Canadians place the highest level of trust and confidence in healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, followed by a high degree of trust in school teachers and police services. Confidence and trust are significantly lower for provincial governments and federal politicians.

HALIFAX, February 9, 2021

Residents were asked to rate their level of confidence and trust in different types of professionals and organizations. Results show that Canadians have the most trust and confidence in healthcare professionals, with over eight in ten reporting so (85%). Seven in ten Canadians report having trust and confidence in school teachers (69%), followed by a similar portion citing the police service in their area (64%). Results indicate that trust and confidence is less prevalent in government officials, with one-half having trust and confidence in their provincial government (47%), and four in ten reporting the same for federal politicians (39%). 

Across the country, there is widespread trust and confidence in healthcare professionals. Trust and confidence are lowest in the Prairie Provinces for both of federal politicians (32%) and their provincial government (32%), compared to other regions. Ontario has the lowest trust and confidence in school teachers (61%) compared to other parts of the country.  

Demographically, Gen Z members are least trusting in any of the types of leaders. Trust and confidence increase with age for all types of leadership listed, with Boomers offering the highest levels. Women are generally more trusting and confident than males, most notably for healthcare professionals and school teachers.

Across race categories, Canadians who are a visible minority are less likely to report having trust and confidence in the police service in their area (59%), compared to Caucasian residents (67%). Alternatively, visible minority residents (48%) are more likely to have trust and confidence in federal politicians compared to Caucasian residents (35%).  

Results are from an online survey conducted January 15 – 19, 2021, with 1,233 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Fielding every month, the Logit Group’s COVID-19 Omnibus surveys Canadians to ask their opinions and behaviours related to topical issues. Results were analyzed by Narrative Research. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect population characteristics in each province. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.

Question included in this release include the following:

  • To what extent do you have trust and confidence in each of the following?
  • The police service in your area
  • Federal politicians
  • Healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses
  • School teachers

For more information, please contact:

Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research – 902.222.7066, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca

OR

Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca

OR

Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com

Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company was recently certified as a WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.  Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative

The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented. 

Follow us on Twitter at @LogitGroup

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