A new poll shows growing support for vaccine passports in British Columbia as the government prepares plans for this type of documentation.
According to the latest survey from the B.C.-based polling firm Research Co., 67 per cent of British Columbians are in favour of vaccine passports for attendance at live sporting events.
Research Co. says this is an increase of five points from when they asked a similar question in March 2021.
The number is similar for attendance at live concerts, with 66 per cent saying they are supportive for vaccine passports at these events.
A significantly larger number of older respondents are in support, with 74 per cent of British Columbians 55 and up in support of the documentation at concerts.
For other activities, the number decreases slightly: 63 per cent support vaccine passports for gyms or fitness facilities, as well as working in an office, and 62 per cent the passports for attending theatres or cinemas.
The highest level of support for vaccine passports is found when talking about interprovincial travel and for international travel.
69 per cent support vaccine passports for travel to other Canadian provinces, and 77 per cent support vaccine passports for travel to other countries.
As the Delta Variant leads to a spike in cases, people remain largely reluctant to attend a variety of activities as well.
28 per cent say they are currently willing to visit gyms or fitness facilities, 23 per cent willing to attend music venues, and only 20 per cent are interested in live sporting events.
“In spite of the high vaccination rates in British Columbia, residents of the province are not particularly prepared to attend crowded spaces,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.
“Only 29% of those aged 18-to-34 are willing to go to a concert or dance right now.”
Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from August 19 to August 21, 2021, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
