Four in five Canadians believe political corruption is common in Canada and don’t trust government to solve it
Four in five Canadians believe political corruption, backroom deals and bribery are common place in Canada and they don’t trust the feds to solve the problem.
According to an Angus Reid survey, most Canadians believe corruption in both the private sector and Canada’s governments is widespread. Nearly half believe corruption plays a “significant” role in the rising cost of living.
Governments of all levels have found themselves in hot water in recent years over ethics investigations.
The Trudeau government, since coming into office in 2015, has seen countless scandals ranging from the SNC-Lavalin, WE charity scandals and alleged questionable business dealings, including those involved with the recently removed Liberal Minister Randy Boissonnault.
The Angus Reid Institute, in partnership with Mindset Social Innovation Foundation and the World Refugee & Migration Council, surveyed 1,615 Canadian adults between Nov. 14 and 19, 2024, using a representative randomized sample. A statistically weighted survey reports no margin of error, and a probability sample of the same size would carry a margin of error of greater or less than 2% 19 times out of 20.
The survey found that 86% of Canadians believed that backroom political deals and bribery were common in their province, and 81% thought money laundering occurs regularly in Canada. Nearly half of the respondents, 49%, said political corruption was “extremely common” in their province, with 37% saying it was commonplace in parliament and the legislature.
Ontario reported the highest levels of perceived political corruption, 91%, with 58% saying it happens all the time. Quebecers and Atlantic Canadians were the least likely, though 82% still said it was happening all the time or commonplace.
