Wave 8

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. 2,117 Canadians aged 18 and older were surveyed between September 11 and 15, 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.

Continued focus on vaccine confidence and vaccine hesitancy along with an increased focus on the harms and risks associated with increased alcohol use.

More and more Canadians think that the “worst of the crisis is yet to come”

Up until Wave 5 of the survey, there was a steady increase in the number of respondents who thought “the worst of the crisis is behind us,” however, from Wave 5 to Wave 8 the percentage has declined from 41% to 26%. The percentage of respondents who think that the “worst of the crisis is yet to come” increased from 35% in Wave 5 to 49% by Wave 8 [see chart].

Increasing numbers of Canadians think that COVID-19 is ”spreading fast”

Over Waves 1 to 7 there was a gradual decline in the proportion of Canadians who felt that COVID-19 was “spreading fast” (W1: 56%, W7: 31%), however, in Wave 8, this number increased slightly (35%). [see chart].

Canadians are expecting long-lasting impacts of COVID-19

Canadians are expecting the impacts of COVID-19 to be long-lasting and many Canadians will avoid travelling to the US, going to large gatherings, flying on a plane, and using a ride-sharing service within the next year. Intentions to engage in some activities have decreased as the pandemic progresses. For example, the number of Canadians that think that it is likely that they will fly on a plane decreased from 19% in Wave 3 to 12% in Wave 8, and intentions to attend a large gathering decreased from 14% in Wave 3 to 8% in Wave 8 [see chart].

Support for public health measures remains steady

There is strong public support for extending some health measures for six months or longer and these numbers have increased or remained stable across waves. A majority of respondents believe that physical distancing should be extended for 6+ months, indicating that many Canadians are aware that COVID-19 will continue to impact day-to-day life into 2021 [see chart].

Opposition to lifting US and other international travel restrictions remains strong

The number of respondents that strongly disagree or disagree that travel restrictions between Canada and the US should be lifted has remained mostly stable between Waves 6 and 8. 77% of respondents are opposed to lifting Canada-US travel restrictions and 56% of respondents disagree that international (non-US) travel should be allowed to resume [see chart].

Vaccine confidence has declined since the beginning of the pandemic, and a consistent portion of Canadians remain undecided about whether to get vaccinated

65% of respondents strongly agree or agree that they would get a safe vaccine if it becomes available and only 43% think that vaccines are completely safe. 24% of Canadians are neutral or undecided about whether to get vaccinated. The proportion of people who disagree doubled from 6% in Wave 1 to 12% in Wave 5 and has remained stable since then. Concerns around a lack of research and testing, the safety/effectiveness of a vaccine, and the newness of the vaccine were the most prevalent reasons 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 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 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 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 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 E1b. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).

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Table E1b. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).

Figure C8. Please evaluate how much you disagree or agree with the following statements.

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Table C8. Please evaluate how much you disagree or agree with the following statements.

Figure E1c. 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 E1c. 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 C11b. Who should receive the vaccine (% who ranked as #1)

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Table C11b. Who should receive the vaccine (% who ranked as #1)

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 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 E1d. Please give your opinion on the following statements on reopening Canada (level of agreement).

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Table E1d. Please give your opinion on the following statements on reopening Canada (level of agreement).

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 E1e. Please give your opinion on the following statements on wearing face masks (level of agreement).

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Table E1e. Please give your opinion on the following statements on wearing face masks (level of agreement).

Figure E30. Please give your opinion on the following statements.

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Table E30. Please give your opinion on the following statements.

Figure E32. Based on your current level of knowledge, please indicate the extent to which you think drinking alcohol increases your risk of experiencing the following:

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Table E32. Based on your current level of knowledge, please indicate the extent to which you think drinking alcohol increases your risk of experiencing the following:

Respondent Regional Profiles

Age

	Canada (n=2,117)	BC/Yukon (n=289)	Alberta (n=240)	Man/Sask (n=138)	Ontario (n=810)	Quebec (n=495)	Atlantic (n=144)
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=2,117)	BC/Yukon (n=289)	Alberta (n=240)	Man/Sask (n=138)	Ontario (n=810)	Quebec (n=495)	Atlantic (n=144)
Male	48%	48%	49%	49%	48%	49%	48%
Female	51%	52%	50%	51%	52%	51%	52%
Gender diverse	0.1%	0%	0.7%	0%	0%	0%	0%

Education

	Canada (n=2,117)	BC/Yukon (n=289)	Alberta (n=240)	Man/Sask (n=138)	Ontario (n=810)	Quebec (n=495)	Atlantic (n=144)
High school or less	21%	20%	21%	30%	20%	19%	27%
College/trades	52%	50%	53%	47%	50%	56%	54%
University / post-graduate	27%	30%	27%	23%	30%	25%	19%