Canadians generally believe that the authorities who make the COVID-19 rules for where they live and work are finding the right balance in terms of mitigating health, economic and mental health risks, except in the Prarie provinces.

Across the country, 58% say authorities are handling that challenge well, 33% poorly.  However, in Alberta, 49% offer a poor rating compared to 40% who offer a positive reaction.  Numbers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are similar.

THE HEALTH RISK

When it comes to limiting the health risks of the pandemic, 58% say authorities have been putting the right amount of emphasis on this area. Only 12% believe too much effort is being put into the fight to spread infections, while more than twice that number (30%) would like to see more effort.

Again, the Prairie provinces stand out as the place in the country where the largest number of people think more needs to be done to fight the health risks. In Alberta, for example, only 12% think too much effort is being applied, compared to 45% who say authorities are doing too little.

THE ECONOMIC RISK

In terms of limiting the economic risks of the pandemic, 53% say authorities have been putting the right amount of emphasis on this area. One in five (20%) believe too much effort is being put into efforts to limit the economic damage, while 27% would like to see more effort.

Regionally Alberta is the high watermark in terms of people wanting more effort, with 41% wishing more was being done to limit the economic harm of the pandemic.

THE MENTAL HEALTH RISK

Of the three different types of risk, we measured, mental health was the area where people seem most anxious to see more done by authorities. While 46% say the right amount of effort is being applied, only 12% say too much effort is applied today, and a much larger 43% say too little is being done.

In this instance, the desire to see more done is elevated in every part of the country, except in Quebec.

If we compare the responses to each of these three probes what is clear that efforts to help manage the mental health strains of the pandemic are emerging as an urgent priority for the largest proportion of people, compared to the economic and health risks.

UPSHOT

According to Bruce Anderson: “Very few Canadians are looking for authorities to lighten efforts to combat the virus. Throughout the pandemic, Canadians have shown more patience than frustration with governments and how this unique situation has been handled and for the most part that continues to be the case. At the same time, frustration is clear in the Prairie provinces, where significant numbers of people want more effort applied by authorities.

In addition to this finding of frustration in the Prairies, the other thing which stands out in these numbers is that the combination of health fears, social disruption, economic anxiety are weighing on Canadians as we head into the winter. They recognize the risks to mental health and feel more attention must be applied to that challenge, presumably by governments but also by being attentive to each other and looking for signs of people needing help, and helping where they can.”

According to David Coletto: “Most Canadians feel authorities are handling the rules around the pandemic well. But the national numbers overshadow some sharp regional differences. Those in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are most likely to give authorities failing grades. In contrast, Atlantic Canadians feel the most positive about their leaders’ performance when finding the right balance in the COVID-19 restrictions and advice.

As concern about the pandemic continues to grow (53% still believe the worst is yet to come), most Canadians remain deeply concerned about the risk and the consequences of the virus spreading without much control. As they brace for further COVID restrictions and a long winter, mental and emotional health is becoming more important and demands for governments to respond will grow.”

ABOUT ABACUS DATA

We are the only research and strategy firm that helps organizations respond to the disruptive risks and opportunities in a world where demographics and technology are changing more quickly than ever.

Find out more about what we are doing to help clients respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail and exceptional value.

We were one of the most accurate pollsters conducting research during the 2019 Canadian Election.

Contact us with any questions.

Find out more about how we can help your organization by downloading our corporate profile and service offering.

METHODOLOGY

The survey was conducted with 1,660 Canadian adults from November 6 to 12, 2020. A random sample of panellists was invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. These partners are typically double opt-in survey panels, blended to manage out potential skews in the data from a single source.

The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Canada’s population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

In September 2020 Abacus Data partnered with 13 youth-serving agencies to undertake a survey of Canadian youth aged 15 to 30. We wanted to better understand the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic thus far, as told by Canadian Youth.

Here’s just some of what we found.  (To read the full report, click here) (And click here for the French version)

1.The pandemic has caused fundamental shifts to education, employment, and financial situations of Canadian youth, but above all else it has fundamentally altered the structure of their lives and the supports they can access. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the very framework of young Canadian’s lives.

