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Fifty per cent of Canadians say 2020 is the worst year of their lives

pandemic-mask
Woman in mask looking out the window. (via Getty Images)

If you aren't loving 2020, you aren't alone.

A new survey finds that half of Canadians feel that 2020 has been the worst year of their lives. 

Conducted by polling firm Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies, the survey asked Canadians, "Up until now, is 2020 the worst year you've ever lived?"

The result of the yes/no question was split right down the middle, with 50 per cent of the country reporting that 2020 takes the cake for the most awful year to date.

According to the survey, Americans also despise 2020, with a staggering 58 per cent of our southern neighbours stating that it is the worst year yet. Interestingly, British Columbians are slightly less likely to say that 2020 is the worst year, with 46 per cent of the province agreeing with the sentiment. 

For respondents who said 2020 was the worst year ever, the poll asked what event(s) characterizes the year. Respondents had the option of selecting more than one answer, and therefore the total of mentions may exceed 100 per cent. 

  • Death of a loved one - 41 per cent
  • Personal problems (stress, anxiety, uncertainty about the future, etc.) - 41 per cent
  • Depression - 26 per cent
  • Separation, breakup, divorce - 24 per cent
  • Illness of a relative or loved one - 22 per cent
  • Personal Illness - 18 per cent
  • Family problems (fertility problems, bickering, etc.) - 18 per cent
  • Job loss - 15 per cent
  • Serious personal accident - Nine per cent
  • Serious accident of a relative or loved one - Five per cent
  • Natural disaster (e.g. loss of home due to flooding or landslide) - Three per cent
  • Other - Seven per cent

The majority of Canadian respondents (64 per cent) also feel it is likely that, over the next three months, we will go back to a pandemic lockdown, with business closures and stay-at-home orders (similar to March and April).

Further, a whopping 78 per cent of them feel that there will be a second wave of the virus in the fall.