· During this process, residents are committed to ensuring safe practices in public spaces.
· A majority of (59%) Canadian residents feel the speed of re-opening businesses/services in the country is just about right, while one-third (33%) indicate it’s too fast, and fewer than ten percent (8%) feel it’s too slow. Those in Ontario are more likely to feel businesses and services are opening too fast.
· Despite the prolonged period of social distancing, as businesses and services start to re-open, Canadians are largely committed to continuing safe practices in public spaces, such as keeping six feet apart, refraining from entering anyone else’s home, and wearing a mask.
SPEED OF RE-OPENING BUSINESSES/SERVICES
Across the country, provinces are re-opening businesses and services at different paces. To gauge the perceptions of this, Canadian residents were asked to describe the speed of re-opening in their province. Overall results indicate that six in ten Canadians believe the speed of re-opening businesses and services is just about right (59%), while one-third indicate society is re-opening too fast (33%), and fewer than ten percent believe things are re-opening too slowly (8%). Across regions, Ontario residents are more likely to indicate their province is opening too fast (41%), compared to their counterparts in other parts of the country. Across BC, the Prairies, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, results are fairly consistent, with the majority of residents feeling the pace of re-opening is just about right. Looking specifically at provinces in Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador shows widespread agreement that the pace of re-opening is just about right (80%).
Interestingly, younger residents are more cautious, with Canadians under 34 years being more likely to believe their province is re-opening too rapidly, compared with their older counterparts.
LIKELIHOOD OF UNDERTAKING PROTECTIVE MEASURES AS BUSINESSESS AND SERVICES RE-OPEN
As businesses and services begin to re-open, Canadians were asked their likelihood of undertaking a series of social distancing measures. Results indicate that Canadians will continue to prioritize safety when outside of their home. Indeed, nearly all Canadians express some likelihood of staying at least six feet away from anyone, except those with whom they are permitted to socialize (96%). Additionally, the vast majority of Canadians will definitely or probably refrain from entering anyone else’s home except their own or those with whom they are permitted to socialize (86%). Canadians are less committed to wearing a mask in public, although three-quarters indicate they will definitely or probably do so. Most Canadians (60%) do not anticipate wearing gloves in public, as businesses and services re-open, although four in ten express some likelihood to do so.Although all regions show a high likelihood of undertaking three of the four measures, provinces with larger populations have a slightly higher willingness. Indeed, BC (80%), Ontario (79%), and Quebec (78%) residents expressed some likelihood that they will wear a mask in public as businesses and services re-open in their province. Additionally, Ontario residents are more inclined to indicate that they will definitely refrain from entering anyone else’s home except their own or those with whom they are permitted to socialize, as well as wear gloves in public.
Likelihood of wearing gloves in public decreases with age, despite the elevated concern for older residents. Canadians under 35 years of age are also the most likely to wear a mask in public.
Watch for further details on Canadians’ perceptions and behaviours related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This survey was conducted online from May 27 to 29, 2020, with 1,230 Canadians 18 years of age or older, from the Logit Group’s COVID-19 Canadian Omnibus. Fielding every two weeks, the Logit Group’s COVID-19 Omnibus surveys sample Canadians to ask about their opinions and behaviours related to the pandemic. Results were analyzed by Narrative Research. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect these population characteristics in each province. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
Narrative Research, (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is one of Canada’s leading public opinion and market research companies. As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned, research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.
The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented.
Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative and @LogitGroup
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For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research – 902.222.7066, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
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Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
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Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
