Can a democracy survive if most citizens assume the worst about one another?
Canada is facing a growing crisis of trust. Across the country, Canadians are asking difficult
questions about trust in each other, trust in institutions, trust in information, and trust in the future itself. Political divisions are widening, confidence in many institutions is under pressure, and many citizens increasingly feel they are no longer sharing the same understanding of reality. Against this backdrop, The News Forum's National Town Hall on Trust and Democracy will bring Canadians together on September 17 for a candid and respectful conversation about what holds a democratic society together and what happens when those bonds begin to fray. Framed around the construction of a great stone arch, the evening asks a central question: what is the keystone that holds a free society together, and what happens when it begins to crack?
Can a government regulate its way back to trust?
Hosted at historic Navy Hall in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the site of Upper Canada's first Parliament in 1792, this unique event will feature a diverse panel representing both younger and older generations, with voices from across the political spectrum. The discussion will be grounded in a striking national finding: nearly half of younger Canadians say they would consider replacing democracy with a non-democratic system if it delivered better outcomes, a trend that appears generational rather than partisan. From institutional trust and political accountability to opportunity, fairness, and the future Canadians are building together, the town hall will examine how trust is earned, how it is lost, and whether it can be rebuilt.
When trust breaks down, who gets to decide what is true?
The purpose of this event is not to create consensus, but understanding. Through audience
participation, live polling, and an interactive perception exercise that challenges how we see truth in an age of personalized information, the town hall will explore one of the defining questions of our time: can democracy function if citizens no longer trust the institutions, information, and people around them? The evening begins and ends with the same question posed to the audience: “Do you believe most Canadians are generally trying to do the right thing? The answer may reveal whether meaningful dialogue can rebuild trust in real time. By bringing different generations and political viewpoints into the same room, this conversation aims to strengthen the civic foundations upon which Canada's future depends.
Event Panelist
J.O.Michel Maisonneuve (Lieutenant-General, retired), CMM, MSC, CD, MA
A graduate of the Royal Military College (RMC) of Canada, Maisonneuve completed 35 years of active service in the Canadian Armed Forces and another 10 years as Academic Director (Principal) of RMC Saint-Jean. A decorated Armour officer, he distinguished himself in progressive leadership positions in Canada and abroad and served on staff and as an operational commander in missions ranging from humanitarian relief to conflict operations with the UN, NATO and the OSCE. He is an author (In Defence of Canada: Reflections of a Patriot - 2024) and sought-after commentator on current events.
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Service Name
Khalil-Najir Miles is an Honours graduate of the University of Toronto with experience on Parliament Hill and on provincial election campaigns. He is the founder of Torch & Maple, a national civic initiative that fosters Canadian values among young people while countering the rise of extremism in the country's civic life. Khalil-Najir brings a deep interest in Canadian civic history to his work, and he is driven by a belief in building a country where young people feel a genuine sense of belonging and pride in what Canada stands for.
