CanTrust Index Shows Rising Public Trust in Canadian Institutions

Public trust in Canada's key institutions is rising as the country manages unprecedented tensions and hostility from the United States and the White House. According to the annual CanTrust Index published by Proof Strategies, trust in governments rose to 40%, while trust in news media reached 45%, its highest level since 2016.

Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, emerged as the most trusted federal party leader with a 45% approval rating. Bruce MacLellan, chair of Proof Strategies, characterized the trend as a "Team Canada" moment, suggesting that external threats to Canadian sovereignty and economic independence are driving citizens to rely more on domestic institutions.

In contrast, trust in large corporations and artificial intelligence has declined. Only 29% of the 1,501 Canadians surveyed in January 2026 trust AI to positively impact the economy. The survey was conducted by The Logit Group Inc., with guidance from the Canadian Research Insights Council.