadian.

[Redstate Bluegirl]

11. Really?

[Blue_Tires]

12. I'm grateful for one of their many exports: