COSMO Wave 1.8

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 ].