Atlantic Canadians are steadfast in their strong opposition to opening the Canada / US border in the near future.
HALIFAX, October 9, 2020
With return-to-school having proven successful in the region in terms of experiencing minimal to no new COVID cases, we asked Atlantic Canadians their opinions of removing travel restrictions, whereby a 14-day quarantine period would no longer be required for those travelling from the rest of Canada.
Perhaps given the limited number of cases in the region, findings show that Atlantic Canadians have become more determined in their opposition to lifting travel restrictions. Indeed, eight in ten Atlantic Canadians now express some level of opposition to removing the 14-day quarantine period (up from 77% in early August). A more notable change is evident when considering the level of opposition indicated, whereby Atlantic Canadians are now more likely to completely oppose (57% vs. 42%) lifting travel restrictions.
This increased resolve is undoubtedly linked to the resurgence of positive cases in multiple Canadian provinces, as the country moves into an apparent second COVID-19 wave.
Although the vast majority of Atlantic Canadians oppose lifting travel restrictions to those living in the rest of Canada, New Brunswickers are slightly less likely to be in opposition (NB: 76%; PE: 81%; NS: 83%; NL: 83%). Results are generally consistent across demographics.
“Atlantic Canadians continue to be uncomfortable with the anticipated risk associated with lifting travel restrictions to the region,“ said Margaret Brigley, CEO & Partner of Narrative Research. “With a safe return-to-school process across the region, and with a dramatic resurgence of cases in Quebec and Ontario, Atlantic Canadians have become stronger in their complete opposition to removing the 14-day quarantine. While our region continues to be in an enviable position compared to elsewhere in the country, findings suggest that residents are not confident that safety measures in place would protect us from a viral spread if travel restrictions were lifted.“
When it comes to reopening the Canadian border to the United States within the next month, Atlantic Canadians are steadfast in their opposition to the prospect. Little support for such an action is evident, and opposition is almost unanimous across 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. Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative.
This survey was conducted from September 24-29, 2020 with 1,911 Atlantic Canadians (NB: 571, PEI: 138, NS: 914, NL: 288) 18 years of age or older, from Narrative Research’s online panel, East Coast Voice. Using data from the 2016 Census, the results were weighted by gender, age, and region to reflect population characteristics.
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