Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Health - Executive Summary

Prepared for: Health Canada
POR 095-16
Contract #: HT372/16433/001/CY

Prepared by Environics Research Group

Contract date: 2017-01-20
Report date: March 2017
Fieldwork dates: February 15 - March 10, 2017

PA 9321

Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français sur demande.

For more information on this report:
info@hc-sc.gc.ca

Executive summary

Background and objectives

Health Canada, in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the National Research Council identified the need for public opinion research to understand public perceptions of climate change and its effects on their health, and more generally on climate change adaptation. Specific research objectives were to understand:

• Level of awareness of climate change (and its health risks and impacts);
• Public perception of climate change "adaptation"/resilience;
• Actions to take to adapt/be more resilient to the health risks/impacts of climate change
• Trusted sources, media and means for education and awareness information; and
• Views on role(s) of government and non-governmental organizations.

Methodology

To address the research objectives, a mixed-mode telephone and online survey was conducted with a total of 1,833 Canadians (aged 18 and over) from February 15 - March 10, 2017.

• The telephone survey consisted of interviews with a representative sample of 1,425 Canadians (1225 land line and 200 cell phone only households). The final sample includes oversamples conducted with Indigenous people and Canadians living in higher-risk forest fire areas. The margin of error for the telephone survey is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points, 19 times in 20.
• The online survey was conducted with 384 Canadians surveyed via an online panel, to allow for comparisons across mode should Health Canada wish to move this study to a fully online methodology in the future. Because an online survey is not a random probability sample, a margin of sampling error cannot be reported.

The results described below are based on the telephone data only, with the exception of the section that summarizes the impact of survey mode.

Where possible, results have been compared to a 2008 Health Canada survey about climate change and health.

Cost of research

The cost of this research was $119,928.60 (HST included).

Key findings

Climate change (impact) awareness and perceptions

• In order to effectively communicate on climate change, it is important to know whether or not the public acknowledges that climate change is actually happening. In fact, the large majority of Canadians (79%) are convinced that climate change is happening (consistent with other public opinion research on this topic), which represents an increase from the 2008 survey (69%).
• Canadians who believe in climate change (either definitely or probably) are seeing changes to the world around them that support this view. Three in ten (31%) have noticed a change in their local community that they definitely attribute to climate change, while four in ten (42%) have noticed changes in other parts of Canada. The most noticed changes are warmer temperatures and more unpredictable weather, both at higher levels than in 2008.
• There is also widespread belief that climate change causes a variety of different impacts. Climate change believers are most convinced that climate change causes melting permafrost (89%), followed by flooding (83%), extreme heat events (83%) and more frequent storms (82%). On the other end of the spectrum, there is less certainty about whether climate change causes mental health conditions (40%), impact to health care availability (35%), increased isolation or sense of belonging (31%) and a weaker connection to one's culture (31%).

Climate change and health

• Canadians who believe in climate change generally accept that it is either a health risk now (53%) or will be in the future (40%); very few (5%) deny a link to health. More than half (55%) feel personally vulnerable (either definitely or likely), and close to four in ten (37%) say there is someone in their household who is especially vulnerable.
• Climate change has the potential to cause a wide range of environmental and other impacts that could impact Canadians' health. When prompted with a list of 14 different impacts, majorities of six in ten or more believe that each of these are at least a moderate risk to health. The highest risk is attributed to changes in air quality (79%), forest fires (79%), changes in water quality (78%), forest fire smoke (77%) and extreme heat events (77%).
• A minority (38%) of those who believe in climate change say they have taken steps to protect against the health impacts of climate change, although very few (less than 10 percent each) have engaged in any one activity such as improving their eating habits or using more sunscreen.

Infectious diseases

• The perceived health risk attributed to vector-borne diseases varies widely. Canadians believe the greatest risk comes from Lyme disease (69% major or moderate risk), followed by West nile virus (59%). Only minorities perceive the same degree of risk from Zika (40%), malaria (32%) or yellow fever (27%).
• A minority of Canadians (43%) have taken protective actions to guard against being infected by a vector-borne illness, the most common of which is to use insect repellent.
• The Internet is by far the source most likely to be used for information about vector-borne diseases (mentioned by 75% of Canadians), with doctors in a distant second place.

