Satisfaction with the federal government fell by seven points since December, while Quebec experienced a 17-point drop.
Vancouver, BC [February 4, 2022] – Fewer Canadians are content with the way various levels of government are dealing with COVID-19, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, 56% of Canadians are satisfied with the way the federal government has managed the pandemic, down seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in December 2021.
Fewer Canadians are also content with the way municipal governments (57%, -7) and provincial governments (51%, -11) are handling COVID-19.
Satisfaction with the performance of the provincial administration fell drastically in Quebec, from 72% in December to 55% in late January. The numbers also declined in three other provinces: from 68% to 60% in British Columbia, from 56% to 51% in Ontario, and from 42% to 33% in Alberta.
More than two-in-five Canadians (44%) believe the measures that are in place in their province to deal with COVID-19 are correct for the situation, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2021. In addition, 27% (-2) think the measures do not go far enough and 23% (+4) say they go too far.
“In Quebec, where the government hinted at taxing the unvaccinated, 34% of residents believe the COVID-19 measures go too far,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In Alberta, 42% of residents think their provincial administration has not done enough.”
Compared to May 2021, fewer Canadians endorse their provincial governments on specific competencies. Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians trust their provincial administration to respond to a natural disaster (57%, -3), establish public health guidelines (55%, -3), release accurate information (53%, -8), release complete information (51%, -5) and ensure the sustainability of the health care system (50%, -5). Even fewer Canadians have confidence in their provincial governments to spend tax dollars wisely (38%, -5).
Sizeable proportions of Canadians both consider COVID-19 as a real threat (85%, =) and support requiring all customers or visitors entering an indoor premise to wear a mask or face covering while inside (84%, +1). In addition, just under three-in-four (72%, -4) acknowledge wearing a mask every time they go out.
Just over three-in-five Canadians (61%, -8) agree with the decision to allow K-12 students to go back to in-class learning in their province. Support for this measure is highest in British Columbia, Quebec and Atlantic Canada (each at 63%).
Just over half of Canadians (52%, +5) think the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is “behind us”, while 29% (-4) believe it is still “ahead of us.”
The concept of “vaccine passports” continues to be backed by majorities of Canadians for travel abroad (70%, -3), to a different province (68%, -3) and within the same province (62%, -2).
Practically two thirds of Canadians also think it is a good idea to rely on “vaccine passports” to go to live sporting events (69%, -2), visit a gym or fitness facility (68%, -3), go to live concerts (also 68%, -3), go to the cinema or theater (67% -5) or work at an office (65%, -3).
Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from January 28 to January 30, 2022, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Find our data tables here and download the press release here.
For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca