B.C.'s virus response gets higher marks than Ottawa's
British Columbians hold largely positive views about the way the provincial government is managing COVID-19 and they show strong support for the key health officials in this province leading our fight against the virus.
But they're much less supportive of the virus-related decisions made by federal leaders like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, according to a recent Leger survey on government actions and restrictions on COVID-19.
The survey, conducted for Postmedia, was taken Dec. 2 to 4. By that time, B.C. residents had been placed under strict social restrictions and asked to avoid travel in and out of the Lower Mainland.
Respondents were asked how they felt about such restrictions, and just 10 per cent felt they'd gone too far. About 60 per cent of people thought the restrictions were fine as they were and 28 per cent wanted to see them tightened up even further.
Respondents generally blamed other people, rather than the government, for the spread of COVID-19. About 84 per cent said individuals were not following restrictions closely enough, while 67 per cent said the government wasn't enforcing them enough.
Respondents showed strong support for decisions made by provincial health officer Bonnie Henry.
About 79 per cent said they supported Henry's record, compared to just 12 per cent who did not. Receiving similarly high support was Adrian Dix, B.C.'s health minister. His efforts were approved of by 72 per cent of respondents, but not supported by 10 per cent.
In contrast, 61 per cent of respondents supported the work of Trudeau on COVID-19 and another 21 per cent did not. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, fared slightly better than the prime minister, with 65 per cent support. About 16 per cent did not support her efforts.
Most people said they were clear on what B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions were (63 per cent), but 28 per cent found them unclear. That latter group was also more likely not to support more extreme COVID-19 restrictions, the results showed.
Respondents showed strong approval of rules around wearing masks (69 per cent said the rules were fine as is), while fewer people were convinced about restrictions on non-essential travel (58 per cent), participating in athletic activities (56 per cent) and gathering at restaurants, pubs and bars (54 per cent).
Holiday plans have changed dramatically this year, the survey showed. The vast majority (91 per cent) of respondents expected to attend fewer Christmas parties this year than last, and 84 per cent said they would travel less than last year. Also way down are plans to visit a holiday event or venue or attend a religious service.
Just five per cent of respondents said they planned to gather with extended family or friends as an exception to COVID-19 rules. The majority (60 per cent) said they would gather only with their immediate household, and 33 per cent planned to visit only with people in their bubble. About 16 per cent said they would remain alone.
Despite that planned behaviour, the vast majority of respondents said they expect to see a post-Christmas spike, and many (65 per cent) said it would be a big one.
Leger surveyed just over 1,000 B.C. residents. The results were weighted by age, gender and region for a representative sample of the province's population. It was a non-probability sample, but for the sake of comparison, a probability sample of that size would carry a margin of error of 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20, according to the pollster.
COVID-19 rules in B.C. now bar any events or social gatherings, with just a few exceptions, until Jan. 8, 2021. Masks must be worn in most public indoor settings, and fines can be levied against those who flout that rule. All non-essential travel is discouraged.