Two-thirds of youth who are in school say the pandemic situation has made it more difficult for them to learn. And 67% are struggling to access the supports they need to learn as a result. Half have started rethinking their plans for education.

Well over half of youth (58%) say the pandemic has impacted their financial situation. In particular, youth employment remains a challenge. 61% have faced difficulties with employment including fewer hours, job loss or absence of seasonal work.

60% say they are feeling disconnected from family and friends. Despite being digital natives, 2 in 5 say the shift to digital interactions has made it more difficult to connect with friends while 1 in 4 report it being more challenging to connect with family or caregivers.

2.Aside from a global pandemic there have been growing concerns about other issues in our society, and Canadian youth are paying attention to these too. These have added compounding stresses to the lives of youth.

Looking beyond the direct consequences of the pandemic, youth are increasingly worried about other social issues too. At least half of Canadian youth have become more worried about the financial stability of our society, racial inequalities, impacts of socio-economic status, and climate change in recent months.

And Canadian youth don’t believe these issues are mutually exclusive from the pandemic. Half of Canadian youth say the pandemic has just exposed -pre-existing inequalities in our society.

This link between social inequalities and the pandemic’s impact are already a reality for many Canadian youth. The pandemic has only exacerbated the inequalities faced by youth from marginalized groups.

Youth who identify as a racial/ethnic minority face greater struggles with their social connections (by 13 pts), are less satisfied with their mental health (by 8 pts), and are more stressed about their futures (by 12 pts). **compared to those who do not identify as a racial/ethnic minority.

Youth who are from lower income households (under 18), are less content with their lives today (by 12 pts), feel more lonely/disconnected from their networks (by 11pts), and are more stressed about their futures (by 16 pts). ** compared to those who are not from lower income households.

3. Youth want a comprehensive recovery policy that focuses on those most in need, providing long-term solutions that not only address the consequences of the pandemic, but the pre-existing inequalities as well. Youth want a plan that deals with the issues faced by their peers but one that doesn’t leave anyone out, particularly those in marginalized communities and those who were facing challenges even before the pandemic began.

Asked to pick the most important strategies for a recovery, youth want the government’s recovery strategy to focus on: helping the healthcare system get back to capacity; more funding for mental health services and; addressing the issue of affordable housing.

They are also keenly interested in a plan that focuses on those most in need, addressing the pre-existing inequalities they see in society, including 86% are interested in a strategy that focuses on low-income Canadians.

This study was made possible by the following organizations:

ABOUT ABACUS DATA

We are the only research and strategy firm that helps organizations respond to the disruptive risks and opportunities in a world where demographics and technology are changing more quickly than ever.

Find out more about what we are doing to help clients respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail and exceptional value.

We were one of the most accurate pollsters conducting research during the 2019 Canadian Election.

Contact us with any questions.

Find out more about how we can help your organization by downloading our corporate profile and service offering.

METHODOLOGY

The web survey was conducted with 1,000 Canadian youth aged 15 to 30 from September 9th to 16th 2020. A random sample of panelists were invited to complete the survey from a set of blended panels.

The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched the target population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

Canadians overwhelmingly believe the election victory of Joe Biden will be good for Americans and for the world.

We asked Canadians to indicate whether they think Mr. Biden’s win will be good or bad across eleven different topics and in 10 of 11 cases, at least 3 out of 4 people saw the Democrat’s win as good news.

Fully 85% saw Biden’s election as good for Canada-US relations, from a high of 88% in Quebec to a low of 73% in Alberta. 91% of voters on the left, 86% of those in the centre and 73% of those on the right feel this way.

80% or more see a President Biden as turning out well in terms of improving America’s image in the world, dealing with COVID-19, stabilizing the world and promoting peace, narrowing the income gap, fighting climate change, and reducing racial tensions.

Almost as many see improvement for American workers, the US stock markets, and 78% think he will help unify America. It was only when it came to the prospects for oil producers that a significant minority saw headwinds – clearly a reflection of some knowledge that Biden intends to work to decarbonize the US economy. In Alberta, 62% said Biden’s victory would be bad for the oil sector.

