From May 16 to 18, we surveyed Canadians on their trust in government and their views on provincial sovereignty.
Highlights include…
PROVINCIAL SOVEREIGNTY AND ALBERTA INDEPENDENCE
- If a referendum on provincial sovereignty were held, 31% of Canadians would vote in favour and 52% against, with the strongest support for independence in Alberta (41%).
- Nearly two thirds of Canadians (62%) oppose Alberta becoming an independent country, including 50% who say they are strongly opposed. Opposition is highest in British Columbia (76%) and Ontario (69%) and among Liberal (83%) and NDP voters (80%). In Alberta, however, support is notably higher, with 47% in favour and only 48% opposed.
- However, a majority (55%) say they understand why Alberta might want independence, particularly respondents in Alberta (70%) and Conservative Party voters (77%)
SENSE OF ATTACHMENT AND TRUST IN GOVERNMENT
- Canadians report strong attachment to their country (82%) and province (80%), with slightly lower attachment to their municipality (71%).
- Trust is also evenly split across government levels: 51% trust the federal and municipal governments, and 47% trust their provincial government.
Methodology
The results for this wave of research are based on online research conducted from May 16 to May 18, 2025, with a representative sample of 1,537 Canadian adults 18 years of age and older from Leger’s LEO panel. The data was statistically weighted according to 2021 Canadian Census figures.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey, but for comparison purposes, a probability sample of 1,537 would have a margin of error of +/- 2.50%, 19 times out of 20.
