As 4th wave drags on, more Canadians fear the worst of the pandemic is yet to come, poll finds
As Canadians grapple with the ongoing fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become less optimistic that the worst of the disease is behind them.
According to a new national poll from Research Co., 48 per cent of Canadians believe the worst of the pandemic is definitely or probably behind us. That's a decrease of 24 percentage points from July, when the pollster last asked the question.
The latest poll was conducted online on Sept. 18 and 19 among a representative sample of 1,000 Canadians, and claims a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Since July, the percentage of Canadians who say the worst of the pandemic is definitely or probably still to come has grown significantly, according to Research Co. More than a third of respondents (36 per cent) said the worst is still to come, up 21 points from the last time the question was asked.
Another 16 per cent were unsure whether the worst is over or still on the way.
B.C., ALBERTA AND ATLANTIC CANADA PARTICULARLY PESSIMISTIC
The poll's regional subsamples, which carry higher margins of error, suggest that anxiety over future pandemic waves is highest in B.C., Alberta and Atlantic Canada.
Alberta has been struggling with its highest rates of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care admissions during the fourth wave. On Tuesday, it set provincial records for both.
The province also has more than 20,000 active coronavirus cases, far more than anywhere else in Canada at the moment.
Against this backdrop, Albertans polled by Research Co. were more likely to say the worst of the pandemic is definitely or probably still to come (43 per cent did) than to say it's behind them (36 per cent). The remaining one-in-five were unsure.
British Columbians - whose province is also struggling with hospital capacity during the fourth wave - were more decisive than Albertans, but also more mixed in their perspectives.
Forty-five per cent of B.C. respondents told Research Co. that the worst of the pandemic is over, while 46 per cent said it's still to come. Only eight per cent were undecided.
Ontario and Quebec residents were less likely to think things will get worse, while residents of the Atlantic provinces were more so. Detailed tables from Research Co. can be found here.
AGE CORRELATES TO PANDEMIC PESSIMISM
Responses to the question of whether things will get worse before they get better also varied significantly by age.
Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of people ages 18 to 34 said the worst of the pandemic is over, while respondents in older age groups were less likely to feel this way. Among those 35 to 54, half (50 per cent) said the worst is over, while among those 55 and older, the total dropped to 39 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.