Canadians optimistic about this year’s holidays, but still plan to take precautions: poll

The Ipsos poll conducted for Global News found a majority of Canadians will gather with family and friends, but many will be asking for their vaccination status.

A majority of Canadians feel the second holiday season spent under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic will be better than the first, a new poll suggests — though many will still be taking steps to keep themselves safe.

The Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found 66 per cent of people who responded were optimistic about the coming holidays compared to 2020, though only 44 per cent said this season will feel “normal” again.

The optimism may be linked to people’s willingness to gather with family and friends again. But while the poll suggests seven out of 10 Canadians will open their homes to loved ones this year, it also shows Canadians are taking precautions: 54 per cent said they will ask people about their vaccination status before allowing them inside.

“What this is showing is that people are enthusiastic because they feel more confident in their ability to manage their environment and to manage people coming in and out of their homes, mainly due to vaccines,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs.

There’s also a divide among Canadians who want to see more friends and family: 33 per cent said they will do so freely without capacity limits, while 38 per cent said they will only get together with extended family members.

As for what those larger groups will get up to, only 36 per cent agreed they are ready to let loose with their usual holiday traditions this year.

That number fell to 21 per cent among older Canadians aged 55 and over, 70 per cent of whom also said they will ask their family and friends about their vaccination status.

The poll surveyed over 1,000 Canadians from across the country online earlier this month.