Canadians’ feelings of pride and attachment towards the country have seen a stark decline over the past several years, according to a new poll.
The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from November 29 to December 5, 2024, among a randomized sample of 4,004 Canadian adults who are members of its forum.
According to the survey’s findings, the results reflect how the COVID-19 pandemic, economic impacts, and regional angst have contributed to the decline in pride and attachment Canadians have felt over the past several years.
In a 1991 survey, 65% of Canadians said they had a deep emotional attachment to Canada and loved what the country stood for; in 2016, 62% of respondents felt the same way.
However, in 2024, only 49% of Canadians shared those feelings.
Angus Reid Institute
The Angus Reid Institute notes the pride people have in Canada has also diminished over the years.
In 1985, over three-quarters (78%) of people surveyed by polling company Environics said they felt “very proud” to be Canadian; in 2016, that dropped to 52%.
Angus Reid Institute
In 2024, that feeling of pride has slumped even lower, as only 34% of respondents said they felt “very proud” to be Canadian.
Regional trends in declining Canadian pride
Regarding regional dissatisfaction with Canada, the survey showed that Quebecers were less likely to say they had a deep attachment to the country (30%) than Canadians overall (49%).
Quebec has been vocal about its sovereignty in the past, holding two referendums on the issue in 1980 and 1995.
Angus Reid Institute
Eight years ago, at least two-thirds of Canadian provinces other than Quebec said they had a “deep” connection to the country.
This sentiment dropped dramatically in all provinces between 2016 and 2024, with Alberta (67% to 47%) and Quebec (37% to 30%) showing the most significant declines.
A transactional relationship with Canada
Generationally, the poll found younger Canadians less attached to the country than their older counterparts.
Men and women over 54 were more likely to agree that they felt a deep attachment to Canada.
The Angus Ried Institute highlights that younger Canadians had a more “transactional” relationship with the country.
A significant number of men aged 18 to 34 (43%) said they felt attached to Canada as long as it provided a good standard of living, and 63% of women in the same age group said the same.
Angus Reid Institute
The survey results reveal a staggering decline in the proportion of people across all age groups who say they are no longer “very proud” or “proud” to be Canadian.
Angus Reid Institute
Newcomers also showed a transactional relationship with their sense of Canadian pride.
Over half (51%) of those who arrived in Canada less than 10 years ago and 45% of respondents who had lived there between 10 and 20 years said they were attached to Canada, but only as long as the country provided a good standard of living.
Angus Reid Institute
Immigrants who had been in the country for 20 years or longer appeared more attached to Canada. While 33% said their attachment to the country depended on the standard of living, a larger proportion (57%) said they had a deep emotional attachment to Canada and what it stands for.
What are your thoughts on the decline in Canadian pride? Let us know in the comments.