Half (52%) of Canadians Agree Government Should Enact a Tax on Unvaccinated People

Toronto, ON, January 24, 2022 – With the recent announcement that Quebec will be imposing a health tax on unvaccinated people, who account for a large proportion of COVID-19 hospitalizations, a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Global News reveals that this measure is divisive across the country - half (52%) of Canadians agree (25% strongly/27% somewhat) that the government should enact a tax on unvaccinated people, whereas another half (48%) disagree with this measure. Those aged 55+, who are more likely to have negative health effects from COVID-19, are more likely to be in support of this measure compared to other age groups (58% 55+, 47% 18-34, 50% 35-54).

Regionally, those in Saskatchewan/Manitoba and Quebec are more likely to agree that the government should enact a tax on unvaccinated people (59% SK/MB, 58% Quebec, 53% BC, 52% Atlantic Provinces, 49% Ontario, 44% Alberta).

As restrictions remain in place across the country and elective surgeries continue to be postponed, it is perhaps unsurprising that Canadians want further restrictions specifically for unvaccinated people. A majority (67%) agree (36% strongly/31% somewhat) that government should enact further restrictions on unvaccinated people.

Men (72% vs 62% women), those aged 55+ (77%, 58% 18-34, 64% 35-54), and those with a university education (76% Univ Grad, 69% HS, 53% <HS, 64% Post Sec) are more likely to agree that the government should enact further restrictions on those who are unvaccinated. Regionally, those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are more likely to agree (77% SK/MB vs. 76% Atlantic Provinces, 67% Quebec, 67% Alberta, 64% BC, 64% Ontario).

If people want to remain unvaccinated, half (51%) of Canadians agree (21% strongly/31% somewhat) that we should provide other ways to accommodate them through testing and other measures. Younger Canadians (59% 18-34, 53% 35-54 vs 44% 55+) and those who have less than a high school education (68% <HS, 53% HS, 47% Post Sec, 44% Univ Grad) are more likely to agree that we should provide other ways to accommodate those who remain unvaccinated. There is no regional difference, meaning that this remains an equally-controversial issues across the country.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following:

% Strongly/Somewhat Agree

One in five (21%) Say They Would End Their Friendship with Someone Who Does Not Share Their Views on Vaccination

Feelings of anger and frustration have grown towards unvaccinated people, and Canadians are expressing these sentiments through personal choices. One in five (21%) say they would end their friendship with someone who does not share their views on vaccination. Men (25% vs 17% women) and younger Canadians (28% 18-34, 17% 35-54, 20% 55+) are more likely to end a friendship due to their vaccination frustration.

As we near year three of the pandemic, half (49%) blame those who are unvaccinated for the pandemic not being over. Men (55% vs 44% women) and those aged 55+ (55% 55+, 44% 18-34, 47% 35-54), and those with a university education (59% Univ Grad, 33% <HS, 49% HS, 49% Post Sec) are more likely to agree.

Canadians appear to be treating those who are vaccinated differently from those who are not – three quarters (73%) say they would welcome a vaccinated person into their home, no questions asked. On the flip side, slightly less than four in ten (36%) would do the same for an unvaccinated person. Slightly more (39%) would welcome in an unvaccinated person into their home if they took a rapid test, but most Canadians remain wary of letting an unvaccinated person into their home.

Those residing in Alberta, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces are more likely to agree that they would welcome an unvaccinated person into their home, no questions asked, compared to those residing in Ontario (46% Alberta, 44% Quebec, 41% Atlantic, 37% BC, 31% SK/MB, 28% Ontario).

Notably, over a quarter (28%) say they would not allow anyone into their home unless they took a rapid test. Men (32% vs 25% women) and older Canadians (32% 55+, 31% 35-54, 23% 18-34) are more likely to agree with this statement. Regionally, there is no difference.

It has been argued by some that taxing the unvaccinated is a slippery slope – if we tax unvaccinated, why not tax smokers of heavy drinkers, for example. Similar to half (52%) who agree that the government should enact a tax on unvaccinated people, a slim majority (52%) of Canadians also agree that those who are not vaccinated should pay a $100 user fee for each day they are hospitalized due to COVID-19. In fact, more Canadians are in favour of charging unvaccinated Canadians a per-day user fee at the hospital than those who are smokers (37%) and heavy alcohol drinkers (34%).

Once again, men (56% vs 48% women), older Canadians (58% 55+, 54% 35-54 vs 42% 18-34), and those with a university education (61% Univ Grad, 31% <HS, 49% HS, 57% Post Sec) are more likely to agree that those who are not vaccinated should pay a $100 user fee for each day they are hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Most Canadians (89%) say they have voluntarily shared their vaccination status with family, friends, co-workers, or their employer. Older Canadians are more likely to say they shared their vaccination status than younger Canadians (94% 55+ vs 86% 18-34, 86% 35-54).

Thinking about unvaccinated Canadians, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following:

About the Study

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between January 14-17, 2022, on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed. Quotas and weighting were employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ± 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadians aged 18+ been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Darrell Bricker
CEO, Ipsos Global Public Affairs
+1 416 324 2001
[email protected]

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