Canadians Support Border Opening By Summer, Poll Says

Canadians believe the U.S. border should open this summer. They also don't think hotel quarantines and 14-day home quarantines are necessary for travellers with proof of vaccination against COVID-19. And they're strong in favour of programs that would require travellers to prove they've been vaccinated.

A study released by Angus Reid found that only 31% of Canadians believe a three-day stay at a government-approved hotel is necessary for travellers who arrive with proof of vaccination. Forty eight per cent of Canadians said they think quarantining at home for 14 days is a necessary measure for those who can show vaccination proof.

Asked if they thought a 14-day quarantine is needed for folks without vaccination proof, 80% of respondents said yes. Asked if they thought a three-day hotel quarantine was needed for travellers without proof of vaccination, only 52% said yes.

The study also indicated a softening of Canadian attitudes toward the U.S. border. The survey, which took place before the government announced the border closure would be extended to June 21, found that 52% of Canadians felt the border should open to non-essential travel until after May 21 or "until summer." Twenty seven per cent of those surveyed said the border should stay closed until "closer to fall," while 21% of Canadians said to keep the border closed until the end of 2021.

Those numbers take a sharp turn if travellers are asked the questions, instead of ordinary Canadians who might not travel much. Among folks who took six or more trips out of the country between January 2018 and January 2020, 64% said the border should open in May or in summer, while 23% said to keep it closed until fall and 12% voiced support for a closure until the end of the year.

Angus Reid also found very solid support for vaccination certificates in Canada. Asked if such certificates should be mandatory for Canadians travelling internationally (excluding the U.S.), a remarkable 79% of those surveyed said "yes," while just 18% said no. Asked if such a program should be mandatory for travel to the U.S. 76% said yes and 21% said no.

Asked if proof of vaccination should be required for people to attend a large public event such as a concert, 69% of Canadians said "yes" and 29% said "no."

Asked if such a ceritificate should be mandatory for public places in the community, such as restaurants, movie theatres, churches and malls, 55% said "yes" and 41% said "no."

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