If the goal of the so-called Freedom Convoy was to build support for their demands to end pandemic-related restrictions, it has backfired utterly – to the point that almost half of Canadians say the protests have made them even more inclined to support vaccination requirements to cross the Canada-US border (44%).

And according to the new research from the Angus Reid Institute, the same number are also inclined to support continued restrictions related to masking indoors (44%).

“I sympathize with ending some of the restrictions, but I almost want to keep them now, just so the protesters don’t think they’ve won,” one fuming Mississauga, Ont., resident told Travel Industry Today.

Overall, as the country rolls into another week of uncertainty, nearly three-quarters of Canadians (72%), according to the poll, say the time has come for protesters to “go home, they have made their point.”

As to how the situation should be resolved – most feel the time for talking is done. Nearly 70% either think local police need to step in and send people home (45%) or that the military should be summoned (23%). One quarter (26%) say it’s up to politicians to negotiate a dénouement.

At the same time, poll respondents also roundly criticized politicians, including the prime minister and the leader of Canada’s official opposition, for harming, not helping events. Two-thirds (65%) say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau comments and actions have worsened the situation, while two-in-five (42%) say this of Candice Bergen, leader of the official opposition.

(Ed note: The poll was taken before Monday’s announcement on the federal government’s implementation of the Emergency Act to end the protest).

The Ottawa police and Ontario Provincial Police also garnered considerable criticism, with more Canadians – and Ontarians – saying they have worsened rather than helped to resolve the situation.

At the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, a local resident summed up the dual distaste for both protesters and authorities.

“It was like a teenager having a fit because they aren’t getting their own way,” Darnell Vanhorn said of the demonstrators who blocked the bridge, noting that the protest had disrupted schooling for his children and made it tough for him to take his usual route home from work. But he added, “I think the city could have done a better job, a swifter job (removing them).”

More key findings of the poll:

• The story has caught the attention of many Canadians. Two-thirds (64%) say they are following it in the news and discussing it with friends and family. A further three-in-ten (28%) say they are still paying some attention to it. Very few, 1%, say they had not heard about the situation.

• Those who support some form of action (93% of Canadians) to remove protesters are largely supportive of arrests if demonstrators refuse to leave. Three-in-five (62%) say this should happen.

• Half of Canadians believe premiers Doug Ford (50%) and Jason Kenney (49%) have harmed the situation more than they have helped. For both, that is also the majority opinion in their own provinces.