Trust, Public Institutions, and Pandemic Management: Some Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited interest in trust in public institutions as the efficacy of public health interventions is predicated on trust in the institutions (different levels of government and health authorities). Using a unique micro-level dataset, I assess trust of Canadians in public institutions and whether it might contribute to containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. I find that on average Canadians trust their public institutions and this trust is primarily driven by social trust. However, trust in institutions is not uniform. It is strongly positively related to level of education, age, and sex. More educated, older, female Canadians are more likely to trust public institutions. However, there are significant differences across provinces as well. I provide positive evidence relating trust and flattening of the COVID-19 incidence curve. I also find that higher level of trust in public institutions significantly increases the likelihood of taking vaccines when they become available. This initial assessment of trust in containing COVID-19 indicates that policymakers should take the initiative to maintain and enhance trust to effectively implement public initiatives to curb future waves of this and other pandemics, which have significant consequences for the Canadian economy.