COSMO Wave 1.6

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 ].