Fewer than three-in-five Canadians are satisfied with the criminal courts in their province.
Vancouver, BC [August 27, 2026] – The perceptions of Canadians on the national police service have become more positive over the past three years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, 70% of Canadians say they have confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2023.
About two thirds of Canadians also express confidence in the internal operations and leadership of two other elements of the Canadian justice system: their municipal police force (66%, -1) and the Supreme Court of Canada (65%, =). The rating is lower for provincial criminal courts (57%, -1).
More than seven-in-ten residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (76%, +19). British Columbia (72%, +9) and Ontario (also 72%, +7) have confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP. The proportions are lower in Alberta (69%, +4), Quebec (68%, =) and Atlantic Canada (56%, -4).
Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, +7) say their confidence in the internal operations and leadership of the RCMP has stayed the same over the past five years. One-in-five (20%, -6) say their confidence has decreased, while one-in-ten (10%, -2) report an increase.
The survey also asked Canadians to state whether the police officers who operate in their community possess five characteristics.
At least two thirds of Canadians say these police officers are approachable (70%, +1) respond to calls promptly (66%, -2) and can be trusted (also 66%, +2). Slightly fewer also think the police officers who operate in their community are a source of pride (58%, +1) and treat every person fairly (54%, +4).
“Only 49% of Canadians aged 18-to-34 regard police officers as a source of pride,” says Mario Canseco. President of Research Co. “The proportions are a higher among those aged 35-to-54 (56%) and those aged 55 and over (70%).”
Fewer than half of Atlantic Canadians (46%, +3) and Albertans (also 46%, -12) believe police officers treat every person fairly. The ratings is higher in British Columbia (53%, +1), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (54%, +5), Quebec (56%, +8) and Ontario (57%, +8).
Only 38% of Canadians of Indigenous descent (-10) the police officers who operate in their community treat every person fairly, compared to majorities of Canadians whose heritage is European (53%, +4), East Asian (57%, +6) or South Asian (58%, -3).
Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 17 to August 19, 2026, among 1,002 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Find our data tables here and download the press release here.
For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca