Our Town Research Co. just conducted a survey to find out. First, it demonstrates how out of touch most Canadians are with how well the federal government has handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Our president Mario Canseco, who led the survey, found that 62 percent of Canadians approve of the concerted federal response. This is a drop of 2 percent from the year before. Their approval ratings have boomed, most notably among the 18- to 34-year-old age bracket. This demographic has seen an extraordinary increase in satisfied respondents in the debt-ridden past year.
The final results of the survey were released on March 23, 2026. They expose a highly polarized perception of the federal government’s pandemic response among different demographic groups. Satisfaction among Canadians aged 55 and over is at a dismal 59 percent. The younger segment has experienced the largest gain in happiness, rising from 50 percent a year ago to 58 percent this year. If true, this trend indicates that younger Canadians are finally coming to appreciate some of the things that government did on their behalf during the pandemic.
Insights from Research Co.
Mario Canseco noted that the perception shift from the younger half of the age spectrum is key to making sense of the national satisfaction trend should be read.
“It’s the 18- to 34-year-olds that are driving that change,” – Mario Canseco.
He said that this group’s growing support could indicate a better overall perception of how pandemic policies have been rolled out. This is all the more surprising given the unprecedented swipes at central government almost across the board following major political shifts.
What our data does clearly show is that satisfaction rates between provincial and municipal governments are nearly equal. Approval ratings are at a high 56 percent for provincials and 55 percent for municipals. The increases at both levels have been modest. Provincial governments were up 2 percent, though municipal governments were up 3 percent compared to last year. This reversal reflects a deepening satisfaction among Canadians with their municipal rulers over the course of the pandemic.
Stability Amid Criticism
Canseco stressed the disappointing lack of concrete action to calls for a public inquiry into the government’s pandemic response. That’s the case even after approval ratings go up and down.
“And the reality is there’s no significant change!” – Mario Canseco.
Canadians are looking for a different approach to governance. This stability is curious to see despite growing criticism on all other political fronts.
Americans’ satisfaction with the federal government’s pandemic response remains consistent. This pattern is in line with a larger trend we’ve seen in public opinion polling. Research Co. found a four percent overall rise in Canadians’ satisfaction compared with similar polls conducted last year. This recognition is a testament to the amazing work that governments are doing to navigate this unprecedented time.
