The importance of political trust

Political trust represents the belief that the political system, its institutions, and the individuals within will fulfill their commitments, act in the public interest, and uphold democratic norms. This trust involves positive expectations that the political system will behave as it has promised, serve the public good, and maintain democratic integrity.

Political scientists categorize trust into "diffuse" trust in the overall system, and "specific" trust in individual actors. Surveys consistently rank politicians among the least trusted occupations. However, those with direct experience dealing with politicians tend to view them more favorably.

In Canada, trust in political institutions has been declining since the late 1960s, with recent national surveys showing that only a minority of Canadians have much confidence in political actors and institutions like parties and Parliament. Despite this, Canada's political system is still considered to have relatively high trust compared to other nations.

While the overall trust level in Canada has remained stable over the past 15 years, there is a concerning "trust deficit" that hinders governments' ability to garner public support for policies, particularly controversial ones. This deficit is evident in surveys showing that many Canadians believe politicians quickly lose touch with constituents, frequently break campaign promises, and use public funds to buy votes.

Notably, despite recognition of Canada's superior political system, over three-quarters of respondents still believe politicians have lost touch with the public. This highlights a disconnect between perceived trust and actual trust levels.

Legislatures have implemented various accountability measures to address declining trust, including offices like auditors general, integrity commissioners, ombudsmen, and election agencies. While these mechanisms have maintained public trust, they have not fully restored confidence in politicians to previous levels. When scandals or instances of incivility occur, trust is further eroded.

Building and maintaining trust requires not only robust accountability systems but also the moral character and integrity of individual political actors and the values and norms fostered within political parties and legislatures. Leaders must exemplify high ethical standards and set the tone for organizational behavior. Ultimately, trust in politics is a complex interplay of institutional mechanisms and the character of those who hold political power.