Only 53% of Ontarians trust the health-care system to operate competently and effectively, according to the 2025 Proof Strategies CanTrust Index.
The survey also found only 44% of Ontarian believe most people can be trusted at all.
The poll found across Canada, Ontarians have the lowest levels of trust in the Canadian education system at 47% and the RCMP at 53%.
The study found 35% of Ontarians are expressing trust in AI to enhance consumer experiences, 35% of Ontarians trust AI’s potential to positively contribute to the economy and 38% of Ontarians are less likely to trust information sources supported by AI.
Now in its 10th year, this Canadian-led study found fully two-thirds of Canadians trust that the government plays an important role in providing services that help make Canada a better country for our citizens.
Additionally, 65% of Canadians are more likely to trust the federal government when it stands up to countries that threaten our prosperity.
“The performance of parties and politicians is an anchor that’s dragging down the Canadian trust story,” said Bruce MacLellan, chair of Proof Strategies Inc., in a statement.
“Six in 10 people say that political parties are divisive forces, the worst assessment ever in our tracking. Similarly, politicians are trusted by only 17% of Canadians, mirroring the lowest score ever set in 2024.”
Only 40% trust political parties to prevent foreign interference in their own operations.
Canadians suggested the federal government could become more trustworthy through more healthcare funding (70%), more benefits and higher wages for workers (63%) and more housing (61%).
At the same time, however, only 39% say the feds’ trust would be improved by giving grants and subsidies to large corporations to attract investment.
This survey of 1,515 Canadians was conducted by The Logit Group, an independent research company from Jan. 9-18, 2025.