President-elect Biden is also well regarded in Canada. 52% have a positive impression of him compared with 16% who have a negative view.  Since his election, his positives are up almost 20-points from early in October.

He has a net positive image across the political spectrum +59 with Liberals, +47 with New Democrats, +42 with Greens, +49 with BQ voters, and +8 with Conservative voters.

In contrast, President Trump is viewed positively by only 9% of Canadians and negatively by 80%.

Finally, in our last survey before the presidential election, only 10% thought the US was heading in the right direction. That number has more than doubled to 22% this week. And the right direction indicator for Canada jumped 7-points while optimism about the direction of the world increased 5-points following President-elect Biden’s win.

UPSHOT

According to Bruce Anderson: “The Trump presidency was traumatizing for many in Canada. Friction was created, ostensibly just for its news value, by President Trump. He forced a renegotiation of NAFTA, frequently described Canada as taking advantage of Americans, and pursued policies at home and abroad that were inconsistent with the values and priorities of the large majority of Canadians, across the political spectrum. It’s doubtful that many Canadians have digested his detailed policy roadmap but what is not in any doubt is that a broad cross-section of Canadians believe America made a change for the better with their votes on November 3.”

According to David Coletto: “If Joe Biden was a national Canadian political leader, he’d be the most popular by far with a net favourable rating of +36. Not only do Canadians like him and 75% would have voted for him if they had thebchance, but his election has raised the collective mood of the country.”

ABOUT ABACUS DATA

We are the only research and strategy firm that helps organizations respond to the disruptive risks and opportunities in a world where demographics and technology are changing more quickly than ever.

Find out more about what we are doing to help clients respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail and exceptional value.

We were one of the most accurate pollsters conducting research during the 2019 Canadian Election.

Contact us with any questions.

Find out more about how we can help your organization by downloading our corporate profile and service offering.

METHODOLOGY

The survey was conducted with 1,664 Canadian adults from November 6 to 12, 2020. A random sample of panelists were invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. These partners are typically double opt-in survey panels, blended to manage out potential skews in the data from a single source.

The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Canada’s population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

As Canada grapples with rising infection rates, the news of a potential breakthrough in the race for a vaccine today has undoubtedly stirred hopes of a quicker return to normal than may have seemed possible even a week ago.

If we assume that the results of the trials continue to be positive, and the Pfizer vaccine is approved for use, then the questions that will determine the pace of a return to normal revolve around the availability of the vaccine and take-up rates.

Our latest research shows:

• One in three Canadian adults say they would take an authorized vaccine as soon as it was possible for them to have it.

• Another 42% would plan on taking the vaccine but would prefer to watch the impact of the vaccine on the rest of the population for a bit before doing so.

• 14% say they are not keen on the idea of taking a vaccine but could be persuaded to.

• Finally one in ten says they will not take such a vaccine under any circumstances.

Hesitation rates for taking a vaccine are slightly above average in Alberta, Quebec and below average in BC and Atlantic Canada. Hesitation is highest among those in the 30-44 age group.

The most prominent differences occur around education and partisan orientation: those with a high school education are twice as likely to say they will not consider a vaccine compared to those with university education. Conservative voters are 4 times more likely than Liberal voters to refuse a vaccine under any circumstances.

Our research reveals that hesitation is much more likely to be a function of worries about potential harm than effectiveness at reducing infection rates.

Roughly two-thirds of those who say they will ‘wait a bit’ or ‘dislike the idea but could be persuaded’ to take a vaccine say their hesitancy is about possible side effects of the vaccine.

Many may be motivated to take a vaccine for self-protection (27%), the protection of loved ones (31%), but even more people (42%) say the best reason to be vaccinated is to speed a return to normal activities and life.

UPSHOT

“As attention turns to one or more promising vaccines and the potential for distribution of these products in the nearer term the focus for many will be on how quickly normal life, regular business activities and economic health can return. Part of arriving safely at normal is getting a vaccine to people and ensuring enough people take it to produce the widespread benefit it can hold.

