Wave 5

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.

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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.

Key Insights

This report focuses on the results for the second wave of this research. 2,169 Canadians aged 18 and older were surveyed between June 23-28, 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.

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 Wave 1 in mid-April to 41% in Wave 5 at the end of June). However, a significant portion (35%) of Canadians still feel that the “worst of the crisis is yet to come” [see chart].

Canadians are expecting long-lasting impacts of COVID-19

Canadians are expecting some impacts of COVID-19 to be long-lasting. For example, many Canadians will avoid travelling to the US, going to large gatherings, taking public transit, flying on a plane, and using a ride-sharing service within the next year [see chart].

Support for public health measures remains steady

Public support for extending measures such as cancelling large gatherings and physical distancing remains strong. However, support for some public health measures such as closing of outdoor spaces and non-essential services has declined [see chart].

Adherence to public health measures has declined

Compliance with many protective behaviours has declined. However, mask-wearing while out in public has increased over each wave (from 22% in Wave 1 to 40% in Wave 5) as more cities make mask-wearing mandatory in indoor public spaces (e.g., Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Kingston) [see chart].

There are potentially diverging attitudes towards US and other international travel restrictions

The number of respondents that disagree that travel restrictions between Canada and the US should be lifted increased from 69% in Wave 4 to 71% in Wave 5. The number of respondents that disagree that international travel (not including the US) should be allowed to resume declined from 58% in Wave 4 to 52% in Wave 5. It will be important to monitor this potential trend as opinion could diverge further as the number of cases in the US continues to climb [see chart].

Vaccine confidence rates have declined

Only 65% of those surveyed strongly agreed or agreed that they would get a safe vaccine if it becomes available. The number of people who disagree has doubled since April, increasing from 6% in Wave 1 to 12% in Wave 5. Safety-related concerns were the most prevalent reason provided for not wanting a vaccine [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 A2. How many days do you think it has been since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO)?

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Table A2. How many days do you think it has been since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO)?

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 B2. For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is...

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Table B2. For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is...

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 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 C2. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

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Table C2. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

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 E1a. What are your reasons for hesitating or not wanting to get a safe and/or effective COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended?

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Table E1a. What are your reasons for hesitating or not wanting to get a safe and/or effective COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended?

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 E7. Some of the measures that the government took due to COVID-19 are ending or have already ended. Do you think this measure should:

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Table E7. Some of the measures that the government took due to COVID-19 are ending or have already ended. Do you think this measure should:

Figure E8. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would…

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Table E8. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would…

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 E17. As you may know, the Canada-U.S. border is currently closed to non-essential traffic. Which of the following approaches should Canada take to opening the border?

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Table E17. As you may know, the Canada-U.S. border is currently closed to non-essential traffic. Which of the following approaches should Canada take to opening the border?

Figure E18. Suppose the Canada-U.S. border opened for non-essential travel as soon as late July. Would you travel to the United States for a day trip or longer? As a reminder, there is currently a 14-day quarantine requirement upon return to Canada.

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Table E18. Suppose the Canada-U.S. border opened for non-essential travel as soon as late July. Would you travel to the United States for a day trip or longer? As a reminder, there is currently a 14-day quarantine requirement upon return to Canada.

Figure E20. If travelling to the U.S. was made less restrictive, what would be your primary purpose for travelling in the next year?

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Table E20. If travelling to the U.S. was made less restrictive, what would be your primary purpose for travelling in the next year?

Figure E21. As you may know, Canada’s borders are closed to non-essential international travel. Which of the following approaches, if any, should Canada take to opening its international borders (not including the U.S.) within the next year?

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Table E21. As you may know, Canada’s borders are closed to non-essential international travel. Which of the following approaches, if any, should Canada take to opening its international borders (not including the U.S.) within the next year?

Figure S22. How often did you use public transportation prior to the COVID-19 outbreak?

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Table S22. How often did you use public transportation prior to the COVID-19 outbreak?

Figure S22b. How often did you use public transportation during the COVID-19 outbreak?

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Table S22b. How often did you use public transportation during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Respondent Regional Profiles

Age

	Canada (n=2,169)	BC/Yukon (n=269)	Alberta (n=245)	Man/Sask (n=141)	Ontario (n=830)	Quebec (n=508)	Atlantic (n=148)
18-34 years	27%	27%	32%	29%	27%	26%	23%
35-54 years	34%	34%	36%	34%	35%	33%	33%
55 years and older	39%	40%	32%	37%	38%	41%	44%

Gender

	Canada (n=2,169)	BC/Yukon (n=269)	Alberta (n=245)	Man/Sask (n=141)	Ontario (n=830)	Quebec (n=508)	Atlantic (n=148)
Male	48%	48%	49%	49%	48%	49%	48%
Female	51%	52%	50%	51%	52%	51%	52%
Gender diverse	0.46%	0%	1%	0%	0.6%	0%	0%

Education

	Canada (n=2,169)	BC/Yukon (n=269)	Alberta (n=245)	Man/Sask (n=141)	Ontario (n=830)	Quebec (n=508)	Atlantic (n=148)
High school or less	22%	22%	21%	27%	21%	21%	23%
College/trades	51%	48%	53%	49%	50%	55%	54%
University / post-graduate	27%	30%	26%	24%	30%	24%	23%