What it measures
Dimension: Leadership
This indicator reports the proportion of Canadian citizens who feel confident in our political leadership. In 2003, about half of all Canadians reported a considerable level of confidence in Federal Parliament, but this number dropped by over 10% from 2003 to 2013. This means that as of 2014, more than half of the citizens of this country did not have confidence in their elected political leaders.
Why this matters
Confidence in leadership is an important aspect of democracy. Citizens who believe that their elected representatives are competent and reflect the interests of their constituents are more likely to feel that their participation in democratic activities matters. A high levels of confidence in Federal Parliament indicates that politicians are effectively monitoring and advancing citizens’ needs and interests.