63.3 Overall Score (down 14.4 since Aug 1st.)

Canada

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Data as of Mar 15

17.6 Public Health
Directives
60.8 Financial
Response
100 Fact-Based
Communication

17.6 Public Health
Directives
60.8 Financial
Response
100 Fact-Based
Communication

Canada has a relatively strong score, with poor public health policy countered by a continued reliance on fact-based communication.

Pre-COVID Conditions

Canada is relatively strong for its pre-pandemic capacity, as it has widely accessible universal healthcare, minimal inequality, and a very healthy population, but few hospital beds, particularly in comparison to other high-income countries, hurt its score.

Debt/GDP ratio 89.9%
GDP/capita $52,144
Gini coefficient (out of 100) 33.8
Infant mortality rate (out of 1,000 live births) 4
Healthcare access score (out of 100) 87.6
Hospital beds/1,000 People 19

Government Response

Select a data point for more information
(Data points represent policy level as of Mar 15.)

17.6

Public Health Directives

Canada's weak public health score is driven by weak testing policy, limited travel restrictions, poor contact tracing, and few emergency healthcare funds.

Stay at home order 2
Public gathering restrictions 4
School closings 3
Public event cancellations 2
Testing policy 2
Emergency healthcare investments/capita $88.76
Travel restrictions 4
Tests/1,000 people 688.8
Contact tracing 1

60.8

Financial Response

Canada offers comprehensive income support for workers, including seasonal workers and the unemployed, but debt forbearance is limited.

Financial stimulus as share of GDP 18.5%
Income support 2
Debt forebearance 1

100

Fact-Based Communication

Canada has prioritized clear, regular communication with the public, including regular briefings by Prime Minister Trudeau.

Reliance on science/fact based information 0
Press freedom 0

COVID-19 Status as of Mar 15

Canada’s current status for COVID-19 is relatively strong, with fairly low case and death rates and a fairly low positivity score, although it is reporting more positive tests than in the fall, which suggests that it is testing more sick patients than before.

Total deaths 3,166
Death rate per 100K 83.9
Total cases 918,406
Cases per 100K 30
Percent of positive tests 3.1
Change in positivity rates -5.3

Daily cases Level 1 Lockdown Level 2 Lockdown

Differentiating Factors

Canada did better than the U.S. against the coronavirus, but now it's lagging in vaccinations: While better coordination and a greater commitment to lockdowns and social distancing than the U.S. helped Canada's relative management of COVID-19, the country is now lagging behind the U.S. in vaccinations, which has administered a dose to more than four times as many people per capita. Read More
Why Canada is falling behind in COVID vaccinations: While Canada has reportedly signed deals with seven vaccine deals, delays in deliveries--particularly from EU manufacturers--reduced or cancelled orders, are limiting inoculations. The lack of domestic manufacturing facilities and fear of the (former) Trump limitations on vaccine exports led Canada to seek the majority of its supply from now strained EU manufacturers. Read More
World moves to embrace vaccine passports. Trudeau's not so sure: The push for COVID-19 vaccine credentials is being met with concerns that the all-access pass would compromise privacy, equity, and human rights. Read More
Canadian government unveils C$100 billion ($77 billion) economic relief package: The stimulus is the biggest in Canada since World War II, and total spending will amount to 3 to 4 percent of Canadian GDP. The plan allocates significant funds toward healthcare facilities and vulnerable economic sectors, and pledges C$1,200 ($944) to low- and middle-income families for each child under six. Read More
New COVID-19 test for children released: New gargle test for children will help speed up testing; authorities also reimposed lockdown measures and restrictions as daily case numbers doubled in the previous month. Read More
Implementing penalties for COVID-19 violations: Strictly enforcing COVID-19 rules, the Canadian Government has arrested and charged an American tourist for violating the Canada Quarantine Act; the accused faces a $560,000 fine. Read More
Close coordination: Canada's federal government has worked closely with the provinces, coordinating the purchase and distribution of PPE centrally, and organizing a procurement program to buy tests. Read More

Compared with Other Western Hemisphere Countries

37.8
Brazil 11,519,609
Cases 1,841
Per 1M 66,849
Deaths

Brazil has a relatively weak score, primarily due to its poor public health policies, especially its very low levels of testing, coupled with President Bolsonaro’s spreading of misinformation about the virus.
39.2
Mexico 2,167,729
Cases 574
Per 1M 5,322
Deaths

Mexico's score has deteriorated over time, due primarily to its extremely weak financial response and relatively weak public health policy, including very limited testing.
19.9
United States 29,495,424
Cases 1,361
Per 1M 55,333
Deaths

Still battling widespread COVID-19 cases and deaths, which were exacerbated by the former administration's limited use of facts and science, limited emergency healthcare spending, and limited debt relief, the Biden administration, by contrast, is taking aggressive action to combat the virus, although it may take time for the score to reflect these changes.
63.3
Canada 918,406
Cases 30
Per 1M 3,166
Deaths

Canada has a relatively strong score, with poor public health policy countered by a continued reliance on fact-based communication.

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Statistics and government response factors available on each country profile include:

Pre-COVID Conditions:

Debt to GDP ratio
Infant mortality rates
Hospital beds per 1,000 people
Gini coefficients measuring inequality
Health access and quality

COVID-19 Public Health Directives:

Stay-at home orders
School-closing policy
Public-gathering restrictions
Cancellation of public events
Testing policy and rates per 1,000 people
Emergency healthcare spending per capita
Travel restrictions
Contact tracing

COVID-19 Financial Response:

Stimulus package as a share of GDP
Income support
Debt-forbearance

Public Communications:

Instances of misinformation by leadership
Limitations on press freedom, censorship

Current/Historic In-Country COVID-19 Status:

Death rates per 1 million
Case rates per 1 million