Relationships with family, friends and neighbours are essential in developing a strong sense of identity, belonging and personal safety. Similarly, trust in family and friends and societal institutions can be important to building and maintaining social ties. Trust is associated with higher levels of reciprocity and cooperation between individuals, and can facilitate the flow of information and transactions. This, in turn, can affect the overall performance of the economy.
In 2023, most Canadians reported high satisfaction and trust in their relationships. On the other hand, they reported some distrust of information and news from the media, particularly from non-traditional sources, such as the Internet and social media.
“Trust in others” and “satisfaction with personal relationships” are two indicators from Canada’s Quality of Life Framework. This analytical framework helps the federal government identify future priorities by collecting essential data on the well-being of Canadians.