Wave 2
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. 2,098 Canadians aged 18 and older were surveyed between April 21 and 25, 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
There has been a shift from wave to wave in how Canadians are viewing the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, with most now believing that the worst is either currently happening or is behind us [see chart].
Preventative Measures
Nearly half of Canadians in Wave 2 believe that eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, despite limited evidence to suggest so [see chart].
Most Canadians continue to adhere to key public health advice (e.g., physically distancing, handwashing, self-quarantining), and report that it will be very easy to maintain hand washing even when COVID-19 restrictions ease. However, Canadians believe that it will be more challenging to maintain other measures, such as working from home, physical distancing, and keeping social encounters to a minimum [see chart].
Shopping Behaviours
Most Canadians report having shopped locally, or planning to. Almost 80% of Canadians report grocery shopping once a week or less, but nearly half have had trouble finding essential food items such as milk and flour [see chart].
Concerns
Concern is decreasing in terms of the state of the COVID-19 crisis, along with corresponding economic, health system, and personal impacts. Nevertheless, stress levels remain elevated with few Canadians expressing satisfaction with their life as a whole at the moment [see chart].
Views on Lifting Restrictions
Most Canadians believe that existing restrictions and closures on schools, and physical distancing should remain in place for weeks to months. Many, however, would like to see non-essential businesses open sooner, rather than later [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?
-
Figure - Text description
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 A5. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?
-
Figure - Text description
Table A5. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?
Figure A6. How would you rate your level of knowledge on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
-
Figure - Text description
Table A6. How would you rate your level of knowledge on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Figure A7. Which groups are at risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19?
-
Figure - Text description
Table A7. Which groups are at risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19?
Figure A14. I consider myself to be at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
-
Figure - Text description
Table A14. I consider myself to be at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Figure A14a. Why do you consider yourself to be at high risk?
-
Figure - Text description
Table A14a. Why do you consider yourself to be at high risk?
Figure A15. I believe that if I get sick with COVID-19, I am at risk for poor health outcomes (e.g. requiring hospitalization)
-
Figure - Text description
Table A15. I believe that if I get sick with COVID-19, I am at risk for poor health outcomes (e.g. requiring hospitalization)
Figure A16. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me.
-
Figure - Text description
Table A16. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me.
Figure B7. Which of the following work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and how often do you use them?
-
Figure - Text description
Table B7. Which of the following work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and how often do you use them?
Figure B9. COVID-19 feels…
-
Figure - Text description
Table B9. COVID-19 feels…
Figure B10. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
-
Figure - Text description
Table B10. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
Figure B11. In the past 30 days, have you……
-
Figure - Text description
Table B11. In the past 30 days, have you……
Figure C1. How much do you trust and use the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
-
Figure - Text description
Table C1. How much do you trust and use the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
Figure C3. The type of information I need the most is…
-
Figure - Text description
Table C3. The type of information I need the most is…
Figure C5. People can have different reasons for choosing what information they need the most. At this point in time, please describe why particular types of information about COVID-19 are most important to you.
-
Figure - Text description
Table C5. People can have different reasons for choosing what information they need the most. At this point in time, please describe why particular types of information about COVID-19 are most important to you.
Figure D1. How much confidence do you have in the individuals and organizations below that they can handle COVID-19 well?
-
Figure - Text description
Table D1. How much confidence do you have in the individuals and organizations below that they can handle COVID-19 well?
Figure E1. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
-
Figure - Text description
Table E1. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
Figure E7. Many of the measures that the government took due to COVID-19 are supposed to end in the next 30 days. In your opinion, these measures:
-
Figure - Text description
Table E7. Many of the measures that the government took due to COVID-19 are supposed to end in the next 30 days. In your opinion, these measures:
Figure E3. Have you implemented or plan to implement the following in order to prepare for COVID-19.
-
Figure - Text description
Table E3. Have you implemented or plan to implement the following in order to prepare for COVID-19.
Figure E4. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…
-
Figure - Text description
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)?
-
Figure - Text description
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 E6. People can respond to fear and worry during a crisis in many different ways. Please describe how you have helped yourself to cope with fear and worry about COVID-19.
-
Figure - Text description
Table E6. People can respond to fear and worry during a crisis in many different ways. Please describe how you have helped yourself to cope with fear and worry about COVID-19.
Respondent Regional Profiles
Age
| Canada (n=2,098) | BC/Yukon (n=288) | Alberta (n=281) | Man/Sask (n=244) | Ontario (n=653) | Quebec (n=413) | Atlantic (n=219) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-34 years | 27% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 28% | 26% | 23% |
| 35-54 years | 34% | 33% | 36% | 33% | 34% | 33% | 33% |
| 55 years and older | 33% | 34% | 26% | 30% | 33% | 34% | 39% |
Gender
| Canada (n=2,098) | BC/Yukon (n=288) | Alberta (n=281) | Man/Sask (n=244) | Ontario (n=653) | Quebec (n=413) | Atlantic (n=219) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 48% | 48% | 49% | 48% | 48% | 48% | 47% |
| Female | 51% | 52% | 50% | 51% | 52% | 51% | 52% |
| Gender diverse | 0% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
Education
| Canada (n=2,098) | BC/Yukon (n=288) | Alberta (n=281) | Man/Sask (n=244) | Ontario (n=653) | Quebec (n=413) | Atlantic (n=219) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school or less | 22% | 20% | 25% | 29% | 22% | 20% | 23% |
| College/trades | 51% | 50% | 49% | 48% | 48% | 56% | 56% |
| University / post-graduate | 27% | 30% | 26% | 23% | 30% | 24% | 21% |
Next steps
The Impact Canada Behavioural Science team will use a series of statistical analyses to look for patterns in the data, allowing us to answer questions like:
- How do intentions to vaccinate change over time?
- How do changes in trust in government information sources affect changes in intentions to vaccinate over time?
- How do individual-level characteristics (e.g., gender, baseline knowledge or anxiety, infection status) affect changes in intentions to vaccinate over time?
- How do interactions between gender and trust in government information sources affect changes in intentions to vaccinate over time?
We’re also preparing to advance a second phase of data collection, extending the project into 2021-2022!
Contact us
To learn more or explore working with us, please contact the Impact and Innovation Unit of the Privy Council Office.
Email us