COSMO Wave 1.3
How restriction measures should be relaxed, changes to existing behavioural routines during the pandemic, and degree of comfort with returning to somewhat normal routines and/or behaviours over time
Impact Canada, Impact & Innovation Unit, Privy Council Office
Key Insights
This report focuses on the results for the second wave of this research. 2,000 Canadians aged 18 and older were surveyed between May 5 and 10, 2020. The data was weighted to ensure that the sample distribution reflects the actual Canadian adult population according to Statistics Canada census data. There is no associated margin of error for the results, since a non-probability design means that results cannot be projected to the larger population.
Pandemic Outlook
Currently, 58% of Canadians believe that we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or that the worst is behind us, up from 41% in Wave 1 [ see chart ].
Concerns
Roughly 4 in 10 Canadians have recently had some trouble sleeping, have felt anxious, lonely or depressed, while a quarter have experienced relationship strain with household members. About 1 in 10 have had physical reactions when thinking about their experience with COVID-19 [ see chart ].
Preventative Behaviours
While the use of most preventative measures have decreased from wave 1, the use of masks in public has increased with each wave [ see chart ]. Willingness to maintain behaviours has also risen slightly, notably physically distancing and changing from group to solo activities [ see chart ].
Shopping Behaviours
Most Canadians report having changed how or when they shop for groceries [ see chart ].
Views on Lifting Restrictions
Canadians report that restrictions on outdoor spaces and non-essential services should be lifted sooner than those on schools/daycare centres and gatherings [ see chart ].
Less than half of Canadians report that they are likely to eat in a restaurant within the next year. Even fewer report that they are likely to participate in social gatherings, or fly on a plane [ see chart ].
Background
To support federal response efforts, Impact Canada is leading the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Behavioural Insights (BI) Tool on COVID-19 in the Canadian context. This work is led in collaboration with the Public Opinion Research Team within the Privy Council Office’s (PCO) Communications and Consultation Secretariat, which supports the Prime Minister’s Office in coordinating government communications in accordance with key priorities.
Methodology
With a longitudinal design, the study follows 2,000 participants recruited from an online panel over sixteen data collection waves. New participants are added only when an original panelist stops participating.
Respondents are a representative mix of Canadian adults aged 18 years and older and results are weighted using 2016 Statistics Canada census data to mirror the population distribution in Canada.
Selected Figures
A number of selected figures are presented below. For more information on the data set, please contact the Impact and Innovation Unit .
Respondent Profiles
Age
| Canada (n=2,000) | BC/Yukon (n=278) | Alberta (n=263) | Man/Sask (n=243) | Ontario (n=590) | Quebec (n=402) | Atlantic (n=224) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-34 years | 27% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 28% | 26% | 23% |
| 35-54 years | 34% | 33% | 36% | 33% | 34% | 33% | 33% |
| 55 years and older | 39% | 40% | 32% | 37% | 38% | 41% | 44% |
Gender
| Canada (n=2,000) | BC/Yukon (n=278) | Alberta (n=263) | Man/Sask (n=243) | Ontario (n=590) | Quebec (n=402) | Atlantic (n=224) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 48% | 48% | 47% | 48% | 48% | 49% | 47% |
| Female | 51% | 52% | 50% | 51% | 52% | 51% | 52% |
| Gender diverse | 1% | 0% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
Education
| Canada (n=2,000) | BC/Yukon (n=278) | Alberta (n=263) | Man/Sask (n=243) | Ontario (n=590) | Quebec (n=402) | Atlantic (n=224) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school or less | 22% | 21% | 25% | 27% | 21% | 20% | 26% |
| College/trades | 51% | 49% | 45% | 49% | 49% | 57% | 52% |
| University / post-graduate | 27% | 30% | 30% | 23% | 29% | 23% | 22% |