The Ipsos-Reid poll of 1,000 Canadians and 1,005 U.S. residents found 24 percent of Canadians felt Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would bring more peace to the world, compared with 52 percent of U.S. respondents.

Among the two Democratic presidential contenders, 56 percent of Canadians felt strongest with regard to peace toward Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, while his rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York was given the nod by 52 percent, the Canwest News Service reported from Washington.

Among U.S. respondents, 45 percent said Clinton was more qualified to make the world safer, while 44 percent opted for Obama.

John Wright, senior vice-president of the polling firm said the poll highlighted the cultural differences between the two countries.

"There's a sense there is a better level of support for a Democrat because Canadians would rather have a discussion about might, rather than a show of might," he said.

The poll had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, the report said.