· In total, half of Canadians expect to travel this summer, either within their province or further afield.
· Fewer than half of Canadian residents will be taking a summer vacation within their province this summer. Only a quarter will take a driving vacation to another province in Canada, and fewer will fly to another province for vacation. One in ten intend to travel to the U.S.
·Two-thirds oppose reopening the Canada-U.S. border in July
July 2, 2020
As the summer begins, Canadian residents are hesitant to venture outside of their province for vacation, and fewer than half will take a vacation within their own province. Those in Ontario and the Prairie provinces are the least likely to take a vacation in their own province this summer, while half or more residents of BC, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces say they will either definitely or probably take a vacation in their province in the coming months. Of note, a quarter of Quebec residents, and two in ten residents of Atlantic Canada express definite intentions to vacation within their province, while residents in other provinces are more moderate in their intentions.
Looking ahead, Canadians are not likely to travel outside their province, assuming regulations allow it. Indeed, only a quarter say they are likely to any extent to vacation outside their home province by car this summer. Meanwhile, just over one in ten plans to fly to another province this summer, and a similar number plan to travel to the US. Younger residents (Millennials and Gen Z) are more likely to plan on either a plane trip, or a trip to the U.S. Residents of B.C. have the highest likelihood of travelling to the U.S. (16%), compared with one-in-ten or fewer residents of other provinces.
Those expressing some likelihood to vacation were asked how safe they would feel taking that vacation given the pandemic. Regardless of vacation-type, at least half of those choosing to travel feel some degree of safety in doing so, although safety levels vary by travel type. Results show higher perceived levels of safety expressed by those driving to another province, compared to either flying within Canada or travel to the U.S. This indicates that even among the small number of people intending to travel outside their province, there is some trepidation.
Given the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., it is perhaps unsurprising, that there is widespread opposition to the idea of reopening the Canada-U.S. border this month. Indeed, only a quarter support the reopening to any extent, and close to half completely oppose the notion. Opposition is highest in the Atlantic provinces (77%), and lowest in Quebec (60%). Regardless of age, the majority of Canadians voice opposition for re-opening the border in mid-July. That said, younger Canadians are more in favour of the border reopening compared with Gen Xers and Boomers.
This survey was conducted online June 24-25, 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 Canadians to ask their opinions and behaviours related to topical issues. 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
###
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO, Narrative Research – 902.222.7066, mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
