Despite Concerns About the Spread of Monkeypox (55%), Seven in Ten Canadians (67%) Confident Officials Can Contain It
Toronto, ON, June 17, 2022 – Following a trying few years navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of the monkeypox virus has presented yet another potential public health crisis across the international landscape. However, a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Global News finds that although half of Canadians express concern about the spread of monkeypox in Canada (55%, 14% strongly/41% somewhat), far more (67%, 15% strongly/52% somewhat) say they are confident that Canadian officials will be able to contain the spread of the virus in the country. The majority (66%, 10% strongly/56% somewhat) also agree that Canadian officials are working quickly enough to contain the spread of monkeypox in Canada.
Demographically, older Canadians both express the most concern about the spread of the virus in Canada (61% 55+ vs. 56% 18-34, 48% 35-54) and the highest confidence in Canadian officials to contain it (73% 55+ vs. 67% 35-54, 58% 18-34), as well as in officials’ ability to move quickly enough (72% 55+ vs. 66% 35-54, 58% 18-34). In addition, Quebecers are significantly more likely to feel Canadian officials are moving quickly enough (76% vs. 66% ON, 62% BC, 61% ATL, 58% SK/MB, 56% AB), perhaps a reflection of a rapid rollout of applicable vaccines following high case counts in the province. Albertans are significantly more likely to disagree that Canadian officials will be able to contain the spread of monkeypox (50%, vs. 37% SK/MB, 35% ON, 29% BC, 27% QC, 24% ATL) compared to those in other regions.
Two-thirds of Canadians (65%, 15% strongly, 51% somewhat) also trust that the World Health Organization (WHO) will be able to direct the international response to monkeypox. Again, older Canadians express the highest confidence in the WHO (72% 55+ vs. 62% 35-54, 60% 18-34) as do those in Atlantic Canada (77%) and Quebec (75%, vs. 68% SK/MB, 61% ON, 60% BC, 54% AB).
Although Canadians generally trust that Canadian and international public health officials will be able to manage the spread of monkeypox, four in ten (40%, 13% strongly/27% somewhat) agree that they are concerned about personally contracting the virus. This is higher among younger Canadians (48% 18-34 vs. 39% 35-54, 34% 55+), among whom one-quarter (24%) strongly agree.
Just under one-half (47%, 11% strongly/36% somewhat) of Canadians say they are closely following news about the spread of monkeypox in Canada. Given their level of concern, it is unsurprising that older Canadians (56%) are among those following the closest compared to younger Canadians (42% 35-54, 40% 18-34).
About the Study
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between June 9th to 13th, 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]
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.
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