Extreme weather and emergency preparedness

• Public perceptions of the health risk posed by extreme weather are relatively modest. A minority of Canadians (42%) believe extreme weather events presents a major or moderate health risk to them and their family, and a similar proportion (40%) believe their community will likely experience a weather-related disaster within their lifetime. Perhaps as a result, only four in ten households report having an emergency plan, and this proportion has not increased since 2008.
• Many Canadians are taking preventive steps to reduce their risk from extreme weather events. More than half (54%) regularly check for extreme weather alerts, although this level has declined since 2008 (61%). Over half (55%) also say they regularly or occasionally change their daily routines in response to such alerts; a similar proportion (51%) have specifically changed their plans in response to an extreme heat warning or heat wave.
• Most Canadians can identify at least one symptom of heat illness, particularly dizziness, excessive thirst and nausea. Similarly, there is a reasonably good understanding of what to do to protect against heat illness; staying inside and drinking fluids are the preventive measure most widely mentioned.
• The sources that Canadians would turn to for extreme weather information about their community are fragmented, with no single most popular source, but are most likely to include TV and the Internet. Specifically for information about heat illness, Canadians would be most likely to consult the Internet, ahead of their doctor.

Climate change adaptation

• Most Canadians (74%) are not familiar with the terms "climate change adaptation" or "climate resilience". This suggests that further work is needed to educate Canadians, before these terms can be broadly used (without explanation) in communications efforts.

Focus on higher risk forest fire areas

• The survey results suggest that the views of people living in higher risk forest fire areas about the health impacts of climate change lag slightly behind those of other Canadians. In particular, this group is less likely to be convinced of the reality of climate change, to feel personally vulnerable to the health impacts and to have taken protective action. They are no more likely than others to believe that climate change causes forest fires, or to perceive the health risks associated with forest fires or forest fire smoke. Other Environics research¹ has found that urban populations tend to be more engaged with the topic of climate change, and thus the rural and remote nature of the forest fire areas may be contributing to the lag in opinions.

Focus on Indigenous people

• Indigenous people are believed to be at the forefront of experiencing the impacts of climate change, as a result of their geographic location and traditional ways of life. This is certainly borne out by the results of the survey, which finds that Indigenous people are among the most sensitive to the changes caused by this phenomenon - particularly those that are less well understood by others, such as negative economic impacts, mental health impacts and weaker connection to one's culture. Majorities also believe climate change is having at least a moderate impact on their connections to the land (64%) and their ability to eat healthy foods (56%).
• Indigenous people are among those most likely to feel personally vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, to have a household member who is vulnerable, and to have taken protective actions (against climate change generally as well as against vector-borne illness).
• Indigenous people are seeing the impact of changing weather patterns on their ways of life. The most noticeable impact is on animal migration patterns or fish populations (71% say climate change is having at least a moderate impact), followed by the location of berries, foods or traditional medicines (67%), ice roads (66%) and traditional fishing, hunting or trapping grounds (64%). Perhaps as a result, they are among the most likely to believe an extreme weather disaster will occur during their lifetime.

Political neutrality statement and contact information

I hereby certify as a Senior Officer of Environics Research that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not contain any reference to electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate, or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leader.

Megan Tam
Vice President, Public Affairs, Environics Research Group
megan.tam@environics.ca
613-699-8905
Supplier name: Environics Research Group
PWGSC contract number: HT372/16433/001/CY
Original contract date: 2017-01-20

For more information, contact info@hc-sc.gc.ca

Appendix A: Methodology

Background and research objectives

Health Canada identified the need for public opinion research to understand public perceptions of climate change and its effects on their health, and more generally on climate change adaptation. Specific research objectives were to understand:

• Level of awareness of climate change (and its health risks and impacts);
• Public perception of climate change "adaptation"/resilience;
• Actions to take to adapt/be more resilient to the health risks/impacts of climate change
• Trusted sources, media and means for education and awareness information; and
• Views on role(s) of government and non-governmental organizations.

Methodology

To address the research objectives, a mixed-mode telephone and online survey was conducted with a total of 1,425 Canadians (aged 18 and over) from February 15 - March 10, 2017.

• The telephone survey consisted of interviews with a representative sample of 1,425 Canadians (1225 land line and 200 cell phone only households). The final sample includes oversamples conducted with Indigenous people and Canadians living in higher-risk forest fire areas. The margin of error for the telephone survey is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points, 19 times in 20.
• The online survey was conducted with 375 Canadians surveyed via an online panel, to allow for comparisons across mode should Health Canada wish to move this study to a fully online methodology in the future. Because an online survey is not a random probability sample, a margin of sampling error cannot be reported.

Sample design and weighting

Telephone. The telephone sampling method was designed to complete 1400 interviews with the target audience of Canadians aged 18 and older.

The base sample of 825 was stratified across five designated regions to ensure meaningful data analysis at the regional level. An additional 375 oversample interviews were conducted with Canadians living in higher risk forest fire areas, based on a list of Forward Sortation Areas (FSA) provided by Health Canada. A further 200 oversample interviews with conducted Indigenous people (with quotas set to ensure the final sample was representative by on- and off-reserve).

Environics employed industry-standard random-digit-dialling (RDD) methods as a basis for drawing a national sampling frame for this survey and used an industry-standard "most recent birthday" selection technique to randomly select a respondent within each selected household. Cell phone only (CPO) sample was also included.

The sample was stratified by region to allow for meaningful coverage of lower population areas:

The adjacent map of the forest fire FSAs demonstrates that the majority fall in the territories and in the northern parts of the western provinces, most of which represent rural areas.

FSAs with a higher risk of forest fires

Text Equivalent

Online. The online sample was designed to achieve completed surveys with 375 adult Canadians. Survey participants were recruited via an online panel, and quotas were set to ensure the sample were generally representative of the Canadian population by age and gender. As with the telephone sample, the online sample was stratified by region to allow for meaningful coverage of lower population areas (see table above).

Weighting. At the analysis stage, the telephone and online survey data were each weighted separately to the national adult population (by region, age and gender, plus for the telephone sample, by forest fire areas and the Indigenous population), and then combined.

Questionnaire design and pre-testing

The questionnaire was designed by Environics in consultation with representatives from Health Canada and the collaborative partners. Where relevant, the questionnaire incorporated tracking questions from a 2008 survey on climate change and health. The questionnaire was initially developed as a telephone survey; upon client approval of the content, Environics then adapted the survey for online administration. The final study questionnaire is included in Appendix B.

Pre-test. An initial pretest of 10 interviews in each of English and French was conducted on February 10, 2015 and audited using recordings by Environics and Government of Canada staff. These interviews included standard GC pretest probing questions. The survey came in significantly longer than budgeted. As a result, the survey was reviewed, edits, as well as adjustments to the sample size were made to the survey to fall within the budget. The English and French surveys proceeded February 20, 2017.

Fieldwork

Telephone. Telephone interviewing was conducted by Elemental Data Collection (EDCI) using Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing (CATI) technology. Field supervisors were present at all times to ensure accurate interviewing and recording of responses. A minimum of ten percent of each interviewer's work was unobtrusively monitored for quality control in accordance with the standards set out by the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA). The telephone survey averaged 19 minutes to deliver.

Data analysts programmed the questionnaire in CATI then performed thorough testing to ensure accuracy in set-up and data collection. This validation ensured that the data entry process conformed to the survey's basic logic. The CATI system handles sampling dialling, quotas and questionnaire completion (skip patterns, branching, and valid ranges). The system also ensures that callbacks are conducted in a timely manner. No number is called twice in a two-hour period. Callbacks are conducted on different days of the week and at different times of the day (i.e. morning, afternoon). This system ensures all scheduled appointments are kept, maximizing the response rate and sample representativeness. Up to eight callbacks were made to reach each household selected in the sample.

Online. The surveys were conducted by Environics using a secure, fully featured web-based survey environment. The average length of time to complete the online survey was 19 minutes.

Environics' data analysts programmed the questionnaires then performed thorough testing to ensure accuracy in set-up and data collection. This validation ensured that the data entry process conformed to the surveys' basic logic. The data collection system handles sampling invitations, quotas and questionnaire completion (skip patterns, branching, and valid ranges).

Quality control

All respondents were offered the opportunity to complete the survey in their official language of choice. All research work was conducted in accordance with the standards established by federal government Public Opinion Research (POR) requirements, as well as applicable federal legislation (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, or PIPEDA). The survey was registered with the MRIA's research registration system, which permits the public to verify a survey call, inform themselves about the industry and/or register a complaint.

