COSMO Wave 1.2
Perceptions about ongoing mental health and wellbeing challenges Canadians may be experiencing as a result of COVID-19
Impact Canada, Impact & Innovation Unit, Privy Council Office
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 ].
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 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% |