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
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.