Trust Issues: Canadians and the Justice System
Ours To Protect
Canada is a pretty trusting place.
We trust strangers to watch our laptop at the café while we go to the bathroom.
We trust drivers to stop at stop signs… in mall parking lots.
We even trust that the person ahead of us in line will understand the unspoken rule that “one more question for the pharmacist” does not mean a full TED Talk.
But when it comes to our justice system?
Suddenly, we’re less “trusting Canadian” and more “suspicious raccoon approaching abandoned pizza box.”
Only 44% of Canadians think the justice system works the way it’s supposed to. Which is… not great.
That’s the kind of score that would get your kid le kicked out of French immersion.
And look, I get it.
Trust is tricky.
We trust the weather app more than the justice system.
And as anyone who’s ever left the house in March wearing optimism instead of boots can tell you… that’s saying something.
So let’s talk about why faith in fairness feels wobbly right now ...and why it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Why We Don’t Trust the System: A Starter Pack
Trust isn’t lost because of one big moment. It’s chipped away by a thousand small ones ...like realizing the “12-5pm arrival window” from the cable company is really more of a vibe.
Here’s what Canadians say makes them uneasy:
1. It feels slow. Like… glacially slow.
If justice were a person, it might be the guy at the self-checkout furiously scanning a lemon for four minutes straight. He’ll get the job done eventually, but it’s not inspiring confidence… and he has a basket full of random fruit to go yet.
2. It feels complicated.
Most legal language reads like someone tried to translate English into… more English. If you’ve ever opened a court document and thought, “I need a second document to explain this document,” you’re not alone.
3. It feels inconsistent.
Some people face harsher consequences than others. Especially marginalized groups who’ve been raising their hands about this since long before the rest of us started paying attention.
4. It feels distant.
If the justice system were a person, it’d be the cool substitute teacher who never learns your name. You know they exist… you’re just not entirely sure how they relate to your daily life.
5. And honestly? The world feels unpredictable already.
When everything else feels chaotic ...from politics to rent prices to whether your kid is going to bring home another case of fundraiser chocolate almonds ...it’s easy to assume the justice system is just another unpredictable thing.
But here’s the twist:
The rule of law is supposed to be the predictable part.
A Bit of Empathy Goes a Long Way
Before we start finger-wagging at the 56% who aren’t convinced the system works, let’s acknowledge something Canadian and human: most people don’t distrust the justice system because they’re cynical.
They distrust it because they don’t see it.
How often does the average Canadian interact with the courts?
Hopefully rarely.
If you’re interacting with them a lot, you’re either a lawyer or someone who has “Very Interesting Hobbies”.
But for the people who do rely on the system ...victims seeking protection, families navigating disputes, communities facing discrimination ...fairness isn’t abstract.
It’s immediate.
It’s lived.
And when they say, “This doesn’t feel fair,” we shouldn’t dismiss it.
We should listen.
Because fairness doesn’t exist if it only works for some people.
But Here’s the Good News: Fairness Isn’t Guesswork
If the justice system feels confusing, distant, or inconsistent, that doesn’t mean the rule of law is broken. It means we need to understand it ...and make sure it’s working the way it’s supposed to.
The rule of law is basically Canada’s fairness engine.
It’s not fancy. It’s not exciting.
It’s not even particularly Instagrammable unless you’re really into mostly brutalist architecture and oak paneling.
But it does something incredibly important:
It makes sure no one is above the rules, and no one is below their protection.
And that includes:
your rights
your freedoms
your ability to challenge decisions
your right to be treated equally
your expectation that those enforcing the rules follow them too
That’s the rule of law.
Not vibes.
Not luck.
Not “well, let’s hope today is a good day.”
Predictable.
Stable.
Fair.
The things we want the weather app to be… but never will.
Rebuilding Trust Starts with Understanding Fairness
Trust doesn’t magically appear.
It’s built.
And rebuilt.
And sometimes duct-taped into place by a country that has collectively said, “OK, enough chaos, we’d like things to be normal again.”
I wonder if someone from the USA is reading this.
Rebuilding trust in the justice system starts with transparency.
With communication.
With actually showing people how fairness works ...not just assuming they know.
Because fairness isn’t a secret menu item.
It’s not a privilege for the well-connected.
It’s not something you unlock after beating Level 7 of Taxes.
It’s a right.
And one that depends on a system we all need to believe in.
Not blindly.
But confidently.
Fairness Shouldn’t Feel Like a Weather Report
If you check your rights the same way you check the forecast ...“I guess we’ll see what happens…” ...that’s not a good sign. Fairness shouldn’t fluctuate like humidity.
The rule of law should be something we can rely on.
Something solid.
Something predictable in the best way possible.
We might not always trust the forecast.
But fairness doesn’t have to be a guessing game.
If you want to know how the rule of law protects your rights ...and why it’s worth believing in ...there’s a clear, simple place to start:
Visit ourstoprotect.ca.
Because “fair” shouldn’t just be tomorrow’s weather forecast.
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