Canadians’ concern over COVID-19 has waned — and so has their drive to get vaccinated: poll

A majority of Canadians remained concerned about COVID-19, however Canadians’ anxieties toward the virus have softened and vary depending on age, according to a new poll.

A majority of Canadians remain concerned about COVID-19, however, their anxieties toward the virus have softened and vary depending on age, according to a new poll.

The Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News between Dec. 14 and 16, 2022, found 61 per cent of the 1,004 adults surveyed indicated that COVID-19 is a concern and 70 per cent disagreed with the notion the virus “is not a big deal.”

However, a clear consensus that once existed among Canadians supporting strong public health measures and showing high levels of concern appears to have softened, says Ipsos senior vice-president Sean Simpson.

“What’s really interesting about the evolution of this disease and public opinion on the disease is two years ago, there was pretty well a consensus in Canada: COVID was a concern. There was very strong support for mandatory vaccinations, for restrictions on travel, et cetera,” he said.

“Now that we’re almost nearing the three-year mark, we have nothing close to a consensus and we can’t even necessarily agree that it is an ongoing concern.”

Two years ago, Simpson says levels of anxiety about the virus and support for public health measures all had levels of support in the 80 to 90 per cent range.

Now, with just over 60 per cent of Canadians indicating the virus as a concern and just under 40 per cent saying it isn’t, Canadians have become “increasingly divided on the issue of COVID-19,” Simpson said.

Older Canadians were more likely to indicate feelings of concern over the virus, with three-quarters of those 55 and over saying they’re worried, while 57 per cent of those 35 to 54 agreed and 50 per cent of 18- to-34-year-olds said they were concerned.