Two in Three (66%) Canadians Satisfied with Federal Government’s Approach to Securing COVID-19 Vaccines for Canadians
Toronto, ON, December 4, 2020 – The majority of Canadians are satisfied with the federal government’s approach to securing COVID-19 vaccines for Canada, but most believe more can be done amid concerns that the distribution of the vaccine in Canada will be too slow to stop the rapid growth in COVID-19 cases, according to a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Global News. Canadians appear to have adopted a wait and see approach for now. While they are open to what the Federal Government has said, they are waiting to see what this means for the timing of the roll out. If we trail other countries by a considerable period of time this has the potential to change opinions.
Two in three (66%) are satisfied (15% strongly/51% somewhat) with the job the federal government has been doing to secure COVID-19 vaccines for Canadians. Conversely, one in three (34%) are not satisfied (10% strongly/24% somewhat) with the government’s approach. Satisfaction is highest by far in Atlantic Canada (85%), followed by Quebec (70%), Ontario (65%), British Columbia (63%), and Alberta (59%) and finally Saskatchewan and Manitoba (49%).
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recently said that, despite having tens of millions of COVID-19 vaccines on order with various pharmaceutical companies, since Canada doesn't have any domestic production for vaccines, Canadians may need to wait until countries with domestic vaccine production capabilities vaccinate their citizens first before Canada receives the doses it has ordered. This message from the Prime Minister has clearly concerned Canadians:
- Eight in ten (79%) agree (32% strongly/47% somewhat) that Canada could be doing more to secure a vaccine for Canada sooner. This sentiment is strongest in Alberta (87%).
- Three quarters (74%) agree (24% strongly/50% somewhat) that they’re worried that the public distribution of a vaccine in Canada could be too slow to stop a much greater spread of COVID-19. Women (78%) are significantly more likely to be worried than men (69%).
- Nine in ten (92%) agree – with 51% agreeing strongly vs. 41% somewhat agreeing – that Canada needs to have its own vaccine production capabilities. Ontarians (95%) are most inclined to agree that the country needs its own production capabilities. Those aged 18-34 are less likely (82%) than Canadians aged 35-54 (94%) or 55+ (97%) to believe that Canada needs to have its own vaccine production capabilities.
- This position is likely informed by the belief among 86% that it is perfectly reasonable that countries with vaccine production capabilities will vaccinate their citizens first.
All in all, given that Canada doesn’t have its own vaccine production capabilities, nearly two in three (63%) agree (14% strongly/49% somewhat) that the federal government is doing the best that can be expected in managing vaccines for Canadians. Canadians are divided by region: Quebecers (77%) are the most likely to believe that the federal government is doing the best that can be expected, while those in Atlantic Canada (72%), British Columbia (63%), Ontario (61%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (48%) and Alberta (43%) are less likely to agree.
But Canadians are emphatic that lessons need to be learned from this: a consensus has emerged among 93% of Canadians (51% strongly agree/42% somewhat agree) that the federal and provincial governments need to start planning today to make sure that Canada is prepared for the next pandemic by ensuring we have companies in Canada who make PPE, medical equipment and vaccines. Nearly all (98%) Canadians aged 55+ hold this position.
About the Study
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between November 27 to December 1, 2020, on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,003 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed online. 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
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP
