Canadians are experiencing a deepening crisis of trust, with growing economic grievances, skepticism toward leadership and heightened fears of misinformation on the rise, according to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Canada Report.

The report was unveiled at a launch event at the Globe and Mail Centre in Toronto on Tuesday (March 4). Speakers at the launch included Edelman Canada CEO Bianca Freedman (pictured) and Edelman Global president and COO Matthew Harrington.

The Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual global survey that measures trust in business, government, media and NGOs. Now in its 25th year, the 2025 study surveyed 1,150 Canadians between Oct. 25 and Nov. 16, as part of a 28-country global survey with more than 33,000 respondents.

This year’s report highlights a widening trust gap in Canadian society, with institutions facing mounting pressure to rebuild confidence and credibility.

The report found that business is the most trusted institution in Canada with a trust score of 55, which outperformed NGOs (53), media (52) and government (50).

Additionally, financial struggles and grievance are on the rise, with 73 per cent of Canadians believing the wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes and 61 per cent saying that selfishness among the wealthy is a root cause of many societal issues.

Job security and economic fears are also intensifying. More than half of Canadian workers worry about offshoring (50%), international trade conflicts (53%) and automation (52%) threatening their employment.

“Canadians expect businesses to provide well-paying jobs, invest in reskilling employees, and uphold civility in the workplace,” Freedman said in a press release. “Trust is not a passive asset – it is earned through both ethical leadership and demonstrable competence at every level, from individuals to executives to organizations. It is not merely about perception but about sustained action.”

Distrust in leadership is at an all-time high – 67 per cent of Canadians believe government leaders mislead the public, while 62 per cent say business leaders do the same. Canadians exhibit a strong trust in scientists (78%), which is more than double the trust placed in CEOs (37%).

Just 36% of Canadians believe the next generation will be better off than today, with pessimism especially high among older age groups. To effect change, 40 per cent of Canadians approve of at least one form of hostile activism, including online attacks, intentional dissemination of misinformation, threats or acts of violence and damage to property. This sentiment is most prevalent among respondents between the ages of 18-34, where 67 per cent approve of at least one form of hostile activism.