Three-quarters (73%) of Americans agree that “if there was a political issue I really cared about, I think I could make a difference by
participating in the political process.” This compares to just 58% of Canadians who concur with this position. The decline in political
participation in both Canada and the United States has been a major concern for a number of years. Theories for this decline include the
view that citizens do not feel like they have a voice in the decision process, that their participation would not make a difference. One-
in-three (36%) Canadians and just one-quarter (22%) of Americans disagree that they would not make a difference. Looking at the intensity of
feelings, a plurality of Americans (38%) strongly agree, compared to just one-in-five (21%) Canadians.
