Canadian populations of Mallard are at least moderately well monitored by four programs. The western population is best monitored by the Waterfowl Breeding Population Habitat Survey (WBPHS), which is highly suitable, covers much of the range, and has high precision. The Eastern Waterfowl Survey (EWS) is considered to be most representative for the eastern population, as it provides moderate coverage of the breeding range, but has high suitability and precision. although it only dates back to 1990, which reduces confidence in the long-term trend. The Southern Ontario Waterfowl Population Survey (SOWPS) spans a longer period, back to 1971, but covers a smaller area. The national population is most broadly sampled by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which has high suitability, precision, and coverage. The WBPHS shows a moderate long-term decrease of 34% since 1970, with a particularly steep decline since 2015. The EWS and SOWPS both indicate moderate increases of 52% and 91% respectively. The BBS shows a change of -24% relative to 1970, which is classified as little change, but on the verge of being a moderate decrease, and therefore confidence is only medium.

The goal for the national population of Mallard is to maintain abundance at or above the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Recent data show that the population is within its goal range.

For the eastern Population, the goal is to remain at or above its recent population level, based on the Eastern Waterfowl Survey. Trend data show that this population is currently within its goal range.

For the western population, the goal is to maintain a population of at least 5.5 million individuals within the area sampled by the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. This is based on the North American Waterfowl Management Plan's goal of 7,726,000 individuals across the survey's full range, but adjusted to reflect the average proportion of the breeding population in Canada (71%). Data from the Canadian portion of the range indicate that the western population of Mallard is currently below its goal.