Young Canadians less hopeful about future of democracy: Statistics Canada
Prairie provinces, including Alberta, had the highest percentage of respondents who felt no hope at all about democracy while British Columbia led with those who felt very hopeful.
A recent study conducted by Statistics Canada has revealed that young Canadians are less hopeful about the future of democracy in the country compared to older residents. The research, which surveyed about 70,000 people from 2022 to 2024, found that 25% of respondents aged 25 to 44 were "not at all hopeful" regarding democracy's functioning in Canada. In contrast, those aged 65 and older were more optimistic, with 18% expressing "very hopeful" views.
The vast majority of those aged 15 and older reported a moderate level of hopefulness, ranging from "a little hopeful" to "somewhat hopeful." The study utilized data from a survey series that assessed various aspects of democracy, such as respondents' confidence in institutions and information sources, voting behavior, and political participation.
The findings come amidst three major votes set to take place in Canada in October, including provincial elections in Quebec and British Columbia, as well as a referendum in Alberta on separation. The Prairie provinces, which include Alberta, had the highest percentage of respondents expressing no hope at all about democracy, at 25%.
Interestingly, the study did not find a direct correlation between faith in democracy and voter turnout. However, it did reveal that those who felt no hope were more likely to engage in political activities. Furthermore, non-immigrants reported a less hopeful view of democracy compared to immigrants and non-permanent residents.
Interestingly, the study also found that individuals with better mental health were more likely to feel very hopeful about democracy than those with poor mental health. Respondents who felt no hope at all about democracy showed lower trust in scientific experts and civic institutions, such as Canadian news media and the justice system. Instead, they relied more on local businesses and police services.
On the positive side, respondents who expressed a higher level of faith in democracy reported greater trust in civic institutions, including Parliament and the school system. Overall, the more trust respondents had in democracy, the higher their trust in civic institutions.
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