Officials in Canada can continue to bank on the trust that most people here have in their determination to be guided by safety and at the same time to be cognizant that the mental health and economic toll have been heavy and a safe path out of the pandemic circumstance is of huge importance, everywhere. Reliable, trustworthy information about effectiveness will help promote take-up, but even more important will be steady evidence of no harmful side effects.”

ABOUT ABACUS DATA

We are the only research and strategy firm that helps organizations respond to the disruptive risks and opportunities in a world where demographics and technology are changing more quickly than ever.

Find out more about what we are doing to help clients respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail and exceptional value.

We were one of the most accurate pollsters conducting research during the 2019 Canadian Election.

Contact us with any questions.

Find out more about how we can help your organization by downloading our corporate profile and service offering.

METHODOLOGY

The survey was conducted with 1,500 Canadian adults from October 20 to 25, 2020. A random sample of panellists was invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. These partners are typically double opt-in survey panels, blended to manage out potential skews in the data from a single source.

The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 2.6%, 19 times out of 20.

The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Canada’s population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

As the world struggles with rising infection rates, Canadians are also showing heightened concern that they or a family member will become infected. Today, 46% are concerned they may contract the disease (up 9 percentage points since June) and 55% are concerned that a family member will (up 11-points since June).

In contrast, anxiety about the personal economic repercussions of the pandemic has remained fairly stable over that period of time. Today, 27% are concerned about their ability to pay bills over the next few months (26% in June), 43% are concerned about their long term financial situation (up 4 points), and 22% are concerned their job might disappear (no change).

Roughly two-thirds are worried about the potential damage to lots of businesses in their community (65%) and are concerned about the size of the deficit and public debt (63%) taken on to help manage the impacts of the pandemic.

Today, more Canadians believe the worst is yet to come for the pandemic (52%) than at any point from May to mid-September.  Those in western Canada are more likely to be pessimistic about the future. Perceptions are still in elevated Quebec and Atlantic Canada, but are lower than the national average.

We also track whether Canadians feel they are becoming more or less worried over the past seven days. This week, 45% of Canadians say they have become more worried about the pandemic over the past week while 11% have become less worried. This is down from two weeks ago, but still higher than at any point since early April.

UPSHOT

According to Bruce Anderson: “Most of our public opinion tracking since the pandemic started reveals broad levels of concern, continued desire for governments to prescribe policies that limit the spread, and caution when it comes to resuming normal activities. Even given the months-long impacts and the inevitable fatigue with the pandemic, this stoic and steady mood continues to prevail. While people are worried about business failures, and uncomfortable with record levels of public debt, they continue to want governments to take the steps necessary to ensure public safety and to cushion economic shocks.”

According to David Coletto: “Over the past few weeks, public anxiety about the pandemic has risen to levels not seen since the early days of the outbreak of COVID-19. Our research finds that when these core fears and perceptions rise, other attitudes and behavioural change follows. The risk of panic buying essential products increases as more feel another lockdown might happen. The willingness to take risks decreases meaning fewer trips to shopping centres, grocery stores, or restaurants and a reduction in social interactions.”

ABOUT ABACUS DATA

We are the only research and strategy firm that helps organizations respond to the disruptive risks and opportunities in a world where demographics and technology are changing more quickly than ever.

Find out more about what we are doing to help clients respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail and exceptional value.

We were one of the most accurate pollsters conducting research during the 2019 Canadian Election.

Contact us with any questions.

Find out more about how we can help your organization by downloading our corporate profile and service offering.

METHODOLOGY

The survey was conducted with 1,500 Canadian adults from October 20 to 25, 2020. A random sample of panelists were invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. These partners are typically double opt-in survey panels, blended to manage out potential skews in the data from a single source.

The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 2.6%, 19 times out of 20.

The data were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Canada’s population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

Remember just a few short months ago when the biggest news story of the pandemic was how much we were all hoarding toilet paper? Lots has changed since then, including countless news stories of much greater consequence, but have our hoarding behaviours changed? And what are the drivers behind them?

