A woman casts her ballot at a polling station as others wait nearby. The image appears in the report Democracy and Political Polarization in Canada and the U.S. by Environics Institute, dated December 2021.

Democracy and Political Polarization in Canada and the U.S.

This presentation compares the results in Canada and the United Sates. It shows that American politics remains highly polarized in several senses; for instance, there are significant gaps in trust in the political system between those who identify as liberals and those who identify as conservatives.

Several people stand in line indoors, casting ballots into clear boxes—an orderly scene that proves, despite angry protestors, Canadians still trust in our democracy. The focused atmosphere reflects faith in the election process.

Support for Democracy in Canada

This report explores the current state of public trust in democratic institutions and actors in Canada, and how this may have changed over time. The data are drawn from the 2021 AmericasBarometer survey in Canada.

An American flag waves atop a flagpole on a historic brick building, its colors undimmed even as Canada’s opinion of the US sits at an unprecedented low, with ornate window frames and tall city buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Political Polarization in Canada and the U.S.

This report explores the issue of political polarization in Canada and the United States through an analysis of public opinion data about democracy collected over the past decade.

The Parliament building in Ottawa, Canada, with its clock tower and Canadian flag on top, is seen through trees with autumn leaves under an overcast sky—a scene often featured in Environics Institute Work exploring Canadian identity.

Public Support for Canada’s Political System

Previous research has shown that satisfaction with political institutions and trust in political actors in Canada has gradually been rising over the past decade. This report pushes this analysis deeper, by focusing not only on the national trend, but on sub-national ones as well.

Several people stand in line indoors, casting ballots into clear boxes—an orderly scene that proves, despite angry protestors, Canadians still trust in our democracy. The focused atmosphere reflects faith in the election process.

Confidence in Democracy and the Political System

This report examines current levels of public support for democracy, democratic institutions and the political system in Canada and how these have evolved over the past decade.

The interior of a grand parliamentary chamber with rows of green seats, ornate wood paneling, high arched ceilings, chandeliers, and a Canadian flag near the central speaker’s chair—an impressive setting for shaping perceptions of gender and political leadership.

Perceptions of Gender and Political Leadership

New survey data collected by the Environics Institute suggest that one obstacle to recruiting more female candidates for public office is the difference in the degree to which men and women see themselves as qualified to run for election, and the extent of the encouragement that they receive to do so.

A blue and tan world map background with text reading “AmericasBarometer 2017: The public speaks on democracy and governance in the Americas. Canada 2017. FINAL REPORT June 2017,” with various research institute logos at the bottom.

AmericasBarometer 2017

The AmericasBarometer is a 29 country public opinion survey on democracy, governance and civic engagement, conducted every two to three years by a consortium of of research partners across the western hemisphere.

A stylized map of the Americas on a blue background is centered below the title AmericasBarometer 2014. Logos of three partner organizations are displayed at the bottom of the image.

AmericasBarometer 2014

The AmericasBarometer is a multi-country public opinion survey on democracy, governance and civic engagement, conducted every two years by a consortium of of research partners across the western hemisphere. The 2014 survey included 26 countries, encompassing 99% of the population of the Americas.

A stylized map of the Americas is centered on a light background. Above it reads AmericasBarometer 2012, with a subtitle about public opinion on democracy. Logos of three institutes are displayed at the bottom.

AmericasBarometer 2012

The public speaks on democracy and governance in Canada and across the Americas.

Environics Institute for Survey Research

701-33 Bloor Street East
Toronto, ON M4W 3H1

info@environicsinstitute.org

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