Executive Summary - COVID-19 TRACKING SURVEY ON CANADIANS'VIEWS

2020-2021

Submitted to
Health Canada

Prepared by
Leger

Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français

Contract number: HT372-203161/001/CY
POR #037-20
Awarded 2020-09-17
Contract Value: $238,615.89
Delivery Date: 2022-02-01

Leger
507 Place d'Armes, Suite 700
Montréal, Québec
G1R 2K2
Phone: 514-982-2464
Fax: 514-987-1960

For more information on this report, please contact Health Canada at: hc.cpab.por-rop.dgcap.sc@canada.ca

COVID-19 TRACKING SURVEY ON CANADIANS' VIEWS

Executive summary

Prepared for Health Canada
Supplier Name: Leger Marketing Inc.
March 2020

This public opinion research report presents the technical aspects of a tracking survey online conducted by Leger Marketing Inc. on behalf of Health Canada. The research was conducted with Canadians 18 and over.

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre: Enquête de suivi concernant le point de vue des canadiens sur la COVID-19.

This publication may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes only. Prior written permission must be obtained from Health Canada. For more information on this report, please contact Health Canada at hc.cpab.por-rop.dgcap.sc@canada.ca or at:

Health Canada, CPAB
200 Eglantine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture
Jeanne Mance Building, AL 1915C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Catalogue Number:
H14-389/2021E-PDF

International Standard Book Number (ISBN):
978-0-660-41698-4

Related publications (registration number: POR 037-20):
Catalogue Number: H14-389/2021F-PDF (Final Report, French)
ISBN 978-0-660-41699-1

^©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Health, 2020.

1. Executive Summary

Leger is pleased to present the Government of Canada, Health Canada (HC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with this report on the methodology used for this study on health-related public opinion during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report was prepared by Leger who was contracted by Health Canada (contract number HT372-203161/001/CY awarded September 17, 2020).

1.1 Background and Objectives

To adequately respond to COVID-19, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have developed a set of measures to protect the public and minimize the health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic. This study was developed in response to the lack of targeted health-related public opinion information about the COVID-19 pandemic.

To that end, HC and PHAC implemented a study with multiple survey phases. This project made it possible to survey the opinions of the Canadian population and measure the evolution of behaviours several times over the course of a few months.

The study provided ongoing first-hand data that allowed HC and PHAC to develop effective communications and initiatives.

The objectives were to provide Health Canada and other governments with research-based information on Canadians' perceptions, knowledge and behaviours relating to COVID-19. This type of information was particularly useful to HC and PHAC in refining its communications campaigns and tools.

General objectives were established for all eight waves of the study. In addition, specific objectives for each wave were also established. The specific objectives of each wave are mentioned in the methodology section.

The general objectives were as follows:

• to measure changes in behaviours and attitudes over time;
• to understand Canadians' level of awareness, knowledge, concerns, behaviours and opinions on specific COVID-19 issues; and
• to test public education concepts and messages.

1.2 Data Collection

This study was conducted through a web-based survey of the Canadian population aged 18 and over who can speak English or French. The respondents were randomly selected through the Leo panel, Leger's panel.

Eight waves of studies were conducted for this research project as follow. Details on methodology for each wave are provided in the full methodological report.

The results of this survey are not statistically projectable to the target population because the sampling method used does not ensure that the sample represents the target population with a known margin of sampling error. Reported percentages are not generalizable to any group other than the sample studied, and therefore no formal statistical inferences can be drawn between the sample results and the broader target population it may be intended to reflect. Survey data are weighted to ensure that they replicate what the latest census would indicate in the composition of the adult population of Canada. Details regarding the weighting procedures and participation rate can be found in Appendix A.

1.3 Notes on the Interpretation of the Findings

The opinions and observations expressed in this document do not reflect those of the Government of Canada, Health Canada (HC) or the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). This report was compiled by Leger based on research conducted specifically for this project.

1.4 Declaration of Political Neutrality and Contact Information

I hereby certify, as chief agent of Leger, that the deliverables are in full compliance with the neutrality requirements of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity and the Directive on the Management of Communications - Appendix C (Appendix C: Mandatory Procedures for Public Opinion Research).

Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, party positions, or the assessment of the performance of a political party or its leaders.

Signed by:

Christian Bourque
Executive Vice President and Associate
Leger
507 Place d'Armes, Suite 700
Montréal, Quebec
H2Y 2W8
cbourque@leger360.com