LOCATION	GROUP	LANGUAGE	DATE	TIME (EST)	GROUP COMPOSITION	NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
Ottawa – Ontario	1	English	Mar. 3	6:00-8:00 pm	General Population	8
Newfoundland	2	English	Mar. 8	4:30-6:30 pm	General Population	7
Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Region – Quebec	3	French	Mar. 9	6:00-8:00 pm	Seniors, aged 55+	7
Ontario/US Border Cities	4	English	Mar. 10	6:00-8:00 pm	Parents of Children under 12	8
Yukon	5	English	Mar. 15	9:00-11:00 pm	General Population	5
Rural Manitoba	6	English	Mar. 16	7:00-9:00 pm	General Population	7
Trois-Rivières – Quebec	7	French	Mar. 17	6:00-8:00 pm	Parents of Children under 12	5
Calgary – Alberta	8	English	Mar. 22	8:00-10:00 pm	Young Adults, aged 18-30	8
Northern British Columbia	9	English	Mar. 23	9:00-11:00 pm	General Population	8
Halton & Peel Regions – Ontario	10	English	Mar. 24	6:00-8:00 pm	Financially Precarious	6
Major Centres Saskatchewan	11	English	Mar. 29	8:00-10:00 pm	Heavy Social Media Users	5
Greater Montreal Area	12	French	Mar. 30	6:00-8:00 pm	Racialized Canadians	8
Total number of participants	82

Key Findings

Government of Canada in the News (All Locations)

Among recent initiatives and announcements related to the federal government, the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia as well as the response from the Government of Canada and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies was top of mind among participants. Several recalled troubling stories and images emerging from the humanitarian crisis, federal attempts to prepare for the potential influx of displaced Ukrainians into Canada, the announcement of sanctions on various Russian individuals and entities, the provision of financial and military aid to Ukraine by the Government of Canada, and the prime minister’s recent trip to several European countries to discuss the coordinated response with NATO allies.

In addition to pandemic-related news, some recalled hearing about a settlement between the federal government and Indigenous individuals and families seeking redress for past treatment under the federal child-welfare system, as well as an agreement to release thousands of records related to the historic residential school system. Participants also mentioned new investments towards resettlement services for newcomers and refugees, as well as ongoing discussions related to housing affordability and the likelihood of an interest rate increase by the Bank of Canada. Related to international issues, a number of participants mentioned the increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the potential response from Canada and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.

Many participants also recalled a wide variety of other recent actions and announcements from the federal government unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. These included the decision by the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates in response to concerns regarding high inflation, the launch of the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), the upcoming release of the federal government’s Budget 2022, and the announcement of Delivering for Canadians Now, A Supply and Confidence Agreement, an agreement between the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party that will last until Parliament rises in June 2025.

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Two groups engaged in further discussions regarding the Government of Canada, specifically focused on which areas they felt the federal government should prioritize going forward. Discussing the most pressing issues for the Government of Canada to focus on at present, participants mentioned priorities such as expanding and bolstering provincial/territorial healthcare systems, improving the quality of education at all levels, addressing housing affordability, curbing the perceived high rate of inflation, further emphasis on protecting the environment and mitigating the impacts of climate change, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Asked what they had seen, read, or heard about recent actions by the Government of Canada regarding any of these priorities, few participants could recall anything. It was felt by many that the COVID-19 pandemic had taken up much of the energy and resources of the federal government over the past two years and, as a result, minimal action had been taken on a number of other important issues. Discussing the overall performance of the federal government towards addressing these identified priorities, while a small number felt the Government of Canada was on the wrong track, most were either uncertain or believed it was difficult to provide a proper evaluation given the ongoing complications of the pandemic. Moving forward, it was felt the response to the COVID-19 pandemic would continue to be a major federal priority, along with other issues such as climate change and the environment, inflation, employment, as well as continued efforts to coordinate a response with NATO allies regarding the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

News Sources and Preferences (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users)

One group, comprised of participants identified as prolific social media users, were asked additional questions regarding the sources they typically use to receive daily news. While several participants reported frequently using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to get their news, most also continued to utilize more traditional media such as television (CBC, CTV, Global News), radio, and newspapers (both in print form, as well as via apps). Asked whether they felt social media platforms were generally reliable as a source for news, most felt this was not the case, believing that headlines on social media were often intentionally written to be inflammatory or attention-grabbing. With this in mind, it was generally felt that while social media was beneficial in its ability to spotlight a wide diversity of perspectives, information found on these platforms should be verified through other trusted sources, such as official websites operated by federal or provincial/territorial governments.

Coastal GasLink (Northern British Columbia)

Participants in northern British Columbia (B.C.) engaged in an additional discussion regarding the Coastal GasLink project, a natural gas pipeline currently under construction spanning from Dawson Creek to Kitimat, B.C. While few reported following the matter closely, a number of participants recalled having recently heard about a number of issues related to the project, including criticism in the media regarding potential environmental risks, unresolved land claims with Indigenous peoples regarding the territory upon which the pipeline was being built, as well as reports of a recent armed attack by protestors on employees and security guards working at a project site near Houston, B.C. Several participants expressed frustration at these developments, believing far too many outside voices were currently weighing in on what they felt to be a primarily local issue.

Asked whether the federal government had a role to play in this project, all participants felt that it did, believing the management of Canada’s energy resources and the ability to export them to global markets was an issue of national importance. It was widely felt the project had been portrayed unfairly in a negative light both by its opponents as well as in the media at large and that the federal government should devote greater efforts towards dispelling what several felt to be ‘disinformation’ regarding the project. A few also thought the federal government should work to engage in greater collaboration with the Government of British Columbia, believing the establishment of a cohesive strategy on this issue at both the provincial and federal levels would help to ease tensions regarding the construction of this pipeline. Discussing what they would like to see happen regarding the Coastal GasLink project, most participants expressed support for the project, focusing on the potential positive benefits it could bring to their local communities as well as to Canada as a whole. For the few who were more skeptical or opposed to the project, it was felt the potential environmental risks needed to be balanced with the projected economic benefits, and that greater assurances needed to be provided that the construction and operation of the pipeline would not cause long-term damage to the coastal environment and marine ecosystem.

Prince Rupert Port Expansion (Northern British Columbia)

The group composed of participants living in Northern British Columbia also briefly discussed a recent plan by the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) to double its capacity by constructing a second container terminal, a move which would significantly increase the PRPA’s volume of trade with Asia-Pacific markets. Asked for their thoughts on the project, all participants thought it sounded like a strong initiative, though a few felt they did not know enough about the subject to provide a proper evaluation. Many felt the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert would be beneficial in that it would likely remove congestion from other busy ports such as the Port of Vancouver, while also driving higher employment and economic growth in Prince Rupert and other nearby communities. While many said the federal government should support this project going forward, some believed this assistance should be accompanied by well-articulated regulations regarding safety protocols and ways to mitigate any potential negative impacts on the environment and to local communities.

Ukraine (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Seven groups engaged in extended discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began following the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory on February 24th, 2022. These conversations focused primarily on awareness of recent developments related to the conflict, perceptions of the Government of Canada’s response to the crisis, as well as efforts by the federal government to assist and accommodate Ukrainian citizens displaced by the conflict.

Government of Canada Response (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Participants in six groups discussed the Government of Canada’s ongoing response to this crisis. Asked what they had recently seen, read, or heard regarding federal actions related to the situation in Ukraine, participants mentioned collaboration by the Government of Canada with North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) allies to coordinate a comprehensive response, the provision of financial and military aid to assist Ukraine and its defence forces in their efforts to repel the Russian incursion, and humanitarian efforts to assist and provide safe haven to Ukrainian citizens displaced by the conflict. Several recalled hearing that the Government of Canada had accelerated the temporary resident pathway for those fleeing the conflict in efforts to bring these individuals to Canada and assist them in reuniting with family members wherever possible.

Perspectives and Forecast (Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Five groups continued these discussions further, sharing their opinions regarding the crisis, its personal impact on them, as well as how they expected the conflict may unfold in the weeks and months to come. Discussing the response from the Government of Ukraine, participants were asked if they were aware of any specific actions Ukraine had requested of the Government of Canada in recent days. A wide range of responses were offered, including calls for NATO to implement a ‘no-fly zone’ above Ukraine, requests for additional financial assistance and military support, as well as stricter sanctions on Russian individuals and entities. Almost all participants felt these requests, while possibly placing the Government of Canada in a difficult situation, were understandable given the devastation the Ukrainian people had suffered to date as a result of the Russian invasion. While participants reiterated a desire for Canada to assist in any way it could, most remained hesitant about the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) or NATO taking a more direct role in defending Ukraine, expressing concern that this could escalate the conflict further and potentially put Canadian lives at risk.

Asked if they felt personally impacted by the conflict, while few reported being directly affected, several felt the crisis in Ukraine had negatively impacted their mental health. This was particularly felt to be the case for those who had personal connections to Ukraine and were witnessing the effects of the conflict on a far more visceral level. Discussing the potential long-term ramifications of this crisis, several were of the view that it would take decades for Ukraine to rebuild its nation and recover economically and socially in the wake of the destruction that had already taken place. It was felt by some this conflict would cause generational trauma among Ukrainian people and their loved ones and that many of these individuals would need ongoing mental health support. A number of participants shared concerns that if nothing was done to halt Russia’s advance into Ukraine, it was possible that other neighbouring countries could also fall under attack.

Focusing on Canada more specifically, a few thought it likely that calls for greater federal defence spending may become more prominent, particularly if the CAF were to take a more direct role in the conflict. Some also expected there to be a larger focus on increasing the capacity for producing goods and services domestically within Canada, with a greater emphasis on self-sustainability and less dependency on imports. A few also expressed concerns regarding the mental health of younger Canadians, feeling the outbreak of conflict combined with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could be overwhelming for those coming of age during this period. Asked how they felt the conflict may unfold going forward, most felt it was difficult to predict what may happen, feeling there were a multitude of interrelated factors to consider. This being said, few felt the conflict would end soon, with many reiterating concerns regarding potential escalation into a larger conflict and the possible deployment of nuclear weapons by Russia. Discussing whether there was more they felt the federal government could be doing in response to the crisis, several said the Government of Canada should work with its allies to continue to put diplomatic pressure on Russia to end the conflict. While a few were not necessarily opposed to increasing the CAF presence in the region, they felt this would have to be done very cautiously and with clear guidelines regarding the specific role of Canada’s military personnel. Rather than increase its physical presence in the region, several thought the Government of Canada should prioritize welcoming as many Ukrainians fleeing the conflict as possible, believing Canada could take on a leadership role on this front.

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Four groups were asked a series of questions specifically focusing on the Government of Canada’s readiness to accommodate a potential influx of Ukrainians fleeing conflict. To begin, participants were asked if they felt their own communities (and Canada more generally) were sufficiently prepared to receive a large number of Ukrainians. In response, about as many participants felt their communities were prepared as those who expressed concern they may not have the resources to accommodate these individuals. Among those more uncertain regarding their community’s readiness to accept Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, housing was the most commonly mentioned concern. It was felt that given the perceived lack of housing in many regions throughout the country, a sudden influx of individuals in need of safe and affordable housing could serve to exacerbate this problem further. A few were also uncertain as to whether there was enough capacity to provide essential services such as healthcare for these individuals, given the perceived strain on provincial/territorial healthcare systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By contrast, many of those who felt their communities were well-prepared to accommodate those fleeing the conflict took the view that this influx of individuals represented a vital opportunity for Canada, providing the Canadian economy with a boost of talented workers who could immediately contribute in a number of industries and sectors. Irrespective of whether they felt their communities were prepared to accommodate this influx, many participants reiterated the view that assisting these individuals and providing them with a safe haven was of critical importance.

Asked what would need to happen for the Government of Canada to be better prepared to accommodate those displaced by the conflict, participants provided a number of responses. These included the creation of a long-term plan to address this temporary increase in immigration, the development of programming (such as language classes) designed to assist these individuals in building a life in their new communities, bolstering provincial/territorial healthcare systems to accommodate increased demand, and ensuring the provision of mental health services for any individuals requiring treatment upon arrival in Canada. Discussing what they felt success would look like when it came to accommodating Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, a number of participants were of the view that success would be represented by the safe return of these individuals to their homeland at some point after the conflict had ended. Others looked at the issue somewhat differently, believing the most successful outcome would be the seamless integration and long-term settlement of these individuals within Canada.

Relatively few participants recalled having heard anything about a recent announcement from the Government of Canada regarding the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). Provided with some details regarding the plan, most commented that it appeared to be a strong initiative, with many feeling the three-year term was sufficient to determine whether these individuals would be able to return to their homeland or would need to be provided with a formalized pathway to permanent residency and citizenship in order to remain in Canada over the long-term. It was strongly felt by many that this was the right thing to do and that local communities would benefit immensely from the skills, expertise, and culture these people would bring. A number of participants mentioned they would be willing to offer up housing in the form of unused suites or additional rooms in their homes, while others were open to assisting with language classes, logistical planning, sourcing food, clothing and other supplies, or volunteering their time as a social contact for these individuals, helping them acclimatize themselves to their new surroundings.

COVID-19 Outlook (Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois- Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Participants in six groups discussed a wide range of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These included evaluations of the Government of Canada’s response to the pandemic, perspectives on public health measures and other pandemic-related initiatives, COVID-19 vaccinations for children, and the continued encouragement of Canadians to get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Performance Evaluation (Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

To begin, participants were asked to recall anything they thought the Government of Canada had done well in its response to the pandemic. Participants recalled a number of federal actions and initiatives, including consistent and transparent communication throughout the pandemic, the provision of financial supports such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the implementation of safe and effective federal public health measures and travel requirements, and the widespread and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the country.

Asked to identify areas where the Government of Canada’s response could have been improved, participants also put forward a number of suggestions. These included perceived inefficient management of the CERB and other financial supports, the need for further targeted measures towards assisting small-business owners and self-employed Canadians, as well as the continued implementation of federal vaccine mandates and other pandemic-related public health requirements which some felt to represent significant ‘overreach’ by the federal government.

Discussing whether the Government of Canada’s management of the pandemic at present was better, the same, or worse when compared to earlier stages of the pandemic, participants expressed a variety of opinions. While, on balance, more participants felt the federal government was performing worse as of late when compared to earlier in the pandemic, a smaller yet significant number felt differently, believing federal performance had either improved over time or remained relatively the same throughout. For those participants who thought the federal government’s handling of the virus was better at present compared to the initial months of the pandemic, most believed federal public health officials now knew much more about the virus and had gained a greater understanding regarding which measures were most effective at limiting and managing the transmission of COVID-19. Others spoke positively about what they perceived as a high degree of adaptability on the part of the federal government, believing it had done an effective job at evolving its approach in response to the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic. Among the larger number who believed the Government of Canada’s management of the virus had worsened as the pandemic went on, several felt the federal approach at present lacked direction, as public health officials continued to maintain public health measures and requirements these participants felt were no longer effective in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Participants from rural Manitoba and Trois-Rivières were asked an additional question regarding the overall impact of public health measures such as hand-washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing during the pandemic. Most in the group from Manitoba were of the view that these measures had little impact overall, with some feeling that in many cases they had done more harm than good. It was felt that younger Canadians in particular had struggled with mental health issues throughout the pandemic, and that measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing had only exacerbated the issue. While generally more supportive of these public health measures and their impact, some participants in the group from Trois-Rivières also recalled suffering anxiety related to following these measures.

The two groups from Quebec as well as the group from Newfoundland were also asked whether they felt the spread of COVID-19 might get worse in the near future. Almost all participants felt the worst of the pandemic had passed. Among these participants, it was felt the additional protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccine had served to drastically reduce more serious outcomes associated with the virus and, due to the high national rate of vaccination among Canadians, many believed it was now safe for communities to return to a state of greater normalcy. In addition, some also expected that even without restrictions many Canadians would continue to practice certain public safety measures such as wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing when ill and that this would contribute towards limiting the potential spread of the virus. For the small number who thought the pandemic could still get worse in the months to come, it was felt the removal of restrictions such as mask mandates and proof-of-vaccination systems in numerous provinces and territories may bring about a temporary spike in cases, leading to increased strain on the healthcare system in the short-term.

The group from Newfoundland were asked an additional question regarding vaccine mandates, and whether they felt these had been helpful or harmful tools throughout the pandemic. All participants were of the view that vaccine requirements had been largely harmful, believing they had been divisive, ineffective, and unfairly targeted those who had made the personal decision to not get vaccinated.

COVID-19 Perspectives and Behaviours (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Two groups were asked a selection of questions regarding their attitudes and behaviours regarding COVID-19. Discussing whether they were presently worried about the continued spread of COVID-19, most said the pandemic was no longer a front of mind issue for them, with many stating that they were trying to move on from the pandemic as best as possible. Expanding upon this, a number of participants reported having experienced the virus first hand in recent months, either by contracting it themselves or knowing friends or loved ones who had. Among these individuals, it was felt this experience had generally served to provide greater reassurance that the virus was manageable in most situations. A small number reported remaining at least somewhat concerned regarding the spread of COVID-19, believing the virus may continue to mutate, while a few others were primarily worried about the fallout of the pandemic, particularly the economic and mental health issues they perceived as currently impacting a large number of Canadians.

