The perceptions of Canadians on the future of COVID-19 are now better than at any other moment of the pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, 72% of Canadians think the worst of COVID-19 is “behind us”, up 20 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in January 2022. Only 15% of Canadians (-14) believe the worst of the pandemic is “ahead of us” while 14% (-6) are not sure.
“There is a remarkable regional consistency in the way Canadians are looking at the pandemic,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Practically seven-in-ten residents of each province believe that the worst of COVID-19 is now behind us.”
Across Canada, 81% of residents (-4) believe COVID-19 is a real threat—a proportion that rises to 86% among those aged 55 and over. Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, +5) are satisfied with the way the federal government has dealt with COVID-19. The rating is slightly lower for municipal governments (60%, +3) and provincial governments (56%, +6) across the country.
This month, the governments of Quebec (63%, +8) and British Columbia (also 63%, +3) post the highest satisfaction levels across the four most populous Canadian provinces, followed by Ontario (57%, +6) and Alberta (37%, +4).
More than three-in-five Canadians (63%) are satisfied with the way the federal chief public health officer has managed the COVID-19 pandemic, and 61% feel the same way about their provincial health officer or chief medical officer.
Majorities of residents of Quebec (63%), British Columbia (also 63%), Ontario (61%) and Alberta (53%) are content with the performance of their provincial health officer or chief medical officer.
Just over two thirds of Canadians (68%) say they are wearing a mask every time they go out, including 76% of those aged 55 and over.
More than seven-in-ten residents of Atlantic Canada (73%), Ontario (72%) and Quebec (71%) acknowledge wearing a mask every time they go out. The proportion is lower in British Columbia (62%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (60%) and Alberta (57%).
