Key Takeaways:
- 70% of Canadians are satisfied with the way democracy works in Canada, according to Environics Institute polling.
- Satisfaction with democracy has remained relatively steady over the last 15 years, with some fluctuations.
- Levels of trust in Canadian democratic institutions, such as elections and the Supreme Court, have been relatively stable, but with some decline among Conservative voters.
- There are concerns about the polarization of trust in democratic institutions along partisan lines.
- Leadership plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of democracy, and leaders can choose to promote or exploit mistrust in democratic institutions.
Introduction to Canadian Democracy
According to polling by the Environics Institute, 70% of Canadians are either very or somewhat satisfied with "the way democracy works in Canada." This level of satisfaction has held relatively steady over the last 15 years, with some fluctuations. In comparison, satisfaction with democracy in the United States is lower, with 56% of Americans expressing satisfaction in 2025. The Environics surveys show that Canadians’ satisfaction with democracy has remained consistent, with 70% expressing satisfaction in 2010, rising to 79% in 2017, falling to 65% in 2023, and rebounding back to 70% in the latest survey.
Trust in Democratic Institutions
The Environics reports also found that overall levels of trust in many of the pillars of Canadian democracy, such as elections, the prime minister, Parliament, and the Supreme Court, have been relatively stable over the last 10 to 15 years. However, there has been a gradual increase in the share of Canadians with a low level of trust in mass media. The reports classify 41% of Canadians as having "a lot" of trust in elections, 47% expressing "some" trust, and 12% having low trust. These numbers have remained relatively consistent over the years, with 41% expressing a lot of trust in 2017, 50% expressing some trust, and 9% having low trust.
Pride in the Canadian Political System
The share of Canadians expressing a lot of pride or some pride in living under the Canadian political system has also held relatively steady over the last 15 years. In 2025, 40% expressed a lot of pride, 48% said some, and 11% expressed not a lot of pride. Additionally, 74% of Canadians agree that "democracy is preferable to any other form of government," and 76% either strongly or somewhat agree that "election results should be respected regardless of which candidate or party wins." These findings offer some reassurance about the state of Canadian democracy, suggesting that it is not in deep crisis.
Concerns About Polarization
However, there are also some potentially concerning findings. Satisfaction with democracy among Conservative voters has dropped markedly, from 89% in 2014 to 52% in 2025. The percentage of Conservative voters expressing high trust in elections has also fallen, from 43% in 2021 to 25% in 2025. Overall, support for the idea that votes are "always" counted "correctly and fairly" has slipped from 64% in 2021 to 54% in 2025, with a particularly pronounced drop among Conservative voters. These findings suggest that there may be cracks in the foundation of Canadian democracy, particularly along partisan lines.
The Role of Leadership
The foreign interference controversy that roiled Canadian politics for much of 2023 and 2024 could have undermined trust in elections, particularly among Conservative voters. However, contested election results in Canada have been few and far between, and federal parties have largely refrained from casting doubt on the electoral process. The Environics findings may reflect the influence of American political discourse, with doubts about elections promulgated by major American political figures drifting across the border. Nevertheless, the findings underline the importance of leadership in maintaining the health of democracy. Leaders can choose whether or not to promote mistrust or doubt in democratic institutions, and where mistrust exists, they can choose whether or not to encourage or exploit it.
Conclusion
In assessing the health of Canada’s democracy, it is essential to look at how Canadian voters think and what they are feeling. However, it is equally important to look at what their leaders are doing. The Environics reports provide valuable insights into the state of Canadian democracy, but they also highlight the need for leaders to promote trust and confidence in democratic institutions. By doing so, leaders can help maintain the health of democracy and ensure that it continues to serve the needs of all Canadians. Ultimately, the health of democracy depends on the actions of leaders, and it is crucial that they prioritize the promotion of democratic norms and values.