Coutts border crossing. (Canada Border Services Agency)

By David Opinko

Majority of Canadians feel 3/4 should be fully vaccinated before U.S. border opens

Jul 16, 2021 | 11:14 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new poll from the Angus Reid Institute gives new insights into how Canadians feel about the current state of the pandemic, how it has been handled in Ottawa, and when the international border should reopen.

They polled 2,040 Canadian adults between July 9-13 using an online survey.

38 per cent of respondents feel the Canada-U.S. land border should reopen when more than 75 per cent of Canadians have been fully vaccinated, while another 31 per cent say an even three-quarters is a fair level.

22 per cent want the border to open up immediately. Among Albertans, that answer was given by nearly double that percentage (42 per cent), by far the most out of all included jurisdictions.

Feelings about the border reflect changing perceptions of the pandemic.

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In the newest round of polling, 47 per cent expressed “total concern” over contracting COVID-19, compared to 71 per cent back in January. Women and older demographics had higher levels of concern.

When it comes to people getting sick and dying as a result of the virus, 88 per cent believe the “worst is over,” and 72 per cent thought the same about the economic hardships of the pandemic.

Half of respondents said in July 2021 that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has done a good job at handling the pandemic. That number has risen from this spring but is still lower than at this time last year.

It should go without saying that Liberal supporters have far more confidence in Trudeau’s handling of the pandemic than Conservative voters (85 per cent vs. 13 per cent respectively).

Albertans had the lowest level of faith in the prime minister when it comes to COVID while those in Eastern Canada, such as Quebec and the Atlantic provinces were more favourable.

The full survey results from the Angus Reid Institute can be found here.

(Supplied by Angus Reid Institute)

(Supplied by Angus Reid Institute)

(Supplied by Angus Reid Institute)

(Supplied by Angus Reid Institute)

(Supplied by Angus Reid Institute)

(Supplied by Angus Reid Institute)