Canada is viewed as the most reliable partner, survey finds

With Prime Minister Trudeau set to leave for the G7 Leaders’ Summit and NATO Summit, a new report suggests Canada enjoys the highest level of trust among 11 European and North American countries.

75 per cent of the respondents rated Canada a “reliable partner”, followed closely by Germany and Sweden at 73 per cent. Poland and Turkey ranked lowest, at 45 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.

Led by the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Bertelsmann Foundation, Transatlantic Trends 2021 provides an overview of current strategic challenges facing countries on both sides of the Atlantic and a comparative analysis of how each country is viewed by the citizens of the others.

This is the first year Canada has been included in the annual public opinion survey. Among other findings:

• Canadians, more than any other population, see the United States as the most influential actor in international affairs (68 per cent).
• Canadians see climate change, global health, and trade as the three most important issues for transatlantic cooperation.
• Canadians are more satisfied with the state of their democracy than most in Europe or the U.S. Canadians are second only to Swedes in satisfaction.
• A strong majority (73 per cent) of Canadians see international trade as a benefit to Canada. Only three per cent see it as a clear disadvantage.
• After Sweden, Canada has the most positive views on immigration, with significantly more support than the U.K. or the U.S. Among countries surveyed, Canada has the largest number, by far (46 per cent), of respondents in favour of existing immigration policies.
• A strong majority of Canadians (67 per cent) consider NATO an important part of Canada’s national security.

“A strong and lasting post-pandemic recovery will require like-minded countries to collaborate on everything from health and security to climate change and economic growth,” says Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, the survey’s Canadian partner. “This survey sends a strong message to the rest of the world that Canada is a reliable partner with a stable democracy and a welcoming society.”

One thousand adults were surveyed in each of Canada,  France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Questions focused on issues such as trade, economic policies, relations with China, international security and global challenges.