Millions believe in conspiracy theories in Canada, survey shows

A recent survey by Abacus Data suggests millions of Canadians believe in theories that aren’t based on facts due to a lack of trust in government and news organizations.

The study suggests that there is a strong relationship between believing in conspiracy theories and not trusting the media and the governments.

Fifty-two per cent of Canadians think government organizations can’t be trusted, 85 per cent of them do not trust news organizations. Among the 44 per cent of the Canadian population who do not believe the media, 71 per cent do not trust government officials.

Conspiracy theories data

The survey suggested that six per cent of Canadians believe birds aren’t real — they could be US drones — five per cent aren’t sure.

Twenty per cent of Canadians think that the 9-11 attack was “an inside job.”

Only 47 per cent of the population do not think that the royal family killed Princess Diana.

Thirty-seven per cent think that the US election could have been stolen from Trump.

Almost 30 per cent of Canadians believe that climate change is a hoax or think it’s possible.

Thirty-three per cent of people believe that the moon landing has never happened or think it’s possible.

Thirty per cent think Ukraine is full of Nazis, and Russia’s invasion is meant to protect people, twenty per cent of them are not sure.

Almost 30 per cent think the number of Jewish people killed in the Holocaust is greatly exaggerated, 18 per cent of them are not sure.


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Supporters of the People’s Party, people who are anti-vaccine, and those who do not trust media and government organizations are the most prone to believe these theories, the study suggests.

Canadians who share similar values to Pierre Poilievre, the front runner for Conservative Party leadership tend to believe the above theories more than those whose values and ideas align with the values of Jean Charest, candidate for the Conservative leadership.

The survey concluded that most people who do not believe in government and news agencies tend to believe in conspiracy theories.

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