1. Top-tier ranking: Canada is classified by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) as a “full democracy” with an overall score of 8.69 out of 10 in the 2024 Democracy Index, placing Canada 14th globally.
  2. Strong rights protection: According to the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) / International IDEA Global State of Democracy framework, Canada ranks in the top 25 of nations for key democracy elements such as civil liberties, rule of law, and electoral fairness.
  3. Transparent inquiry outcomes: A federal commission investigating foreign interference found no evidence of “traitors” in Parliament and concluded that democratic institutions remain robust—even while noting threats of disinformation.
  4. Well-conducted elections: Canada continues to hold regular, free and fair elections at federal, provincial and municipal levels, with institutional frameworks (such as Elections Canada) that maintain standards of electoral integrity.
  5. Pluralism and opposition viable: Multiple political parties operate at federal and provincial levels; opposition parties hold seats and can influence governance.
  6. Rule of law and judicial independence: Canada’s judiciary demonstrates independence and constitutional rights are upheld, reinforcing democratic governance.
  7. Public participation and civic technology: Canadian civil society shows growth in new forms of participation—including civic-tech initiatives that broaden engagement beyond just voting.
  8. Global comparison favourable: While democracy globally faces headwinds, Canada remains among the more stable and resilient democracies, even as other countries slip.

Footnotes

  1. https://d1qqtien6gys07.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Democracy_INDEX_2024.pdf
  2. https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/202403E
  3. https://apnews.com/article/df7001ea0c76f76fe105869ccec4a420
  4. (See statement above about electoral frameworks)
  5. (See political pluralism and party viability – no specific URL listed)
  6. (No direct URL listed for judicial independence item)
  7. https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.06651
  8. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/democracy-index-eiu