Survey Finds 1 in 3 Canadians Believe Government’s Response to COVID Pandemic was an Overreaction
According to a recent Leger survey, over one-third of Canadians believe that the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was exaggerated, while half of the country thinks the measures taken were appropriate.
The survey revealed that 36 percent of respondents perceived the government’s reaction to COVID as exaggerated. Approximately 50 percent believed that Ottawa’s response was not excessive, while 13 percent chose not to respond to the question.
Individuals aged between 35 and 54 were more likely to view the government’s actions as exaggerated, with 42 percent holding this opinion. On the other hand, those over 55 were less inclined to think that the government overreacted.
Residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba were the most likely to feel that the government’s response was exaggerated, with 47 percent in Alberta and 45 percent in Saskatchewan and Manitoba sharing this sentiment.
Compared to other regions, Ontario residents were less likely to believe that the government overreacted during the pandemic, with only 31 percent thinking the government’s response was exaggerated. In Atlantic Canada, B.C., and Quebec, the percentages were 39 percent, 38 percent, and 35 percent, respectively.
When asked if they contracted COVID during the pandemic, 53 percent answered affirmatively, while 41 percent said no.
Throughout the pandemic, provinces enforced various lockdown measures, and both provincial and federal governments implemented vaccine mandates.
Views on Vaccination
Regarding vaccines, 84 percent of respondents stated that they had been vaccinated before 2023, while 11 percent had not.
Fifteen percent expressed regret over their decision to get vaccinated, while 71 percent had no regrets.
Individuals aged 18 to 34 were the most likely to regret getting vaccinated (21 percent), in contrast to only 10 percent of those aged 55 and above.
Of those surveyed, 48 percent indicated that they did not plan on getting vaccinated this year, while 41 percent had received or were planning to receive the vaccine in 2024.
Older Canadians were more inclined to get vaccinated this year, with 57 percent of those aged 55 and above stating that they had already been vaccinated or intended to do so. Individuals aged 18 to 34 were the least likely to get vaccinated this year, with only 26 percent reporting that they had received or would receive the vaccine.