- Canadians are most likely to return to work, if possible, in the coming weeks and months. In contrast, Canadians are least likely to take a flight or send their children to daycare.
- Although there is some uncertainty around what it would take for Canadians to be more likely to undertake certain activities in the coming months, having a sustained period of no new cases of COVID-19 in their province is an overall theme of importance, along with a vaccine becoming available.
May 26, 2020
LIKELIHOOD OF UNDERTAKING ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS
Given the impact COVID-19 has had on routine in-person activities, Canadians were asked their likelihood of undertaking a series of activities in the coming weeks and months, if possible. Results show that Canadian residents are most likely to return to work (51%), while one-third of Canadians indicated they would be likely to visit the dentist for a routine cleaning/procedure (33%), and two in ten Canadians would visit a physiotherapist/ chiropractor (21%). Canadians indicated that given the opportunity, they would be less likely to send children to school (15%) or take a taxi/Uber/Lyft (15%), take a flight (13%), or send children to daycare (12%). Indeed, the majority of Canadian residents are unlikely to undertake any of those four activities.
Perhaps not surprisingly, likelihood of undertaking a health-related visit increases with age. Indeed, those 35 years of age or over are slightly more likely to indicate in the coming weeks and months that they would visit the dentist or a physiotherapist/chiropractor. Across regions, Canadians are fairly consistent in their opinions on likelihood of undertaking activities. Interestingly, BC and Ontario residents indicate a lower likelihood of returning to work compared to their counterparts in other parts of the country.
WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE UNDERTAKING ACTIVITIES MORE LIKELY
Canadians with a low likelihood of undertaking any of these seven activities were asked what would make them more likely to do so. Results show that there is some uncertainty around what it would take to have them feel comfortable, but it will be crucial to have a sustained period of no new cases of COVID-19 in their province, and in some cases having a vaccine available. Thirty percent of those with a low likelihood of sending their children to school indicate having no new cases of COVID-19 would increase their likelihood of sending their children to school. Roughly one-quarter of Canadian residents with a low likelihood indicate the same for going to work (23%) and visiting the dentist (25%), and slightly fewer residents indicate the same for sending their child to daycare (21%), taking a taxi/Uber/Lyft (19%), and visiting a physiotherapist/chiropractor (19%). Four in ten Canadians with a low likelihood of taking a flight would require having a vaccine available (39%) to increase their likelihood of that activity. Additionally, the highest levels of uncertainty concern taking a taxi/Uber/Lyft (29%), sending children to daycare (25%),and visiting a physiotherapist/chiropractor (24%).
Across regions there is widespread agreement that having a sustained period of no new cases of COVID-19 in their province will increase their likelihood of undertaking certain activities. Atlantic Canadians and those aged 18-24 are more likely to indicate having a vaccine available will increase their likelihood of taking a flight, compared to their counterparts.
This is the first of two research summaries that will be provided within the week. Watch for further details on Canadians’ perceptions and behaviours related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This survey was conducted online from May 13 to 15, 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 (M), mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca,
OR
Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048 (M), mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116 (M), sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