Completion results

Telephone. The telephone sample for this survey consisted of 1,449 interviews with adult Canadians. The effective response rate for the survey is nine percent.² This is calculated as the number of responding participants (completed interviews plus those disqualified because of survey requirements and quotas being filled), divided by unresolved numbers (e.g., busy, no answer) plus non-responding households or individuals (e.g., refusals, language barrier, missed callbacks) plus responding participants [R/(U+IS+R)]. The disposition of all contacts is presented in the following table:

Online. The online completion results are presented in the following table.

Non-response bias analysis

The table below presents a profile of the final telephone sample, compared to the actual population of Canada (2011 Census information). As is typically the case for general population telephone surveys, older individuals are easier to reach, so the survey overrepresented those age 55+ (this was corrected with age weighting). The final sample also somewhat under-represents those with high school or less education, which is a typical pattern for telephone surveys in Canada (e.g., individuals with more education are more likely to respond to telephone surveys).

Appendix B: Survey questionnaire

Interdepartmental Public Opinion Research - Climate Change Adaptation:
Survey questions

Info Node

Good afternoon/evening. My name is Insert Name and I am calling from Environics, a public opinion research company.

Confirm Whether Respondent Prefers English or French

We are conducting a study on behalf of the Government of Canada to find out what people think about issues facing Canada today. Please be assured that we are not selling or soliciting anything. The survey is voluntary and your responses will be kept entirely confidential and anonymous. This survey is registered with the national survey registration system.

The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete]

[If asked: The survey is sponsored by the Government of Canada]

[If asked: This survey is registered with the national survey registration system. The registration system has been created by the Canadian survey research industry to allow the public to verify that a survey is legitimate, get information about the survey industry or register a complaint. The registration system's toll-free telephone number is 1-888-602-6742, extension 8728].

If Landline Sample

We choose telephone numbers at random and then select one person from each household to be interviewed. To do this, we would like to speak to the person in your household, 18 years of age or older, who has had the most recent birthday. Would that be you?

If Cell Phone Sample Ask A and B

SC

A. Are you in a safe place to talk - for example not operating a motor vehicle?

1. Yes [Re-introduce yourself, if necessary]
2. No [Arrange callback date/time]

SC

B. At home, do you have a traditional telephone line other than a cell phone?

1. Yes Check against quota
2. No Check against quota

OE NUM [1900-2016] terminate if > 1998

C. In what year were you born?
Record Response

SC

D. Which of the following age groups do you fall into?

• 01 - 18 - 24 years of age
• 02 - 25 to 34
• 03 - 35 to 44
• 04 - 45 to 54
• 05 - 55 to 64
• 06 - 65 to 74
• 07 - 75+
• Volunteered
• 99 - Refusal

OE NUM CHA

E. To ensure we include people from all parts of Canada, what are the six digits of your postal code?
Record Response

If refused at E: Can I please have the first 3 characters of your postal code?

sc

F. Which of the following best identifies you? Are you…?

• 01 - First Nations
• 02 - Inuk
• 03 - Métis
• 04 - a non-Aboriginal peoples
• Volunteered
• 05 - Inuit
• 06 - Inuvialuit
• 98 - Other (Specify)
• 99 - Refuse

sc

If F=01, 02 or 03:

F2. Do you participate in any traditional First Nation/Inuit/Metis activities, such as hunting, fishing, trapping, crafts, harvesting of traditional berries, foods and/or medicines, or other activities?

1. Yes
2. No

A. Climate Change (impact) awareness and perceptions

2008 - Q4a

sc

1. There has been a lot of discussion lately about the issue of climate change. Do you believe that climate change is something that is definitely happening, or something which may be happening but is not yet proven, or climate change is not happening at all?

• 1. Climate change is definitely happening
• 2. Climate change may be happening but is not yet proven
• 3. , or Climate change is not happening at all - then skip to Q17
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q5

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

SC

2. Have you noticed any changes in your community which you think are definitely, likely, or possibly the result of climate change or you have not noticed any changes?

• 1. Definitely the result of climate change
• 2. Likely the result of climate change
• 3. Possibly the result of climate change
• 4. No changes noticed
• 5. Depends/hard to say
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q6

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

SC

3. And are you aware of any changes in other parts of Canada which you think are definitely, likely, or possibly the result of climate change or you have not noticed any changes?

• 1. Definitely the result of climate change
• 2. Likely the result of climate change
• 3. Possibly the result of climate change
• 4. No changes noticed
• 5. Depends/hard to say
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q7

ASK IF Q1=1, 2 or 99

MC

4. (If definitely/likely/possibly in Q2 or Q3) What kinds of changes have you noticed?
Do not read list - code all that apply - limit probing

• 1. Warmer temperatures/warmer weather
• 2. Colder temperatures/colder weather
• 3. More heat waves/extreme heat
• 4. Weather more unpredictable
• 5. Weather events more extreme
• 6. More storms
• 7. Stronger winds
• 8. More air pollution/lower air quality
• 9. Water levels are lower
• 10. Water levels are higher
• 11. More flooding/more severe flooding
• 12. Less ice/snow
• 13. Less rain
• 14. More ice/snow
• 15. More rain
• 16. More forest Fires
• 17. Less forest Fires
• 18. Affecting tundra/permafrost
• 19. Changes in migration patterns
• 20. Harvesting of foods such as berries, and traditional medicines
• 21. Increase in physical health issues
• 22. Increase in mental health issues
• 23. Increase in infectious disease risk or spread
• 24. Winter roads
• 98. Other (Specify, OE CHA)
• 99. DK/NA [Exclusive]

2008 - Q8 with new items

Grid SC per row

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

5. Would you say that climate change definitely causes, likely causes, likely does not cause or definitely does not cause each of the following types of impacts in Canada?
Randomize
Split sample all so half of list is asked to each respondent except high rish forest fire respondents. They will receive all these items.

Rows

• a. Melting permafrost in the Arctic regions
• b. Coastal erosion
• c. Forest fires
• d. Extreme heat events or heat waves
• e. Extreme cold weather
• f. More frequent storms, such as hurricanes and ice storms
• g. Loss of wildlife habitat
• h. Drought conditions
• i. Flooding of rivers and in coastal areas
• j. More severe forest pest infestation
• k. Physical health conditions of Canadians
• l. Mental health conditions of Canadians
• m. Negative impacts on the economy or jobs
• n. Weaker connection to one's culture
• o. Increases isolation and reduces a sense of belonging of the community
• p. Air pollution/lower air quality
• q. Increased allergies
• r. Impact to food supply
• s. Impact to health care availability

Columns

• 01 - Definitely causes
• 02 - Likely causes
• 03 - Likely does not cause
• 04 - Definitely does not cause
• Volunteered
• 05 - Depends
• 99 - DK/NA

B. Climate Change and Health

2008 - Q9

MC

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

6. In what ways, if any, do you think climate change poses a risk to the health of Canadians? Please be as specific as possible.
Do not read list - code all that apply - limit probing

• 1. Air quality impacts
  • a. Increased air pollution
  • b. Poor air quality
  • c. Increased smog
• 2. Respiratory/breathing problems
• 3. Infectious diseases/
  • i. West Nile/
  • ii. Flu / Influenza Virus
  • iii. Lyme Disease
  • iv. Other Vector Borne Disease
  • v. Other infectious diseases
• 4. Diseases transmitted from animals/nature to people
• 5. Water quality impacts
  • a. Decreased water quality
  • b. Decreased drinking water supply
  • c. Impact on water species
  • d. Impact on recreational waterways
• 6. Water-borne diseases
• 7. Food-borne disease
• 8. Heat stroke
• 9. Sunburn
• 10. Skin cancer
• 11. Cancer
• 12. Frostbite/frozen skin
• 13. Stress/anxiety
• 14. Nutrition
• 15. Allergies (related to pollen/mould)
• 98. Other (Specify, OE CHA)
• 97. None [Exlusive]
• 99. DK/NA [Exclusive]

New

Grid, SC per row

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

7. How much of a risk to the health of [Canadians]/ [INSERT CODES 01, 02 OR 03 AT QF: First Nations peoples/Inuit/Métis] is there from each of the following?

