About one-quarter of Canadians aged 25 to 44 said they were “not at all hopeful” about the future and how democracy works in Canada, according to a Statistics Canada study released Tuesday. Respondents aged 65 and older were more likely to say they were very hopeful, at about 18 per cent, than not at all hopeful, at about 10 per cent. Most people aged 15 and older felt a little or somewhat hopeful about democracy in the country.

The study drew on a survey series conducted from 2022 to 2024, with a targeted sample of about 70,000 people. The series covered views of democracy, confidence in institutions and information, voting behaviour and political participation. The question about hopefulness in democracy was asked in the fifth and final panel, which had a response rate of about 24 per cent.

Participants were asked how hopeful they felt about topics related to Canada’s future, including “the way democracy works in Canada.” They chose among four response categories, from not at all hopeful to very hopeful. The survey also asked about confidence in institutions and information sources, voting habits and other political activity.

The findings come ahead of three major votes scheduled in Canada in October: provincial elections in Quebec and British Columbia, and an Alberta referendum that includes a question on separation. Across the Prairie provinces, including Alberta, about 25 per cent of respondents reported no hope at all about democracy, the highest share among regions. British Columbia had the largest proportion who felt very hopeful, at about 15 per cent.

The study found no link between faith in democracy and voter turnout. However, people who had no hope were more likely to take part in other political activity. It also found non-immigrants expressed less hope about democracy than immigrants and non-permanent residents.

People who reported better mental health were more likely to feel very hopeful than those who said their mental health was poor. Respondents who were not hopeful at all reported lower trust in scientific experts and civic institutions, including Canadian news media and the justice system. They placed greater trust in local businesses and police services instead.

Across respondents, stronger faith in democracy was associated with greater reported trust in civic institutions, including Parliament and the school system. The survey findings cover attitudes, confidence and participation, alongside respondents’ views of how democracy functions in Canada.

Based on reporting by Global News Edmonton.