1.Generally, we are a bit less concerned about shortages in Wave 2. 

After living through a first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, it seems there is less uncertainty about the future, including feelings of uncertainly towards our food system. Our fears about shortages on the shelves have declined, but they haven’t gone away completely. While we may be less concerned, very few of us are confident this won’t be an issue at all. Only 13% have zero concerns about shortages of food or household products.

2. We are still stockpiling, but as as many of us as before. Yet. 

It turns out that toilet paper is still a hot commodity, but less so than in March. Many Canadians are still stocking up when we make a trip to the grocery store, but not as many as before. In particular, fewer Canadians are stocking up on canned good, fresh meats and dairy products.  Our behaviour may not be considered ‘hoarding’, but still into purchasing extra products ‘just in-case’.

3. But we still predict shortages to happen this wave too. 

Our predictions of shortages in certain product categories haven’t changed nearly as much as our tendencies towards stockpiling behaviour. but they aren’t all holding steady either. Two thirds of Canadians predict another shortage in household paper products (read: toilet paper). And we are less concerned about the supply of meat and dairy products, but having growing concerns about dried goods, cleaning supplies and alcoholic beverages. Perhaps we learned at thing or two from the rather unexpected yeast shortage a few short months ago.

4. Concerns about shortages vary across the country. 

Quebec aside, concerns about shortages are driven in part by how soon the next lockdown will be. While there is an uptick in concern about a lockdown in Quebec, they are not nearly as concerned about supply issues as other provinces facing lockdowns. Concerns about shortages are highest in Atlantic Canada, where the region has been on lockdown for months, and in Ontario (where 38% predict the province will be on lockdown within the next 14 days).

SO WHAT? 

Right now, it looks like our hoarding tendencies aren’t as strong as they were back in March. But there’s still time for that to change.

Our tendency to stock up is driven by what we see happening around us. The more likely we are to foresee an imminent lockdown, worry about an increase in cases, predict food shortages, and hear conversations about shortages, the more likely we are to go out and buy canned lentils and paper towels in bulk.

In other words, if we can justify stocking up for a second wave, we will be going out and doing just that. While predictions of shortages have decreased, our peripheral fears of increasing cases, and feeling like the worst is yet to come seem to be back on the rise. This creates a perfect climate for the kind of panic buying we saw earlier this year.

The worry curve, or those who say they are extremely/very worried about coronavirus is one of those measures. We are almost as worried about the pandemic, as we were in March.

Canadians sense this growing fear themselves too. Similar to what we saw in March, the number of Canadians that are increasingly worried about the pandemic, outpaces those who are becoming less worried.

If these fears start to spur concerns about the food system like they did in March, then we will likely be back to long lines at the supermarket, and finding shelves cleared out of flour and macaroni.

ABOUT ABACUS DATA

We are the only research and strategy firm that helps organizations respond to the disruptive risks and opportunities in a world where demographics and technology are changing more quickly than ever.

Find out more about what we are doing to help clients respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail and exceptional value.

We were one of the most accurate pollsters conducting research during the 2019 Canadian Election.

Contact us with any questions.

Find out more about how we can help your organization by downloading our corporate profile and service offering.

METHODOLOGY

This release uses results from three separate surveys.

The first survey was conducted with 2,300 residents of Canada aged 18 and older from March 19 to 24, 2020.  The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 2.0% 19 times out of 20.

The second survey was conducted with 3,000 residents of Canada aged 18 and older from April 2 to 7, 2020.  The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 1.79% 19 times out of 20.

The third survey was conducted with 2,000 residents of Canada aged 18 and older from October 8 to 12, 2020.  The margin of error for a comparable probability-based random sample of the same size is +/- 2.17% 19 times out of 20.

All three surveys used a random sample of panelists were invited to complete the survey from a set of partner panels based on the Lucid exchange platform. These partners are typically double opt-in survey panels, blended to manage out potential skews in the data from a single source.

The data in each survey were weighted according to census data to ensure that the sample matched Canada’s population according to age, gender, educational attainment, and region. Totals may not add up to 100 due to rounding.