Randomize

• a. Forest fires
• b. Flooding
• c. Spread of infectious diseases (Lyme, West Nile, Flu/Influenza)
• d. Extreme heat events
• e. Food security
• f. Loss of permafrost
• g. Changes in air quality
• h. Changes in water quality
• i. Indirect impacts, e.g. mass migration, loss of jobs/income
• j. Allergies (pollen/mould)
• k. Forest Fire Smoke
• l. Food safety
• m. Food-borne illness
• n. Rising sea levels/coastal erosion

• 1. Major risk
• 2. Moderate risk
• 3. Minor risk
• 4. No risk at all
• 99. DK/NA

Grid, SC per row

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

8. If F=01, 02 or 03: The next question is about how you feel climate change is affecting your health and your culture. Is climate change having a major, moderate, minor impact or no impact at all on each of the following?
Randomize

• a. Your ability to eat healthy foods
• b. Your ability to cope with the impact on your mental health
• c. Indigenous peoples' connection to the land
• d. Passing down knowledge and beliefs from elders to youth

• 1. Major impact
• 2. Moderate impact
• 3. Minor impact
• 4. No impact at all
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q11

SC

ASK IF Q1=1, 2 OR 99

9. Do you think that climate change already poses a risk to Canadians today, or do you think this is something that will happen in the future or it poses no risk now or in the future?

• 1. Poses a risk today
• 2. Will pose a risk in the future
• 3. No risks now or in the future
• 4. Depends
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q14

SC

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

11. What about your own health? Do you believe that you personally are definitely, likely, likely not, or definitely not vulnerable to the potential health impacts of climate change?

• 1. Definitely vulnerable
• 2. Likely vulnerable
• 3. Likely not vulnerable
• 4. Definitely not vulnerable
• 5. Depends
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q15

SC

Ask if Q1=1, 2 or 99

12. Is there anyone else in your immediate household who you think would be especially vulnerable to the potential health impacts of climate change?

• 1. Yes
• 2. No
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q17

MC up to 3

Ask if Q1=1, 2 OR 99

14. Have you personally taken any steps in the past year to protect yourself or family members from the potential health risks and/or impacts of climate change?
Do not read - code up to 3 responses - limit probing

• 1. Installed air conditioning,
• 2. Use deet,
• 3. Have an emergency plan/kit,
• 4. Vigilant for ticks on person/pets,
• 5. Increase home's energy efficiency,
• 6. Watch weather more closely
• 7. Prepare for storms,
• 8. Recycling
• 9. Riding your bike to work
• 98. Other (SPECIFY) OE CHA
• 99. No/None [Exclusive]

Climate Change and Health - Infectious diseases

Info node

Now, I would like to talk to you about Infectious diseases that are caused by the bite of an infected mosquito or tick.

NEW

Grid, SC per row

17. I will now read you a list of diseases caused by a mosquito / tick bite. Please tell me whether you think each of the following poses a major risk, moderate risk, a minor risk or no risk at all to the health of Canadians:
Randomize

Rows

• a. Lyme disease
• b. West Nile Virus
• c. Zika
• d. Yellow Fever
• e. Malaria

Columns

• 1. Major risk
• 2. Moderate risk
• 3. Minor risk
• 4. No risk at all
• 99. DK/NA

New

SC

18. Have you personally taken any steps in the past year to protect yourself or family members to prevent against diseases caused by the bite from an infected mosquitoe or tick?:

• 1. Yes
• 2. No
• 99. DK/NA

New

MC

19. If yes at Q18: What steps have you taken?
Do not read the list

• 1. using insect repellent / spray always
• 2. using insect repellent / spray only when going into marshy / treed areas
• 3. checking for ticks on skin after being outdoors
• 4. check pets after being outdoors
• 5. reducing time outdoors during peak mosquito periods
• 6. avoid outdoor areas known for higher volume of mosquitos/ticks
• 7. wearing light coloured clothing when outdoors
• 8. wearing long pants and long sleeves
  • 98. Other, please specify OE CHA

New

MC

20. If you wanted more information about these types of diseases, where would you look or what sources would you use?
Do not read list

• 1. Federal Government website: such as Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada
• 2. Your provincial government
• 3. Your municipal government / local government (e.g. city)
• 4. US Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC)
• 5. Doctor / Specialist
• 6. Web/Internet
• 7. TV
• 8. Radio
• 9. Newspaper/Magazine ad
• 10. Social Media
• 11. Friends
• 98. Other: (Please specify) OE CHA

Climate Change and Health - Extreme weather

Info Node

I would now like to ask you about extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, violent wind storms, heat waves, floods and major blizzards...

