Wave 6
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. 2,141 Canadians aged 18 and older were surveyed between July 17 and 22, 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.
Increased the focus on vaccine confidence, consumer behaviour, along with a continued focus on returning to “normal” behaviours, travel intentions and pandemic fatigue.
More Canadians are feeling that the “worst of the crisis is yet to come”
Up until Wave 5 of the survey, there was a steady increase in the portion of people who thought “the worst of the crisis is behind us.” The proportion of Canadians who felt that “the worst has yet to come” remained steady through Waves 2 to 5. However, between Waves 5 and 6 there was an increase in the portion of people who think that “the worst is yet to come” (from 35% in Wave 5 to 42% in Wave 6), and a decrease in the portion who reported that the “worst of the crisis is behind us” (from 41% in Wave 5 to 34%) [see chart].
Support for public health measures remains steady
There is strong public support for extending some measures for six months or longer (physical distancing and cancelling large gatherings), and these numbers have increased between Waves 5 and 6 [see chart].
Canadians see COVID-19 as a major threat to the country’s economy and the health of the Canadian population as a whole
Respondents were more likely to indicate that COVID-19 was a threat to the Canadian economy than their personal finances. Similarly, people were more likely to indicate that COVID-19 was a threat to the health of the population as a whole, rather than their personal health. 47% indicate that COVID-19 is a threat to the rights and freedoms of the Canadian population [see chart].
Opinions towards resuming US and other international travel restrictions are diverging
The number of respondents that strongly disagree or disagree that travel restrictions between Canada and the US should be lifted increased from 69% in Wave 4 to 81% in Wave 6. The number of respondents that strongly disagree or disagree that international travel should be allowed to resume declined from 58% in Wave 4 to 54% in Wave 6 [see chart].
Vaccine confidence rates have declined since the first Wave of the survey, and vaccine hesitancy appears to be driven by safety concerns and the rapid development of the vaccine
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 doubled from 6% in Wave 1 to 12% in Wave 5, and remained stable in Wave 6. Concerns around the safety of a vaccine, a lack of research and testing, and the newness of the vaccine were the most prevalent reasons provided for not wanting to receive a safe vaccine once developed [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 and B12. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me. / For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is...
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Table A16 and B12. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me. / For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is...
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 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 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 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 E1b. What is your top/main reason for not wanting to get a safe and/or effective COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended?
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Table E1b. What is your top/main reason for not wanting to get a safe and/or effective COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended?
Figure E23. Please indicate whether COVID-19 has impacted your living situation in the following ways.
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Table E23. Please indicate whether COVID-19 has impacted your living situation in the following ways.
Figure E24. How much of a threat, if any, is the COVID-19 outbreak for... How much of a threat, if any, is the COVID-19 outbreak for...
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Table E24. How much of a threat, if any, is the COVID-19 outbreak for... How much of a threat, if any, is the COVID-19 outbreak for...
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 S8c. Based on what you know now about your child(ren)'s school(s)' reopening plans, which of the following scenarios would you be comfortable with?
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Table S8c. Based on what you know now about your child(ren)'s school(s)' reopening plans, which of the following scenarios would you be comfortable with?
Figure S22a. How often did you use public transportation during the COVID-19 outbreak?
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Table S22a. How often did you use public transportation during the COVID-19 outbreak?
Figure E18. Suppose the Canada-U.S. border opened for non-essential travel as soon as late August. 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 August. 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.
Respondent Regional Profiles
Age
| Canada (n=2,141) | BC/Yukon (n=293) | Alberta (n=242) | Man/Sask (n=139) | Ontario (n=820) | Quebec (n=501) | Atlantic (n=146) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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=2,141) | BC/Yukon (n=293) | Alberta (n=242) | Man/Sask (n=139) | Ontario (n=820) | Quebec (n=501) | Atlantic (n=146) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 48% | 48% | 49% | 49% | 48% | 49% | 48% |
| Female | 51% | 52% | 50% | 51% | 52% | 51% | 52% |
| Gender diverse | 0.36% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0.58% | 0% | 0% |
Education
| Canada (n=2,141) | BC/Yukon (n=293) | Alberta (n=242) | Man/Sask (n=139) | Ontario (n=820) | Quebec (n=501) | Atlantic (n=146) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school or less | 22% | 21% | 20% | 29% | 22% | 21% | 24% |
| College/trades | 51% | 48% | 55% | 47% | 49% | 54% | 52% |
| University / post-graduate | 27% | 31% | 25% | 23% | 29% | 25% | 24% |