Wave 4
COSMO Canada
Implementing the WHO Behavioural Insights tool on COVID-19 to inform response efforts, including policy, interventions and communications.
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.
+ Learn moreMethodology
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.
Key Insights
This report focuses on the results for the second wave of this research. 2,152 Canadians aged 18 and older were surveyed between May 27 and June 1, 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.
Questions were added that focused on how behaviours have shifted in balancing work and family priorities throughout this time of transition. Further questions that focused on the experiences of small and medium business owners were also added. Wave 4 also captured Canadians‘ ongoing perceptions of (1) when and how restriction measures should be relaxed; and (2) degree of comfort with returning to somewhat normal routines and/or behaviours over time.
More Canadians are feeling that the “worst of the crisis is behind us”
As we move through the crisis, more people are feeling that the “worst of the crisis is behind us” (from 6% in mid-April to 36% at the end of May) and fewer Canadians are worried about transmitting COVID-19 to people around them. However, an equal portion of Canadians still feel that the worst of the crisis is yet to come [see chart].
Support for some public health measures is declining
Support for the continued closures of daycare centres and schools, restricted access to long-term care facilities, physical distancing and cancelling large events for an additional one to six months or longer remains fairly high, but these numbers have decreased over each Wave of the survey. The percentage of respondents who think that the closures of non-essential services and outdoor spaces need to end within 30 days or sooner increased from Wave 3 to Wave 4 [see chart].
Compliance with some public health measures has declined
Compliance levels with many protective behaviours have declined. However, mask-wearing while out in public has increased over each Wave (from 22% in Wave 1 to 36% in Wave 4) [see chart].
Selected Figures
A number of selected figures are presented below. For more information on the data set, please contact the Impact and Innovation Unit.
Figure A1. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?
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Table A1. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?
Figure A16. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me.
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Table A16. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me.
Figure B7. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?
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Table B7. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?
Figure B9. COVID-19 feels…
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Table B9. COVID-19 feels…
Figure B10. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
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Table B10. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
Figure B11. In the past two weeks, have you…
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Table B11. In the past two weeks, have you…
Figure C1. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
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Table C1. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
Figure C3. The type of information I need the most is…
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Table C3. The type of information I need the most is…
Figure C6. Have you been watching/reading the news more than usual, same as usual or less than usual?
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Table C6. Have you been watching/reading the news more than usual, same as usual or less than usual?
Figure E1. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
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Table E1. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
Figure E4. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…
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Table E4. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…
Figure E5. Once restriction measures begin to lift, how easy will it be for you to maintain the following behaviours over the long term (i.e. until 2021)?
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Table E5. Once restriction measures begin to lift, how easy will it be for you to maintain the following behaviours over the long term (i.e. until 2021)?
Figure E9. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..
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Table E9. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..
Figure E14. Which of the following changes have you noticed while grocery shopping since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic?
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Table E14. Which of the following changes have you noticed while grocery shopping since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Figure E15. To what extent do you think these changes are effective at keeping you safe while grocery shopping?
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Table E15. To what extent do you think these changes are effective at keeping you safe while grocery shopping?
Respondent Regional 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% | 49% | 49% | 48% | 49% | 47% |
| Female | 51% | 52% | 50% | 51% | 52% | 51% | 52% |
| Gender diverse | 0.46% | 0% | 1% | 0.56% | 0.6% | 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 | 21% | 21% | 19% | 27% | 19% | 22% | 25% |
| College/trades | 52% | 48% | 54% | 50% | 51% | 55% | 53% |
| University / post-graduate | 27% | 31% | 27% | 23% | 30% | 23% | 22% |