Building a Thriving Democracy: The Effort Behind a Free Society

Canada’s democracy is strong and recognized globally, despite some negative opinions. International organizations consistently highlight the country’s commitment to democratic values and citizens’ rights.

The Economist Intelligence Unit recently placed Canada 14th in its Democracy Index, labeling it as one of only 25 full democracies among 167 countries. This shows that Canada stands out in terms of governance.

Freedom House, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., awarded Canada a high score of 97 out of 100 in 2025, maintaining the same rating from the previous year. This score reflects Canada’s solid history of upholding political rights and civil liberties.

Another notable organization, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance from Sweden, ranks Canada in the top 25% for protecting rights. In their latest evaluation, Canada secured 17th place out of 173 countries. Although there have been some concerns about a decline in the rule of law over the past five years, Canada still shows strong performance in representation and participation.

The Atlas of Impunity 2024 report from the Eurasia Group also praises Canada, noting the country’s low levels of corruption and accountability. This contrasts with various regions experiencing issues with unaccountable governments.

Transparency International, based in Berlin, gave Canada a solid rating, placing it 15th out of 180 countries, alongside Germany. However, the report does mention a decline in Canada’s score over recent years.

Additionally, the V-Dem Institute ranked Canada 25th out of 179 countries in its 2024 Democracy Report. This ranking is commendable, yet it indicates there’s still room for improvement.

Every report emphasizes that while Canada maintains a strong economy and democratic values, there are challenges to address. It’s important to recognize that many around the world do not enjoy these democratic freedoms. According to the V-Dem Institute, 71% of the global population lives under autocratic rule today, compared to 48% a decade ago. This trend away from democracy is concerning.

In Canada, we have a dependable democratic government and freedoms that many others lack. It’s essential to appreciate and protect this stability and the rights we cherish.

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Democracy|Editorials