Research Co. asked Canadians and Americans in August 2022 about the perceived polarization of politics. The two countries were emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and going through different stages. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was about to complete the first year of a second minority mandate in Canada, and voters in the United States were preparing for mid-term elections.

Late last month, we revisited the questions in each country. Canadians were about to enter a federal campaign, and Americans were dealing with the early ramifications of Donald Trump’s second term at the White House.

Over the past three years, Canadians have become more upset with specific aspects of political life, and while the numbers on some questions have dropped among Americans, they are still ahead when it comes to true polarization.

More than half of Canadians (51 per cent, up 12 points) believe their freedom is under attack by elected politicians, and a slightly lower proportion (46 per cent, up five points) deem the federal government to be oppressive and controlling. Fewer feel that their vote in federal elections does not make a difference (44 per cent, up seven points) and that they cannot express their political views sometimes because they fear reprisals (38 per cent, up six points).

Americans are not........

© BIV