While most felt daily life was gradually returning to normal, particularly following the removal of public health measures such as mask mandates and proof-of-vaccination systems in many provinces and territories, a large number of participants indicated that they would likely continue to practice some new behaviours in the wake of the pandemic. Discussing whether they would be uncomfortable being around someone who had chosen not to get vaccinated, no participants in the group from Saskatchewan saw this as an issue, while those in the group from Montreal were roughly split on the matter. Among those who were comfortable with being around non-vaccinated individuals, it was primarily felt the decision to get vaccinated was a personal one and, given the perception that vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals can both transmit the virus, it was felt this did not make much of a difference regarding the level of safety of those who were fully vaccinated. Among those who did express some discomfort, it was felt that non-vaccinated individuals presented an increased health risk to others and for that reason they would rather not associate with them.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children (Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

The group from Trois-Rivières, comprised of parents with children under the age of 12, briefly discussed COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada in late 2021 for use in children ages 5 to 11. Most participants reported having gotten their children vaccinated and having previously discussed the matter with their children who themselves had then made the decision to receive their vaccines. A number of parents recalled taking time to explain the vaccines to their children, with some using additional resources, such as videos from public health experts on YouTube, to demonstrate the reasoning behind why one should get vaccinated. For the small number who had chosen not to get their children vaccinated, it was recalled that while they had discussed the matter with their children, they did not believe there to be an urgent need for them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and had decided as a family to remain unvaccinated for the time being.

COVID-19 Booster Dose (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

Discussing whether they had received their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, otherwise known as the ‘booster dose’, participants in these three groups had mixed responses, particularly by region. While all participants in the group comprised of seniors from Quebec’s Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region had received their third dose, only half of those from Trois-Rivières had done so. No participants in the group from rural Manitoba had received their booster dose, with only a few having gotten their initial COVID-19 vaccinations. Asked whether they had any questions regarding the booster dose, no participants in the group from Manitoba wished to discuss the matter, with many staunchly opposed to the booster as well as the COVID-19 vaccine more generally. Among the two groups in Quebec, while most were fairly comfortable regarding the booster, some had questions as to the long-term efficacy of the booster, whether annual or semi-annual doses would be required going forward, and whether the vaccine would be updated to account for newly emerging variants in the future. A small number also questioned whether the Canadian-produced Medicago vaccine would soon be more widely available and whether it would be presented as a booster dose option moving forward.

Budget 2022 (Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Six groups discussed the upcoming 2022 Budget, scheduled to be unveiled by the federal government on April 7^th, 2022.

To begin, participants were asked to identify which areas or initiatives they expected the Budget would primarily focus on. A wide range of responses were provided, including inflation, reducing federal spending, housing affordability, healthcare, reconciliation, climate change and the environment, as well as increased defence spending, particularly given the recent outbreak of conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Participants were next asked what priorities they personally felt the Government of Canada should focus on in the upcoming Budget. Once again, a number of responses were provided, including affordable housing, climate change, increased development of natural resources such as oil and gas, inflation, education, healthcare, mental health and addictions treatment, infrastructure improvements, increased defence spending, and reconciliation. A large number of participants were particularly focused on issues related to what they felt to be the rapidly rising cost of living within Canada, which several felt was becoming increasingly difficult to manage for many Canadian families.

Asked if they could think of any programs or initiatives that had been announced in previous Budgets by the Government of Canada, very few participants could. Though unable to recall any specific initiatives by name, some participants were of the impression that previous federal Budgets had focused upon key federal priorities such as child care, education, housing, healthcare, Indigenous issues, and environmentally focused initiatives.

Net-Zero Oil (Ottawa, Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Four groups discussed the topic of net-zero oil as well as other matters related to resource development within Canada. To begin, participants were asked whether they believed the world was currently facing a climate emergency. Most felt this to be the case, believing the evidence of climate change was clear in terms of what they felt to be consistently rising annual temperatures, as well as the increased prevalence of natural disasters and extreme weather events in recent years. Many recounted having personally observed this gradual warming over the course of their lifetimes, with several specifically mentioning feeling temperatures were generally warmer now than in decades past, with far less snow and ice present in the winter months.

Asked if they had previously heard the term ‘net-zero oil’, while some indicated awareness of what this might entail, a larger number of participants were mostly unfamiliar with the term. Among those who had heard of it, it was thought net-zero oil referred to the practice of reducing or offsetting emissions produced during the extraction, transportation, and refinement of oil. Several participants thought this was generally done by oil companies by employing more sustainable extraction processes, reducing emissions in other areas, or reinvesting profits from oil and other non-renewable energy sources into ‘greener’, more sustainable technology.

Discussing whether they felt it was realistic for oil companies to move towards more net-zero projects in the future, while most believed this was likely possible from a technological perspective, participants were widely pessimistic as to whether oil companies would be willing to take on the additional costs and diminished profits such a change may entail. While most were of the view that Canadians generally favoured more sustainable, environmentally-friendly resource development practices, few felt consumers would be willing to accept the significantly higher costs that may accompany them, especially given the perceived high rate of inflation and rising cost of living at present. A small number of participants felt that rather than focusing on and investing in developing net-zero extraction technology, there should be a greater emphasis on transitioning away from oil and non-renewable energy sources, believing there to be no way to safely extract and utilize these resources without incurring some forms of environmental damage.

Asked whether they felt oil companies being able to reach net-zero emissions would make a significant impact towards helping the Government of Canada reach its emissions targets in the future, many participants expressed a significant degree of uncertainty. While most thought it would certainly help, it was generally felt that net-zero extraction practices would not be enough on their own to mitigate the growing issue of climate change. Some also thought that even if Canada were able to meet its emissions targets, climate change remained a global issue and one that required all countries, including major emitters such as China and India, to participate in order for significant progress to be made. While a smaller number of participants were more positive, believing any step towards greater sustainability was a positive one, a few others questioned whether achieving net-zero oil extraction would be worth the economic costs necessary to do so. Several reiterated the view that there needed to be a general transition away from non-renewable energy, and a greater emphasis on investment in alternative sources such as wind, solar, and hydro to meet the energy needs of Canadians.

Focusing on recent gasoline prices in Canada, which were believed to have risen substantially, partially in response to the conflict in Ukraine, participants were asked whether these developments had changed their views on how the Government of Canada should manage oil production within Canada. While a number of participants, particularly in the group from Newfoundland, felt the federal government should focus on developing a greater portion of Canada’s oil resources for domestic use and export to international markets, more remained skeptical as to whether this represented the best path forward. For the significant number of participants hesitant about increasing the extraction and development of Canadian oil reserves, it was generally expressed that while Canada should be able to benefit from its non-renewable resources, there should be a greater focus on developing alternative, more sustainable energy sources. Some also felt there needed to be a greater understanding of the true environmental and economic toll of extracting oil from regions such as the oil sands in Alberta and Saskatchewan, believing this process was far more costly and complicated than many perceived it to be. To address these energy challenges going forward, a number of participants suggested the Government of Canada should focus on creating a long-term, holistic strategy with regards to how best to exploit domestic oil and gas while reinvesting revenue from these exports into more sustainable technology and energy production.

Convoy Protests & Emergencies Act (Ottawa, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users)

Four groups discussed the ‘convoy’ protests that took place in Ottawa and other parts of the country throughout February 2022. To begin these conversations, participants were asked to share their initial thoughts when reflecting back on these protests. Across all groups, a roughly similar number of individuals spoke negatively about the protests as those who expressed support, with several others more uncertain as to how they felt about the protests overall.

Among those more opposed to the protests, many felt that in pursuing their proposed goal of ending COVID-19-related mandates and establishing greater personal freedoms for Canadians the protests had unfairly infringed upon the rights of those residing near the protest sites to live in peace. This was felt to be especially the case for those residing in downtown Ottawa, who had been more severely inconvenienced by ongoing noise and other disturbances, including incessant horn honking for weeks on end. Several recalled feeling emotionally drained after following these protests and believed it to be somewhat disturbing that these scenes were unfolding in the nation’s capital and elsewhere across the country.

For participants more supportive of these demonstrations, several expressed feeling encouraged and uplifted by what they felt to be a primarily ‘grassroots’ movement of people coming together from across Canada to protest what they felt to be unfair and unnecessary public health requirements. Among those in favour of the protests, it was generally thought the gatherings had been mostly peaceful and that the protestors had been unfairly treated by law enforcement and public officials. In addition, several participants believed that the coverage of these protests in the media had been almost entirely one-sided and had portrayed the demonstrations in a disproportionately negative light.

Feeling more uncertain as to their views on these protests, a number of participants believed the entire situation had been incredibly divisive and the strong emotions on both sides of the issue left them feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Many of these participants were of the view that while each individual should have the right to free and peaceful protest, these demonstrations in many instances went too far in disrupting and negatively impacting the day-to-day lives of those living nearby.

Discussing what they felt to be the overall impact of the protests, participants were once again mixed in their opinions. Many thought these demonstrations and the groundswell of emotion they evoked amongst Canadians had left the country significantly divided. Participants were roughly divided on whether they felt policy changes would occur as a result of these protests. While a number of participants thought the protests would have little to no lasting tangible impact, several pointed to the expedient removal of mask mandates and proof of vaccination systems in provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan (among others), believing the protests had played a major part in encouraging provincial and territorial governments to take this step.

Focusing on the decision by the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act on February 14th, 2022 in response to the protests, participants were varied in their views. Several of those who felt the Act should not have been invoked were also primarily opposed to the protests and felt the Act would not have been necessary in the first place if more had been done at all levels of government to quell the protests in their initial days. Among those who were more supportive of the protests, it was felt the use of the Act represented significant overreach by the federal government. For participants in support of the use of the Act, it was believed that at the stage it was invoked it represented the best option available for the Government of Canada to put an effective end to the disruption caused by the protests.

Asked if there was anything the federal government should have done differently in response to the protests, a number of responses were provided. Many of those opposed to the protests felt greater efforts could have been taken to limit the size and scope of the protests in their initial days, rather than allowing them to become entrenched for the longer-term. Among those in support of the movement and its stated goals of ending mandates, it was felt a greater effort should have been taken by the federal government to establish a dialogue with the protestors and listen to their concerns. It was thought that the perceived lack of engagement by the federal government with the protestors only served to intensify these demonstrations.

Local Perspectives (Ottawa, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Participants from Ottawa as well as cities in close proximity to the Ontario-U.S. border engaged in further discussions regarding the Convoy protests, primarily focusing on their personal experiences and perspectives regarding these demonstrations.

While few participants felt personally affected by the protests, apart from experiencing delays and general difficulty in moving about their communities due to the influx of people and traffic, many expressed discomfort at having witnessed them unfold, with those from Ottawa particularly concerned regarding the negative impact they felt these protests had on those residing near Parliament Hill. Asked if they had changed their views regarding these demonstrations as time went on, most participants recalled being somewhat open to the protests initially, feeling that everyone was entitled the right to peaceful protest. Once the protests began, however, many became more opposed to the demonstrations, believing they represented an unfair imposition on the communities in which they were taking place. Many in the Ottawa group felt their opinion towards the protests had become more negative after they heard first-hand from personal connections living in the downtown core regarding the disturbances caused by those protesting. Discussing how the protests affected their community as a whole, many in the group from Ottawa reiterated the view that the whole situation had been incredibly divisive, and these protests had created what they felt to be a stark separation between those who were ‘for’ or ‘against’ the movement. Several reported experiencing this divisiveness first hand in interactions with friends, family, colleagues, and other acquaintances.

Almost all participants in both groups felt the convoy protests were much different in character than other demonstrations they had previously encountered. Several identified the sheer length of the protests as a major differentiator in addition to the presence of large trucks at several protest sites, which increased the difficulty encountered by law enforcement in clearing these individuals and vehicles out. A number of participants also felt these protests were generally handled differently by the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and other law enforcement officials, believing there was a more ‘hands-off’ approach taken towards these demonstrators compared to other protests in the past.

Focusing on the removal of the protests, most felt the increased presence of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the invoking of the Emergencies Act had been critical in putting an end to these demonstrations, sending a message that the federal government was taking the matter very seriously. Asked how the implementation of the Act had changed things, it was felt the arrests of key leaders and seizure of vehicles and other equipment by law enforcement had served to demonstrate the potential consequences faced by those who refused to leave the protest sites peacefully.

Discussing the protests in Ottawa in particular, participants were asked which level of government they felt was ultimately responsible for managing these protests. Though some felt the City of Ottawa and OPS should have done more to quell the protests, many reiterated calls for a stronger response from the federal government in the initial days of the protests. It was thought by many that ultimately the management of these protests was a federal responsibility, particularly given the massive protest site at Parliament Hill and the movement’s stated goal of ending vaccine requirements for truckers entering Canada. A number of participants felt there should have been a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional effort at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels towards the protests, feeling questions over jurisdiction had only served to delay the response further.

Regarding the City of Ottawa and the OPS more specifically, many felt the municipal response to the protests had been disorganized from the outset. While some felt the OPS was constrained by limited resources and personnel, a number were of the view that more could have been done by municipal leaders and law enforcement officials to request assistance and be more outspoken about the difficulties they were facing in keeping the protests under control. Very few thought the OPS would have been able to resolve the issue on its own without the support of the RCMP and the additional powers provided by the Emergencies Act. Many also expressed disappointment regarding the response from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), which they felt to have been delayed and limited in effectiveness. A number of participants felt the provincial government had done little to put an end to the protests and only became involved once cross-border trade had been blocked at numerous protest sites along the Canada/U.S. border.

Participants were generally dissatisfied with the response from the Government of Canada, believing federal officials had been relatively inactive on this front, taking several weeks to make the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act. It was felt by several that the federal government should have taken more immediate action towards addressing protests, particularly due to the (initial) federal focus of the demonstrations, as well as their close proximity to Parliament. Some also felt the Government of Canada could have provided clearer, more transparent communications to Canadians as to how it intended to respond to the protests, believing there had been little in the way of communications in this regard.

Firearms (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Three groups discussed the issue of firearms in Canada, specifically focusing on the Government of Canada’s plan to prohibit the ownership of assault-style rifles as well as offering to buy-back firearms within these categories presently owned by Canadians.

Asked whether they were aware of any recent actions by the federal government related to firearm ownership in Canada or the specific plan to ban assault-style rifles, very few recalled having heard anything. All participants in every group expressed support for this ban, with many strongly believing their ownership by individual Canadians served no practical purpose and that these weapons should never have been available for purchase in the first place. When asked whether they felt firearms purchased before the ban should still be subject to this legislation, all participants believed that they should.

Discussing additional actions the federal government could take in relation to firearm ownership in Canada, many felt more should be done to reduce the number of firearms currently owned by Canadians and strengthen the rules and regulations Canadian gun owners must adhere to. A number of participants specifically mentioned handguns as a category of firearms they felt should no longer be allowed within Canada, believing there to be no valid reason for them to be made available to civilians. It was also felt more could be done to screen prospective gun owners for mental health and other concerns that may potentially impact their ability to responsibly possess a firearm.

Healthcare (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Two groups engaged in a discussion regarding healthcare priorities for the Government of Canada as well as challenges currently facing the sector. When asked to identify issues related to healthcare in their local areas, several mentioned a perceived shortage of medical professionals and long wait times as major issues at present. Participants also described a number of additional challenges including a lack of awareness among many Canadians regarding the healthcare options and services available to them, insufficient focus on mental health supports (particularly for younger Canadians), and a lack of medical specialists in many regions, requiring a large number of those living in rural or remote communities to travel long distances to receive care for certain medical issues.

When asked if they had heard about any recent commitments or announcements made by the Government of Canada regarding healthcare, very few could recall anything. To aid in discussion participants were informed that the federal government had recently announced a number of healthcare-related priorities, including addressing health worker shortages and reducing wait times, increasing access to family health services, improving long-term and in-home care, addressing mental health and substance use, and modernizing health data management and virtual care. All participants felt these priorities were important, specifically focusing on those initiatives related to addressing personnel shortages, family health services, as well as mental health and illicit substance use.

Asked whether the federal government should be able to set priorities for the healthcare transfer payments it sends to provincial/territorial governments, most were of the view that it should primarily be the provinces and territories that determine how healthcare funding is allocated for their specific populations. It was felt by many that public health officials at the provincial and territorial level likely had a more comprehensive understanding than their federal counterparts as to the unique healthcare issues facing their respective jurisdictions.

Child Care (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

This group engaged in a discussion around child care, discussing what they felt to be the biggest challenges related to child care in their region. Across the group, two key issues were frequently cited by participants: affordability (specifically the expensive costs associated with child care) and accessibility (in terms of a lack of child care spots available to parents within the province). While no parents currently had children in child care, they recounted mixed experiences in terms of accessing child care in the recent past. While some found it relatively easy to find a spot, others expressed encountering numerous difficulties, including a perceived lack of spots and, in some instances, multi-year waitlists.

Discussing the federal government’s recent efforts to establish affordable child care agreements (averaging $10 a day, per child) with all Canadian provinces and territories, some participants unprompted mentioned the lack of such an agreement currently in place between Ontario and the Government of Canada. After being informed that Ontario was now the only province or territory at the time this group was held to have not yet reached an affordable child care agreement with the federal government, many expressed frustration that a deal had yet to be reached. Several believed the provision of affordable child care to be of immense importance to Ontario families and did not understand why an agreement had still yet to be reached by their provincial government when all other provinces/territories across Canada had done so.

Housing Affordability (Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

The topic of affordable housing was discussed in one group comprised of participants considered to be in a financially precarious situations, based on their responses to a series of questions at the time of recruiting. This group consisted of a mixture of homeowners and renters.

In general, participants were of the view that available rental accommodation in Ontario’s Halton and Peel regions was currently prohibitively expensive and out of reach for many. Many felt a lack of supply was currently a key contributor towards the upward pressure they believed was being placed on rental rates in their area. Several commented on the need for additional development of high density housing options within the region. Others mentioned the need for more oversight of rental practices, specifically increases in rental rates, illegal rental units, and discriminatory practices some felt were currently being employed by landlords.

The group also discussed a series of actions the Government of Canada could take to help make housing more affordable. Many felt the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive in particular would be helpful towards assisting more Canadians in gaining entry into the housing market. Participants were also generally supportive of a proposal for a similar branch of this incentive specifically targeted towards young, single Canadians with several of the opinion that everyone should have assistance available to them towards purchasing their first home. At the same time, participants recommended that younger Canadians should be offered additional education and tools to ensure they are able to understand and manage the financial responsibilities that accompany home ownership.

There was also modest support for other initiatives, including rental construction financing, the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund, and the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. More generally, participants expressed a favourable opinion of those activities and programs incentivizing developers to build more affordable units, lower development and construction costs (and presumably rental rates), stimulate and promote more creative approaches to developing affordable housing within Canada, as well as addressing the needs of marginalized groups. Comments also underscored participants’ desire for greater oversight of these types of programs to ensure accountability and impact.

Seniors’ Issues (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors)

The group comprising seniors from the Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec engaged in a brief discussion regarding issues specifically pertaining to seniors in Canada.

Discussing which issue they personally felt should be a top priority for the Government of Canada, many in the group mentioned the increasing cost of living for seniors, which participants felt had risen substantially in recent years. Asked to identify which issues they believed to be most important to seniors in Canada more broadly, participants shared a number of ideas. These included insufficient funding for long-term care (LTC) and other senior-focused facilities, a lack of care options allowing seniors to remain in their homes longer, as well as the perceived increasing cost of living for seniors on fixed-incomes who relied upon federal pensions such as Old Age Security (OAS), which many felt needed to be raised in order to address the high rate of inflation at present.

Questioned as to whether they had heard of anything the Government of Canada had done recently to support seniors, few could recall any actions. Among the few who could recall a recent federal action, it was mentioned that, as of July 2022, all seniors aged 75 and over would see an automatic 10% increase to their OAS pension. A number of participants reacted positively after having heard this. Asked whether they felt the federal government was currently on the right track regarding seniors’ issues, no participants felt that they were. Discussing whether the Government of Canada regularly made an effort to reach out to seniors, few felt that it did, with many believing federal attention devoted towards senior-focused issues had been somewhat inconsistent. Several were of the view that senior-focused issues were rarely top-of-mind and were often prioritized less than other areas. Discussing what the federal government could do to more effectively connect with seniors, some felt greater efforts could be taken to promote the programs and supports currently available to older Canadians. In addition, it was felt the Government of Canada should find ways to work in greater partnership with provincial and territorial governments to develop a cohesive strategy to address seniors’ issues and ways to meet their unique medical and financial needs.

Youth Issues (Calgary Young Adults)

The group composed of young adults discussed various issues impacting young people across Canada. To begin, participants were asked whether they were aware of any recent actions taken by the Government of Canada to provide greater support to younger Canadians. Across the group, unaided recall was high, with several mentioning federal subsidies for businesses to hire students during the summer (such as the Canada Summer Jobs program), grants to support those pursuing higher education (e.g., Canada Student Grants and Loans), the temporary suspension of the accumulation of interest on Canada Student Loans until 2023, and the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. Asked about financial supports from the federal government assisting younger Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, many recalled the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), while a few also mentioned the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), though not specifically by name.

Asked about where they typically received their news, most mentioned social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Expanding upon this, a few participants clarified that for news items that captured their interest on social media, they would tend to seek out further information from a more trusted news source (such as federal websites) to verify the legitimacy of the story. In regards to sources of news and information specifically related to COVID-19, some mentioned having actively avoided the news throughout much of the pandemic, feeling the constant stream of information related to the virus to have been overwhelming at times. When it came to information specifically related to COVID-19, participants tended to rely on more traditional news sources such as the CBC, as well as websites operated by the provincial or federal government.

Recall of Government of Canada advertising was modest among the group, with few recalling encountering recent communications from the federal government. In addition, very few participants felt the Government of Canada was actively making an effort to reach out to younger Canadians (and students more specifically) and rarely prioritized young people when making decisions. Participants identified numerous challenges facing young people at present, including the perceived high cost of living, increasing inflation, and pandemic related setbacks to their education, social lives, and mental health. It was widely believed the federal government could do more to address these problems going forward.

Asked what the most important issue was to them personally that the Government of Canada should be focusing on, participants identified a number of areas for focus, including ensuring every Canadian has basic necessities, developing more affordable housing options, and protecting Canada’s natural resources. Discussing the most important issue currently facing young people more generally, financial concerns were again top of mind for all participants. In particular, the cost of post-secondary education, and resultant large amounts of student debt, were viewed as issues in need of immediate attention from the federal government.

Reconciliation (Northern British Columbia)

Participants in this group engaged in a brief discussion regarding reconciliation between the federal government and Indigenous peoples throughout Canada. When initially asked what came to mind when they heard the term ‘reconciliation’, several mentioned recent discoveries related to historic residential schools, existing land claims by Indigenous peoples, as well as the potential need to revisit legislation such as the Indian Act.

Discussing actions by the federal government towards addressing reconciliation, it was felt that little in the way of tangible progress had been made in recent years. While some viewed recent settlements between the Government of Canada and Indigenous groups regarding compensation for harms done to Indigenous children in past decades by child and family services (CFS), as well as the appointment of an Inuk Governor General as steps in the right direction, it was widely felt more needed to be done by the Government of Canada regarding Indigenous issues. Asked whether the federal government was moving in the right direction regarding reconciliation, most felt that it was, though were hesitant to give an entirely positive review while fundamental issues such as the perceived lack of clean drinking water in many Indigenous communities persisted.

Asked what actions they would expect to see out of a federal government which prioritized reconciliation, participants mentioned actions such as increased financial supports for provinces/territories and municipalities to address specific Indigenous-related issues in their areas, ensuring all communities had access to clean drinking water, providing greater autonomy to on-reserve Indigenous communities and leadership, and potentially reopening overarching legislation such as the Indian Act and assisting Indigenous communities in becoming more self-sustaining going forward.

Rabies (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Participants in one group discussed the topic of rabies as well as options to control its spread throughout Canada. The group consisted of a mix of those who owned dogs as well as several who did not, including a number of participants who said they had obtained their dog through a rescue organization.

Some context about the issue of canine rabies was provided to participants, including that it causes more than 50,000 human deaths on a yearly basis. The role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in protecting against the entry of foreign animal diseases into Canada was also briefly outlined as was the responsibility of those importing animals into Canada to ensure that proper tests had been completed and the submission of necessary paperwork.

Asked whether the Government of Canada should implement a policy similar to the United States which effectively prohibits the import of dogs from countries with a high incidence of endemic canine rabies, most felt that such regulations were unnecessary. Many were also broadly opposed to any policy which would reduce or limit the number of dogs available for import into Canada. In general, participants believed that Canada’s current border controls and the rules and regulations applying to the importation of canines were sufficient in keeping both animals and Canadians safe. Participants did not view the perceived risk as great enough to warrant such a policy, nor did they see the issue as a high priority for the Government of Canada at this time, especially given that canine variants of the rabies virus were not currently present in Canada. Moreover, some participants felt that implementing a policy of this nature lacked a sense of empathy and compassion towards those dogs in dangerous situations and in need of rescue.

Local Issues (Ottawa, Newfoundland, Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Eight groups engaged in discussions regarding local issues facing their municipalities or regions. While each conversation was unique to the respective areas in which these participants reside, a number of commonalities emerged amongst the groups. All groups mentioned affordable housing as an ongoing issue in their communities, with many also identifying additional challenges such as the need for infrastructure upgrades and repairs, increased mental health and addictions treatment services, and the need for increased financial and other supports designed to assist individuals and business owners in recovering following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newfoundland

Participants in Newfoundland discussed a number of topics, including affordable housing, the fishing and aquaculture sector, as well as the extraction of oil and gas within the province.

Most believed that at present it was becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable housing across the province, attributing this to rising prices (including the cost of building supplies), low supply, rural-urban migration, and an influx of foreign home buyers. Discussing recent actions taken by the federal government to address the housing situation within the province, some recalled programs such as the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive as well as tax credits such as the Home Buyers’ Amount (HBA), though not by name. In addition to these programs, it was felt that the federal government could consider offering additional tax breaks for homeowners as well as implementing policies aimed at keeping interest rates relatively low. While supportive of the federal government’s proposed tax on foreign-owned homes sitting empty for most of the year, some questioned whether this action would serve as a sufficient enough deterrent to tangibly impact the supply and overall affordability of housing within the province.

Discussing key industries in the province, participants identified sectors such as tourism, fishing, oil and gas, construction, shipbuilding, healthcare, and aviation (air traffic control). The public service was also mentioned as a major employer, specifically in the St. John’s area. Issues related to fishing and aquaculture as well as the oil and gas sectors were explored in greater detail. Both sectors were viewed as being of critical importance to the provincial economy, although there was a sense among some that the fishing industry had declined in importance in recent years while the future of the oil and gas sector was more uncertain given what many identified as a global trend towards transitioning to ‘greener’ economies. That said, some felt the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may have the effect of bringing about a renewed interest in developing national oil and gas reserves. Discussing the performance of the federal government, it was thought by most participants that the Government of Canada had done little to support either sector.

Most participants were aware of the Bay du Nord project proposed by Equinor, with many being of the general view that Newfoundland and Labrador would stand to greatly benefit if the project went ahead. When asked whether the project should proceed, even in the event that an environmental assessment determined it would pose significant risks to the local environment, participants were somewhat mixed in their views. While some felt the project should not proceed given potential risks to the fisheries, eco-tourism, and other key industries within the Atlantic Canada region, others believed that risk mitigation plans could be developed and that the federal government should work with Equinor to address any potential environmental issues rather than rejecting the project outright.

Trois-Rivières

Participants in Trois-Rivières discussed issues related to their local community, including the ongoing matter of pyrrhotite in the foundations of local homes, perceived labour shortages in the region, and infrastructure more generally.

While few participants in the group had been personally affected, a number were aware of the issue of pyrrhotite being used in the building of numerous houses within the community, causing the foundations of these dwellings becoming cracked and damaged. Some had heard of recent compensation received by local homeowners due to the issues caused by the defective nature of this material when combined with concrete mix.

Discussing perceived labour shortages, most felt this was a growing concern in their community. While generally unaware of anything the federal government had done to address this issue apart from expanding allowances for temporary foreign workers, some participants offered suggestions regarding additional actions the Government of Canada could take. These included reviewing the requirements for certain jobs which made allowances for individuals who may meet some but not all of the skills or experience requirements for certain positions, working with provinces/territories to increase the minimum wage, as well as enforcing stricter eligibility requirements for those applying to financial assistance programs, believing some of these supports to be too widely dispersed at present.

Asked which sectors or industries required more support from the federal government, participants identified health care, education, tourism, and recreation as important areas needing further attention. Investments to improve healthcare and education were viewed by many as being directly linked to improvements in the overall quality of life for residents in the community, particularly for children.

On the topic of infrastructure, some spoke about the necessity for improvements to roadways in the area. Most were relatively unaware of any investments the federal government had made towards infrastructure in Trois-Rivières. Specifically prompted regarding recent federal government funding for High Frequency Rail in the region, few participants recalled having heard about this project. Though some questioned the need for high frequency rail service, others felt it would make travel much easier and was an initiative worth pursuing further.

Ottawa

Local issues of concern were discussed by those in Ottawa, with participants sharing their perspectives regarding a number of key sectors and industries within their region. Discussing important industries in their community, several mentioned information technology (IT) as a growing sector in the Ottawa region. Related to this, it was felt by some that a greater focus on building and using Canadian-made technology (relative to the importation of technology from foreign markets) was important. When further prompted about other sectors and industries in Ottawa, however, participant responses varied, with some identifying areas such as tourism (specifically encouraging travel within Canada), small business supports and revitalization following the pandemic, and greater funding for long-term care and healthcare in the form of increased federal transfer payments to the provinces and territories to assist them in bolstering their respective healthcare systems.

Discussing infrastructure, a large number of participants mentioned light-rail transit (LRT) as one of the most important local projects in Ottawa that the federal government could support. Related to this, several expressed concerns regarding perceived contractual issues related to the project, the lack of reliability in the current transit system, as well as the need for the LRT system to be expanded to provide greater accessibility to those living in suburban communities. Many were of the opinion that the Government of Canada should provide further assistance towards solving these issues in addition to the support it had already provided to this project, both financially and through donated federal lands. In addition to the LRT, a few participants also mentioned the need for upgrades and repairs to aging infrastructure in Ottawa, as well as retrofitting these buildings to become more environmentally friendly.

Halton and Peel Regions

The group based in the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario discussed issues specific to their local communities. Asked to identify the greatest issues or concerns facing the area, many participants mentioned current issues related to infrastructure. More specifically, it was felt that at present there was immense strain on major roads and highways, believed to be due in part to a perceived rapid increase in population within the region in recent years. Several mentioned substantial traffic as well as ongoing construction on several highways, feeling this at times made it incredibly difficult for workers to complete their daily commutes in a timely fashion. Discussing ways the Government of Canada could provide further support related to this issue, many felt the expansion of the 400-series highways should be prioritized, feeling this would serve to decrease the strain several felt was being placed on these major roadways. In addition to infrastructure, several participants also mentioned concerns regarding what they felt to be a significant lack of mental health services in their communities. This was felt to be a particular problem for children and youth who were thought to be dealing with many mental health challenges at present, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asked what they felt to be the most important sectors in their local community, a number of participants mentioned the automotive industry (including the Ford motor plant in Oakville) as well as the product delivery sector (including major companies such as Amazon and Sysco). Asked more specifically, however, about which areas required the most help or support from the Government of Canada, participants tended to place greater focus on sectors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Related to this, several felt there needed to be an active effort on the part of the federal government to support and reinvigorate small businesses and restaurants, believing these areas had been disproportionately impacted by public health requirements implemented over the course of the pandemic.

Rural Manitoba

Among those in rural Manitoba, many identified agriculture as the most important sector within their region. Asked what the Government of Canada had done to support this area, however, few could recall any recent announcements or initiatives. With this in mind, many suggested the federal government should place a greater emphasis on creating financial incentives to encourage more individuals, particularly younger Canadians, to pursue careers within the agricultural sector. In addition, several felt the federal government could provide further support to farmers through the provision of low interest loans, specifically focusing on those looking to start a new farming business or make improvements to their existing operations. In addition to agriculture, many identified tourism as an important industry in their region, with several expressing that many businesses in this sector had been impacted financially and, in some cases, forced to close permanently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussing Manitoba more broadly, participants identified ongoing issues such as rising fuel prices, growing unemployment, as well as the perceived diminished quality of rural healthcare, including what was seen by several as a dearth in mental health and addictions treatment services within the province.

Discussing broadband Internet, a large number identified the quality of high-speed Internet as an ongoing issue impacting their communities. Several were of the impression that broadband service in numerous rural areas was often unreliable and, in some cases, non-existent. Participants also shared a number of concerns related to what they felt to be a growing consolidation of Internet providers within the region, believing this had substantially driven up prices for consumers. Very few were aware of a proposed plan by the Government of Canada to invest $41 million towards improving Internet speeds in 93 rural communities throughout Manitoba.

Calgary

Participants in the group from Calgary discussed a number of issues specific to their community, including housing affordability, opioid addiction, and infrastructure needs. Focusing on housing in particular, many expressed concerns regarding what they felt to be a growing lack of affordable housing within the city. A number of participants were of the view that large-scale foreign investment had served to drive up housing prices, having the effect of making homeownership prohibitively expensive for many in the community. Several believed the federal government could do more to regulate this issue as well as place a greater emphasis on the issue of affordable housing more generally.

Focusing on issues related to opioids, most felt this issue to be especially prevalent in Calgary and strongly believed more needed to be done to improve the current situation. Participants provided various suggestions regarding potential actions the federal government could take towards addressing the problem, including the provision of additional mental health resources as well as more comprehensive education programs regarding the potential dangers of these substances and addiction more generally. Asked who they felt to be most responsible for the opioid crisis, some attributed it to overprescription on the part of physicians, while others felt the increased ease of access to illicit substances (enhanced by the ability of dealers and users to rapidly communicate via text messaging and social media) had also served to exacerbate the problem.

Discussing important local industries and sectors, participant responses were quite varied. Asked which industries they felt required the most attention from the federal government, areas such as arts and entertainment, healthcare, and transportation (specifically related to perceived supply chain issues) were mentioned among participants. Asked more specifically regarding what the City of Calgary required in terms of infrastructure, some identified the expansion of public transit services as well as the need for greater investments into affordable housing projects by both the provincial and federal governments.

Northern British Columbia

The group comprised of participants from northern British Columbia discussed a number of issues specific to their local region. To begin this conversation, participants were asked to share what they felt to be the biggest local concerns in their local communities at present. A number of responses were provided, including a perceived lack of healthcare personnel and services, the need to repair and revitalize important infrastructure such as roadways, as well as increased economic development, particularly focusing on resource extraction and other natural resources such as lumber.

Focusing on housing, many participants felt that affordable housing was an issue, both within their own communities as well as Canada more broadly. Several were of the opinion that housing options, both for prospective homebuyers as well as renters, were becoming increasing short in supply and that those which were available were becoming financially out of reach for many. Asked what the federal government had done regarding housing, no participants could recall any recent announcements or initiatives.

Discussing the issue of homelessness, many participants believed this to be a growing concern within their local communities, with some specifically focusing on Prince George, which was thought to have experienced this issue to a greater extent relative to other municipalities in the region. While most felt there to be a multitude of issues contributing to the issue of homelessness in the region, a number of participants believed mental health and addiction to be key drivers behind the perceived recent increase in those experiencing homelessness. All thought the federal government had a role to play regarding this issue, with many feeling there needed to be greater funding allocated towards affordable housing, mental health treatment, and the establishment of addiction rehabilitation facilities throughout the region.

Many also felt opioid addiction to be a major issue in their local communities and in northern British Columbia more generally. While several believed that childhood and intergenerational trauma were key drivers of addiction, a number of participants also felt opioids were too easily accessible and were currently being overprescribed by physicians. In addition, some also were of the view that the criminalization and stigma of addiction had served to further exacerbate this issue for many individuals, discouraging them from seeking treatment out of fear of being prosecuted for illicit substance use.

Asked to identify the most important sectors and industries in their local communities, many focused on the mining and natural resource sector, specifically mentioning coal, oil and gas, and logging as vital industries in their area. Discussing which sectors needed the greatest amount of support from the Government of Canada, participants identified a number of key areas, including forestry, agriculture, and tourism. Discussing infrastructure more specifically, several participants felt that more could be done to better maintain and expand northern roadways, as well as focus on repairing aging public buildings and drainage systems in communities (such as Prince George), which were currently thought to be in poor condition.

Yukon

Participants in the group from the Yukon engaged in a discussion specifically focusing on matters relevant to their local communities and the region more generally. To begin, participants were asked for their views on the current housing situation in their communities. Many pointed to what they felt to be a drastic housing shortage, believing the existing housing supply to be vastly insufficient to support the needs of those living in the territory. For the housing that was available, it was felt that home prices had risen substantially in recent years, both for prospective homebuyers as well as renters. In addition, it was thought that much of the existing housing within the region was currently in poor condition, providing few safe and affordable options, particularly for those with young children. Discussing how the housing situation had changed in recent years, a number of participants pointed to what they felt to be a rapid rise in people moving to the territory. This was believed to have exacerbated housing prices further, placing greater demand on an already limited supply. Asked who they felt was responsible for housing in the territory, most believed that it was primarily the responsibility of the Government of Yukon, along with some cooperation with governments at the municipal level. Discussing the responsibility of the federal government on this matter, many felt the Government of Canada could also play an important role on this front. It was felt by several that housing was a basic human right and that the federal government should do whatever it could to ensure all Canadians had access to safe and affordable housing.

Discussing the most important sectors in their region, participants identified areas such as mining and resource extraction, tourism, and the hospitality industry as major drivers of business in their communities. A few also were of the impression that the public sector at all levels (municipal, provincial, and federal) was a major employer within the territory. Asked to identify the most important issues currently facing the Yukon, a number of responses were provided, including housing affordability, the need for infrastructure improvements, as well as an increased need to incorporate renewable energy sources, particularly for powering and heating individual homes.

Asked specifically if they felt labour shortages were an issue in their region at present, several participants believed that they were. It was thought many businesses and sectors in the region were finding it increasingly difficult to recruit talented workers to come to the territory for work. A key driver of this issue was once again attributed to a lack of affordable housing for those considering a move to the territory, with several believing that had discouraged potential workers.

Discussing the fishing industry in the territory, very few participants recalled having recently heard anything regarding the supply of salmon in the Yukon River. For the small number that heard something, it was recalled that salmon counts had diminished considerably, though few could provide any additional details regarding the matter. After receiving clarification that current salmon levels in the river were at only 20% of typical stock, some felt this to be a major issue of concern, particularly for Indigenous communities dependent on these fish as a primary food source. Discussing potential causes, many felt climate change was a key driver of this issue. While few felt this issue would affect them personally, some expressed concern for those in these communities including Indigenous peoples and elders for whom fishing, both for sustenance and recreationally, was a major component of their lives.

Prompted to identify any recent actions by the federal government which had a positive impact on their communities, some were of the impression that the Government of Canada had devoted a considerable amount of funding to the mining sector within the territory. A few others also praised the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to Yukon communities during the pandemic, feeling this process had been handled in an efficient and equitable manner.

Focusing on climate change, several participants expressed the view that the world was currently experiencing a climate emergency. This was felt to be an issue of immense concern going forward, especially with the resumption of trade and industrial activity following the relative inaction in many sectors over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Asked if the Yukon had been impacted by climate change, many felt that it had. A number of participants identified increased flooding due to snowmelt as well as the greater risk of wildfires in the summer months as especially worrisome concerns regarding the impact of climate change in both the short and long term. While no participants could recall any recent actions by the federal government on this front, several expressed the desire to see greater collaboration between the federal and territorial governments towards devising longer-term strategies to address climate-related concerns.

MORE INFORMATION

The Strategic Counsel

Contract number: 35035-182346/001/CY

Contract award date: December 16, 2021

Contract value: $2,428,991.50

Detailed Findings

Timeline of March Announcements

To help place these focus group discussions within the context of key events occurring over the course of the month, below is a brief synopsis of important announcements, initiatives, and events which took place at the end of February and throughout March 2022.