2008 - Q18

SC

21. How much of a health risk do you believe extreme weather events present to you and your family? Do they present:

• 1. A major health risk
• 2. A moderate health risk
• 3. A minor health risk, or
• 4. No health risk at all
• 99. DK/NA

NEW

SC

22. Which extreme weather events do you feel poses the greatest risk to your health and the health of your family?
Do not read list - code one only

• 1. Extreme heat/heat waves
• 2. Hurricanes
• 3. Wind storms
• 4. Floods
• 5. Winter storms/blizzards
• 6. Forest fires
• 7. Drought
• 98. OTHER, please specify OE CHA

Grid SC per row

23. If F=01, 02 or 03: The next question is about weather conditions and climate change. Do you feel that changing weather patterns are having a major, moderate, minor impact or no impact at all on:
Randomize

Rows

• a. Your ability to get out on the land
• b. Animal migration patterns or fish populations
• c. Traditional fishing, hunting or trapping grounds
• d. The location of berries, foods or traditional medicines
• e. Ice roads
• f. Housing conditions
• g. Your ability to store traditional foods

Columns

• 1. Major impact
• 2. Moderate impact
• 3. Minor impact
• 4. No impact at all
• 99. Not applicable

2008 - Q21

SC

24. Does your household currently have a plan for what to do to protect yourself and your family in the event of a natural disaster or emergency? Such a plan might include how you would evacuate your home, or how to stay in contact with other family members.

• 1. Yes
• 2. No
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q24

Grid SC per row

25. Do you think it is very, somewhat, not very or not at all likely that a disaster caused by extreme weather will occur and affect you or your community:

Rows

• a. Within the next two years
• b. Within the next 10 years
• c. Within your lifetime

Columns

• 1. Very likely
• 2. Somewhat likely
• 3. Not very likely
• 4. Not at all likely
• 5. Depends
• 99. DK/NA

2008 - Q25

MC

26. Where are you most likely to look for information about extreme weather that might affect your community?

• 1. TV
• 2. Radio
• 3. Newspaper
• 4. Internet/website - Probe for specific site, OE CHA
• 5. Government of Canada website - Probe for specifc dept [OE CHA]
• 6. Weather Network (TV)
• 7. Weather Network (website)
• 8. Friend/family member
• 9. Media billboard/outdoor electronic sign
• 10. Weather apps
• 11. Twitter
• 12. Facebook
• 13. Newsfeeds
• 14. Phoning local weather line
• 15. Weatheradio
• 16. EC-Alert Me
• 17. Crawler and the bottom of the TV screen
• 18. Environment Canada (Specify medium [OE CHA]
• 98. Other (Specify, OE CHA)
• 99. DK/NA [Exclusive]

2008 - Q23 revised wording

SC

27. How often do you or others in your household listen or check for extreme weather alerts in your local area? Is this done:

• 1. Regularly
• 2. Occasionally
• 3. Rarely
• 4. Never
• 99. DK/NA

SC

28. How often do you take steps or make changes in your daily routine as a result of an extreme weather alert?

• 1. Regularly
• 2. Occasionally
• 3. Rarely
• 4. Never
• 99. DK/NA
• 5. depends

New

SC

29. When thinking specifically about extreme heat or heat waves, have you ever taken action or changed your plans as a result of hearing a heat warning?

• 1. Yes
• 2. No

New

MC

30. To the best of your knowledge, what are the symptoms of heat illness?
Do not read the list

• 1. headache
• 2. difficulty breathing
• 3. heat rash
• 4. dizziness
• 5. excessive thirst / dry mouth
• 6. weakness
• 7. fainting
• 8. muscle cramps
• 9. rapid heartbeat
• 10. confusion / disorientation / staggering
• 11. lack of sweating (despite heat)
• 12. nausea
• 13. swelling of hands, feed, ankles
• 14. decreased urination/unusually dark yellow urine
• 98. other
• 99. DK/NA [Exclusive]

New

31. What kinds of things would you do to protect yourself and your family from heat illnesses?
Do not read the list

• 1. Stay inside when it's too hot
• 2. Turn on air conditioning
• 3. Turn on fan
• 4. Go to air conditioned public location (e.g. mall, community centre, library)
• 5. Drink liquids/water
• 6. Wear loose fitting clothing
• 7. Wear a hat
• 8. Close curtains/blinds
• 9. Take a shower
• 10. Find an outdoor shaded location (e.g. under a tree)
• 11. Go to a swimming pool/beach
• 98. Other
• 99. DK/NA [Exclusive]

