Electoral System and Possible Foreign Interference 

March 16, 2023

THIS SURVEY EXPLORES CANADIANS’ AND AMERICANS’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND POSSIBLE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE. 

The media storm surrounding the revelations of possible foreign interference during the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections is far from over. 

As a result, we decided to explore Canadians’ and Americans’ views on the safety of elections in their respective countries. We also surveyed Canadians on their desire to see an independent investigation into possible foreign interference in the last two elections. 

This Tracker also includes a section on the Coronation of King Charles III, Canadian and American politics and how these two populations feel about life in general.

Download the report for the full results.

This survey was conducted in collaboration with the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) and published in the Canadian Press. This series of surveys is available on Leger’s website. 

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ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND POSSIBLE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE

  • 71% of Canadians and 63% of Americans believe their respective electoral system is safe. 
  • 72% of Canadians are in favour of an independent public inquiry into foreign intervention in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. 
  • 69% of Canadians and 57% of Americans generally trust election results in their corresponding countries. 
  • 49% of Canadians feel the impact of the interference does not question the actual outcome of these elections. In comparison, 33% of Canadians feel the potential intervention is significant enough to question the legitimacy of the results.
Canadians and Americans opinion on the electoral system

CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

  • 47% of Canadians and 37% of Americans said they were aware that the Coronation of King Charles III is on May 6, 2023. While 27% of Canadians expressed interest in the event, 28% of Americans said they were interested.
  • When asked if they will watch the coverage of the Coronation, 17% of Canadians and 14% of American believe they will. 
  • 56% of Canadians and 71% of Quebecers feel this would be the time to question Canada’s relationship with the British monarchy. 

METHODOLOGY 

This web survey was conducted from March 10-12, 2023, with 1,544 Canadians and 1,007 Americans, 18 years of age or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel. 

A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison, a probability sample of 1,544 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.49%, 19 times out of 20, while a probability sample of 1,007 respondents would have a margin of error of ±3.09%, 19 times out of 20. 

THIS REPORT CONTAINS THE RESULTS FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND MORE! 

  • In your opinion, is Canada’s/the U.S.’s electoral system safe or not?  
  • Do you generally trust the results of elections in Canada/the United States?  
  • Have you heard, seen, or read anything about the possibility that foreign governments may have intervened in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections?  
  • Were you aware that the actual Coronation of King Charles III is on May 6 of this year?  
  • Will you watch television or video coverage of the Coronation? 

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