As governments across Canada implement strict lockdown measures in an attempt to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, a new poll indicates an increasing number of Canadians oppose lockdowns.
According to an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Global News, while the majority (56%) of Canadians agree that another lockdown is needed, the number of people that support strict public health measures is dwindling.
“Although a majority still support lockdown measures, support is dropping,” Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker writes.
“In July of 2021, 69% said they would support more lockdown measures if a fourth wave of the pandemic arose, which dropped to 63% in September, and is now just 56% now that the Omicron wave is upon us.”
The poll also reveals that the majority of Canadians disapprove of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handling of the pandemic. According to Ipsos, 51% of Canadians either strongly or somewhat disapprove of Trudeau’s performance.
“Compared to May of 2021, the Prime Minister’s COVID-specific approval rating is down by 5 points to 49%,” writes Bricker.
In comparison, Canadians have a more positive opinion of Canada’s chief officer of health Dr. Theresa Tam (64%) and US President Joe Biden (58%).
The latest Ipsos poll comes at a time when governments are enforcing stricter health measures in light of a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.
In Quebec, venues such as bars, cinemas, gyms and spas will be forced to shut down after 5pm, and residents who deemed “non-essential employees” will be required to work from home.
In Ontario, the government is mandating a 50% capacity limit for indoor public settings and reducing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
According to a report by Statistics Canada in July 2021, the consequences of government-enforced lockdowns killed more Canadians under the age of 65 than the COVID-19 virus itself.
In a report titled “Provisional death counts and excess mortality,” the government agency reviewed the number of deaths between January 2020 and April 2021 and concluded that 5,535 Canadians under the age of 65 died because of “indirect consequences” due to the pandemic.
Over the same time period, 1380 Canadians in the same age group died from COVID-19 itself.
