A recent study conducted by the Environics Institute reveals that 70% of Canadians feel satisfied with the functioning of democracy in Canada. This level of satisfaction has remained relatively consistent over the past 15 years, showing a minor fluctuation between 2010 and 2023 before returning to 70% last year. Comparatively, satisfaction with democracy in Canada is higher than in the United States, where only 56% of Americans expressed satisfaction in 2025.
The Environics reports also highlight stable levels of trust in key pillars of Canadian democracy, such as elections, the prime minister, Parliament, and the Supreme Court, over the last decade. While there has been a slight increase in distrust towards mass media, overall trust levels have not significantly declined. Notably, Canadians generally exhibit pride in their political system, with 74% preferring democracy over other forms of government.
However, the study points out some concerning trends, particularly among Conservative voters. The satisfaction level among Conservative voters dropped from 89% in 2014 to 52% in 2025, and high trust in elections among this group fell from 43% to 25% during the same period. Additionally, the belief that votes are counted accurately and fairly decreased from 64% in 2021 to 54% in 2025, with a sharper decline among Conservative supporters.
While the study reflects normal fluctuations in public opinion, experts emphasize the importance of leadership in shaping trust in democratic institutions. They highlight the potential impact of American political discourse on Canadian perceptions and stress the role of leaders in either fostering trust or sowing doubt in the electoral process. The findings underscore the significance of leadership in maintaining the health of democracy and the need for vigilant monitoring of public sentiment and political actions.
