- Conditions for support primarily include full vaccination rollouts, vaccinated travellers, and consistently low case counts.
April 19th, 2021
With summer months quickly approaching, we asked Atlantic Canadians how they feel about easing travel restrictions both within our region and beyond.
Atlantic Bubble
Atlantic Canadians clearly feel differently about loosening restrictions within the region than they do in the rest of the country and beyond. In fact, the vast majority of Atlantic Canadians (84%) support re-establishing the Atlantic Bubble. Only sixteen percent express some level of opposition to removing the 14-day quarantine period for anyone travelling within the four Atlantic provinces.
While Atlantic Canadians are generally consistent in their support for re-establishing the Atlantic Bubble, support is most pronounced in New Brunswick. That said, this survey was conducted just prior to the most recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick, and prior to the announcement of the decision to not reinstate the Atlantic Bubble in April.
All Provincial / Territorial Borders
Contrary to strong support for easing travel within the region, there is clear opposition among Atlantic Canadians to removing travel restrictions for travel within Canada during the summer months. Overall, two-thirds of residents (67%) oppose such an initiative, whereby a 14-day quarantine period would no longer be required when travelling from other parts of Canada. Only one-third of Atlantic Canadians support such an action. Results are consistent across regions and demographics.
Canada / US Border
More than a year has passed since the Canada / US border has been closed and results from our recent survey show that Atlantic Canadians are in no hurry to re-open it. In fact, there is strong opposition to re-opening the Canada / US border in the summer months, with over eight in ten (84%) residents expressing some level of opposition to the idea. By contrast, sixteen percent of residents support the concept of re-opening the border. This level of opposition has decreased slightly from results reported in August 2020 (when 95% opposed).
Opposition is strong across the region, although New Brunswick residents offer slightly lower scores (79%) compared to residents in Newfoundland and Labrador (87%).
Those voicing opposition were asked under what conditions they would support easing restrictions and removing a 14-day quarantine period. Conditions for support primarily include full vaccination rollouts, vaccinated travellers, and consistently low case counts. Other less commonly-mentioned conditions included having rapid testing available at airports or a sustained period of two weeks of no new cases in both countries.
“Results highlight that Atlantic Canadians recognize that our region is currently in a more enviable position in relation to COVID-19 than others, and they want to keep it that way,” said Margaret Brigley, Narrative Research’s CEO. “Despite economic and emotional stressors experienced across the region, residents clearly want these restrictions in place to protect the health and wellbeing of Atlantic Canadians. This puts great pressures on our governments to expedite vaccine roll out, and maintain the necessary precautions to ensure a sustained low case count.”
This survey was conducted from March 30, 2021 – April 7, 2021 with 2,782 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. Results were weighted to accurately reflect the population distribution in the region.
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.
The questions included in this release were the following:
- To what extent do you support or oppose re-establishing the Atlantic Bubble, whereby a 14-day quarantine period would not be required for anyone travelling within the four Atlantic Provinces?
- Under what conditions would you support opening the borders to all Atlantic Canadian provinces?
- To what extent do you support or oppose opening all provincial and territorial borders within Canada in the summer months, whereby a 14-day quarantine period would not be required for anyone travelling within Canada?
- Under what conditions would you support opening the borders to all Canadian provinces?
- To what extent do you support or oppose opening the Canadian border to the United States in the summer months?
- Under what conditions would you support opening the Canadian/US border?
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO & Partner: 902.493.3830 (W); 902.222.7066 (M), mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
Or
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner: 902.493.3834 (W); 902.222.4048 (M), mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