New

MC

32. Who would you turn to in order to obtain more information on heat illness?
Do not read the list

• 1. Doctor
• 2. Nurse
• 3. Pharmacist
• 4. Other health professional
• 5. Health Canada
• 6. Other government website
• 7. Local weather forecasters/Meteorologists
• 8. Friends/Family
• 9. Social Media
• 10. TV
• 11. Radio
• 12. Internet
• 98. Other:……OE CHA
• 99. DK/NA [Exclusive]

If Q1 Climate change is not happening, Skip to section D

C. Climate Change Adaptation

New

Ask

SC

Ask if Q1=1,2 or 99

33. How familiar are you with the terms "climate change adaptation" or "climate resilience"

• 01 - Very familiar
• 02 - familiar
• 03 - Not very familiar
• 04 - Know them by name only
• 99 - Have never heard of them before

New

34. If codes 01 - 04 at Q33
SC
What do they mean to you?:

• 1. change / adjustment
• 2. changing government rules/policies
• 3. becoming more flexible with change
• 4. being prepared for what's to come.
• 5. Other (specify)
• 99. DK/NA

D. Health Status/Demographic Questions

Info Node

Now I'd like to ask you a few questions about your health...

2008 - Q26

SC

D1. Compared to other people your age, would you say your health is generally:

• 1. Excellent
• 2. Very good
• 3. Good
• 4. Only fair
• 5. Poor
• 99. Refuse/NA

2008 - Q28

Info Node

Finally, I'd like to ask you a few questions about yourself and your household that will help us analyze the results of this survey...

2008 - Q33

SC

D4. What is the highest level of formal education that you have completed?
(Read list)

• Grade 8 or less 1
• Some high school 2
• High School diploma or equivalent 3
• Registered Apprenticeship or other trades certificate or diploma 4
• College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 5
• University certificate or diploma below Bachelor's level 6
• Bachelor's degree 7
• Post graduate degree above bachelor's level 8
• [Do not read]
• Prefer not to answer 99

2008 - Q35

OE NUM [0-99]

D5. How many people, including yourself, currently live in your household?

• #
• 99 - NA/Refuse

If landline record region from sample
If cell phone sample ask C

SC

D8. In which province or territory do you live?

• Newfoundland 1
• Prince Edward Island 2
• Nova Scotia 3
• New Brunswick 4
• Quebec 5
• Ontario 6
• Manitoba 7
• Saskatchewan 8
• Alberta 9
• British Columbia 10
• Yukon 11
• Northwest Territories 12
• Nunavut 13

SC

D9. Gender [Do not ask: record based on interviewer observation]

• Female 1
• Male 2

SC

I. What language do you speak most often at home? [Read list -- Accept all that apply]

• English 1
• French 2
• Another language [Do not specify] 3
• Volunteered
• Don't know/Refused 99

SC

J. Which of the following categories best describes your current employment status? Are you [Read list - Accept one answer only]

• Working full-time, that is, 35 or more hours per week 1
• Working part-time, that is, less than 35 hours per week 2
• Self-employed 3
• Unemployed, but looking for work 4
• A student attending school full-time 5
• Retired 6
• Not in the workforce [Full-time homemaker, unemployed, not looking for work] 7
• [Do not read]
• Other - [Do not specify] 98
• [Do not read]
• Refused 99

2008 - Q39

SC

D10. Which of the following categories best describes your total household income? That is, the total income of all persons in your household combined, before taxes [Read list]?

• Under $20,000 1
• $20,000 to just under $40,000 2
• $40,000 to just under $60,000 3
• $60,000 to just under $80,000 4
• $80,000 to just under $100,000 5
• $100,000 to just under $150,000 6
• $150,000 and above 7
• (Do not read) Refused 99

Info Node

This completes the survey. In case my supervisor would like to verify that I conducted this interview, may I have your first name?

First Name: [Insert Name] OE CHA

This survey was conducted on behalf of the Government of Canada, and is registered under the Federal Access to Information Act. Thank you very much for your participation.

1

For example, Environics' Canadian Environmental Barometer (a biannual online survey of 2,000 Canadians on the topics of climate change and the environment)

2

This response rate calculation is based on a formula developed by MRIA in consultation with the Government of Canada (Public Works and Government Services).

Figure 1

The map of the forest fire FSAs demonstrates that the majority fall in the territories and in the northern parts of the western provinces, most of which represent rural areas.