An increased focus on supporting local was considered the primary silver lining of 2020.
HALIFAX, January 19th, 2021
During 2020, the global pandemic had both negative and positive effects on the lives of Atlantic Canadians. Results indicate that social and travel restrictions were the two primary factors that negatively impacted life in 2020. Over one-half of Atlantic Canadians report that the pandemic negatively impacted their ability to gather socially, while the same portion of residents mention it has negatively impacted their ability to travel. By contrast, far fewer felt a negative effect in the form of a loss of income or employment. Across the population, higher income earners are most likely to be negatively impacted by travel restrictions, while lower-income earners are more likely to have experienced loss of job or income.
Across the region, residents of PEI are most likely to report being negatively impacted by travel restrictions compared to residents of the other three Atlantic provinces. Those in PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador are less likely to be negatively impacted by social restrictions compared to residents of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Despite the negative impacts of the pandemic, virtually all Atlantic Canadians (96%) recognize that there were silver linings of the pandemic in 2020. Most commonly, residents mentioned the increased focus on supporting local (46%), while roughly one-quarter mention meeting with health professionals online instead of in-person, connecting with family members, and coming together as a community. For two in ten residents, working from home was considered a silver lining, while fewer mentioned making connections with people online, learning to cook/bake different foods, or getting a new pet. Positively, only four percent mentioned they didn’t find any silver linings last year.
By province, residents of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are most likely to mention the increased focus on supporting local. However, Prince Edward Islanders are less likely to mention meeting with health professionals online instead of in-person.
Additionally, females are more likely than males to mention the increased focus on supporting local and meeting with health professionals online as positives.
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. Visit EastCoastVoice.ca to join Atlantic Canada’s largest panel, and share your opinions.
This survey was conducted from January 4, 2021 – January 10, 2021 with 2,512 Atlantic Canadians from Narrative Research’s online panel, East Coast Voice. 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.
For more information, contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO & Partner: 902.493.3830 (W); 902.222.7066 (M), mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner: 902.493.3834 (W); 902.222.4048 (M), mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
