WITH Omicron now appearing to have peaked, many Canadians are leaning toward reducing restrictions related to COVID-19 control in Canada, according to an Angus Reid Institute poll.

A majority (54%) now say it is time to remove restrictions and let Canadians manage their own level of risk — an increase of 15 percentage points since this question was asked in early January.

These sentiments are subject to some considerable division across the country. At least 34 per cent in every region disagree with this idea, but a majority in every region other than Atlantic Canada feel the time is now to open things up.

The lone majority-dissenting age and gender group on this question are women over the age of 54. At least half of other cohorts – led by 35- to 54-year-old men – say restrictions should end.