At the end of February
- There had been 3,288,006 cases of COVID-19 in Canada with 36,099 deaths.
- Daily case counts decreased to 5,663 across Canada, a 5% decrease from the previous week.
- There were 124,995 active cases of COVID-19 in Canada.
- Over 81 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across Canada.
March 1-7
- March 1. The Government of Canada announced $100 million in additional humanitarian assistance to respond to immediate needs arising from the conflict in Ukraine. Specifically, this support is geared towards helping to provide emergency health services (including trauma care) and protection to displaced populations and essential life-saving services such as shelter, water and sanitation, and food.
- March 1. The Government of Canada announced a $10 million investment through the Green Municipal Fund’s (GMF) Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) initiative to support the redevelopment of two buildings to create 157 units primarily intended for low and moderate-income seniors and people with physical disabilities in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- March 2. The Government of Canada announced the launch of the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Arctic and Northern Challenge program, a $20 million investment to fund research projects over the next 7 years, which will aim to prioritize Northern-led research projects that have a strong focus on Northern capacity building.
- March 2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which will impose restrictions on 10 key individuals from 2 important companies in Russia’s energy sector, Rosneft and Gazprom.
- Focus group was held with the general population in Ottawa (March 3).
- March 3. The Government of Canada announced $2 million in funding, in addition to the $3 million announced in December 2021, for humanitarian assistance to the Philippines.
- March 3. The Government of Canada issued the Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff Withdrawal Order (2022-1), removing the entitlement of Russia and Belarus to the Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff (MFN) treatment under the Customs Tariff.
- March 7. The Government of Canada announced a non-repayable contribution of $9.5 million for the Réseau Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités (SADCs) and Centres d’aide aux entreprises (CAEs).
- March 7. The Government of Canada announced 26 projects that were approved for funding under the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program.
March 8-14
- March 8. The Government of Canada announced a $3.6 million investment in projects across Yukon to support Yukon’s economy and create jobs.
- March 8. The Government of Canada announced $67.5 million in international assistance funding for 8 projects designed to support women’s leadership and decision making in all aspects of climate change adaptation, mitigation and sustainable natural resource management.
- March 8. The Government of Canada announced a partnership with British Columbia’s Minister of Citizens’ Services to invest up to $830 million in support of projects that will improve access to high-speed Internet in rural, remote and Indigenous communities in British Columbia.
- Focus groups were held with the general population in Newfoundland (March 8) and seniors (ages 55 and older) in the Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region in Quebec (March 9).
- March 9. The Government of Canada announced the Seabird Island Outdoor After School Indigenous Youth Development Program and $3.1 million in funding to raise awareness and reduce involvement of Indigenous youth in at-risk activities and violent crime.
- March 9. The Government of Canada announced funding for 11 projects under the Foreign Credential Recognition Program to support skilled newcomers in gaining Canadian work experience in their profession or field of study,
- Focus group was held with parents of children under 12 in Ontario-U.S. border cities (March 10).
March 15-22
- March 15. The Government of Canada announced a $3.2 million investment in the City of Rossland, British Columbia – provided through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Sustainable Affordable Housing initiative – to support the construction of 37 housing units to address a lack of workforce housing for individuals and families in Rossland.
- March 15. The Government of Canada announced approximately $4 million in funding for 21 Francophone organizations in New Brunswick.
- Focus groups were held with the general population in the Yukon (March 15) and the general population in rural Manitoba (March 16).
- March 16. The Government of Canada announced $62.5 million in funding as part of its continued response to the humanitarian needs of the people of Yemen.
- March 16. The Minister of Public Safety announced $250 million in federal support through the Building Safer Communities Fund to help municipalities and Indigenous communities prevent gun and gang violence.
- Focus group was held with parents of children under 12 in Trois-Rivières in Quebec (March 17).
- March 17. Health Canada authorized the use of the Moderna Spikevax (50 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 to 11 years of age.
- March 17. The Government of Canada announced that beginning April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land, or water.
- March 18. The Government of Canada announced an investment of up to $113,575 in the development of biosecurity technology to help farmers mitigate the risk of disease outbreaks.
- March 21. The Government of Canada announced over $83 million in funding to support the ongoing COVID-19 response and critical development and health programming in Ghana and Senegal.
- Focus group was held with young adults, aged 18-30, in Calgary (March 22).
- March 22. The Government of Canada announced an agreement entitled, Delivering for Canadians Now, A Supply and Confidence Agreement, which aims to prioritize the following: A better healthcare system, making life more affordable for those living in Canada, tackling the climate crisis and creating good-paying jobs, a better deal for workers, reconciliation, a fairer tax system and making democracy work for people.
March 23-31
- March 23. The Government of Canada welcomed an investment of over $5 billion from a joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Stellantis N.V. to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles in Canada.
- Focus groups were held with the general population in northern British Columbia (March 23) and with those who are financially precarious in the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario (March 24).
- March 24. The Government of Canada announced $22,355,503 in funding to bring high-speed Internet to over 1,000 households in rural areas in Labrador.
- March 25. The Government of Canada announced over $6 million in funding to bring access to reliable high-speed Internet to 1,191 households in rural Ontario.
- March 28. The Government of Canada announced an investment of over $3.1 million, delivered through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), to support communities across the Northwest Territories.
- March 28. The Government of Canada announced the launch of the Special Response Fund for Trainees (Ukraine), which provides support to research trainees from Ukraine in the form of supplements to existing grants.
- March 28. The Government of Canada announced a five-year deal with the Ontario government to reduce child care fees in the short-term, deliver $10-a-day child care for Ontario families, and create 86,000 new licensed early learning and child care spaces in the province.
- Focus groups were held with heavy social media users in major centres in Saskatchewan (March 29) and racialized Canadians in the Greater Montreal Area (GMA) (March 30).
- March 30. The Government of Canada launched Canada’s Together for Learning Summit: Engaging Displaced Youth to Transform Education and announced $67.2 million in development assistance funding to support education for youth experiencing forced displacement globally.
- March 31. The Government of Canada announced an additional $50 million in funding as part of its continued response to the humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
- March 31. The Minister of Health announced an investment of over $31.1 million over six years for the Health Research Training Platform (HRTP) to support trainees and early career researchers in developing skills that will increase their employability.
- March 31. There had been 3,477,732 cases of COVID-19 in Canada with 37,626 deaths. Over 17.8 million third doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Canada.
  - Daily average case counts increased by 28% nationally during the latest 7-day period in March (Mar. 25-31).

Government of Canada in the News (All Locations)

At the outset of each group, participants were asked what they had seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada in recent days. Among all groups, the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia was top of mind, with many indicating they had been following the matter closely. Discussing what they had recently heard regarding this issue and the response by the Government of Canada and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, participants shared a number of responses, including:

Numerous troubling stories and images emerging from the humanitarian crisis. Several participants mentioned reports of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian casualties, the bombing by Russian forces of a maternity and children’s hospital in Mariupol, threats from Russian military leaders regarding potentially utilizing tactical nuclear weapons, as well as ongoing attacks on Ukrainian civilians, including those attempting to flee the country;
Attempts to respond to the potential influx of Ukrainians in Canada and accelerate the federal government’s ability to provide temporary status for these individuals. Though not by name, a number of participants made reference to the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) announced on March 17^th, 2022;
Ongoing sanctions related to Russia imposed under the Special Economic Measures Act. A number of participants had heard the Government of Canada alongside several NATO allies had placed sanctions on a number of Russian individuals and entities in response to Russia’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. In addition, some also referenced the decision by the Government of Canada to prohibit the import of Russian crude oil;
The provision of financial aid to the Ukrainian government. Several recalled hearing about a number of substantial aid packages announced by the federal government over the course of the month;
Military aid, including weapons, ammunition, artillery, and other equipment directed towards the Ukrainian defence effort and repelling the Russian invasion upon Ukrainian territory. Some also recalled hearing the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) had deployed an additional 460 troops to Latvia to bolster its presence in the region;
The reported inclusion of Canada on Russia’s ‘unfriendly nations’ list; and
The Prime Minister’s trip to Europe to discuss the coordinated response among NATO allies towards the Russian incursion. Spanning from March 6^th to March 11^th, 2022, the trip included visits to the United Kingdom, Latvia, Germany, and Poland.

More generally, a number of participants commented on what they felt to be a double-standard regarding how much attention this crisis had received both from public officials and the media at large compared to other conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Syria. A few participants also reported having made the decision to take a break from following news related to the Ukraine conflict, as they felt the destruction and human cost of the crisis to be emotionally overwhelming. A smaller number of groups engaged in longer discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict, which are covered in a later section of this report.

In addition to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, many participants mentioned the Government of Canada’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as anticipated changes to existing COVID-19 public health measures. Several recalled hearing that the federal government had announced it would soon be loosening a number of requirements related to international travel, including the announcement (effective April 1^st, 2022) of the removal of federal pre-entry test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers. A number of participants also recalled hearing that federal agencies and departments had received approval to begin gradually increasing their in-person building occupancy, potentially bringing a large number of federal employees back to the office after almost two years of working from home. In addition, some recalled encountering federal advertisements on television, radio, and social media related to the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This included ads related to vaccines for children (aged 5 to 11), as well as encouraging more Canadians to get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A few participants also mentioned the recent implementation (and subsequent removal) of the Emergencies Act by the Government of Canada in response to the trucker convoy protests which took place in Ottawa and other parts of the country throughout February 2022.

Many participants also recalled a wide variety of other recent actions and announcements from the federal government unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. These included:

The decision by the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates by 0.25% in response to concerns regarding the perceived high rate of inflation in recent months;
General concerns regarding the increasing cost of essential goods and services such as groceries, housing, and fuel prices. Many participants recalled recently encountering exceptionally high gas prices and believed these rising costs were at least in part due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia;
The launch on March 3^rd 2022 of the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDA), an initiative primarily designed to assist small and medium-sized businesses to digitize their operations as well as boost their online e-commerce capacity;
The upcoming release of the federal government’s Budget 2022, scheduled to be tabled on April 7^th2022; and
The announcement on March 22^nd, 2022 of Delivering for Canadians Now, A Supply and Confidence Agreement, a deal between the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party that will last until Parliament rises in June 2025.

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Two groups engaged in further discussions regarding the Government of Canada, specifically focused on which areas they felt the federal government should be prioritizing going forward. Asked which issues they felt the Government of Canada should be focusing on at present, participants provided a number of responses, including:

Expanding and bolstering the healthcare system, including ensuring provinces and territories are able to meet the physical and mental health demands of their citizens;
Improving the quality of education at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary level. This was felt to be an important national priority by a number of participants;
Ensuring the presence of affordable housing options across Canada, both for homeownership as well as in rental markets;
Curbing inflation and focusing on reducing federal spending. A number of participants were concerned about what they believed to be an exceptionally high amount of federal spending throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;
Further emphasis on developing federal programs and initiatives aimed towards protecting the environment and reducing the impacts of climate change in both the short and long-term; and
Continuing efforts towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples living within in Canada. This was felt to be particularly important given recent discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across Canada.

Asked what they had seen, read, or heard about recent actions by the Government of Canada regarding any of these priorities, few participants could recall anything. It was felt by many that the COVID-19 pandemic had taken up much of the energy and resources of the federal government over the past two years and, as a result, minimal action had been taken on a number of other important issues. A few participants, however, were of the view that some progress had recently been made towards addressing environmental priorities, including a pledge by the federal government to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as well as the introduction of other environmentally-focused initiatives such as the Incentives for Zero-Emissions Vehicles (iZEV) program (though not mentioned by name). A small number also recalled federal efforts to strengthen the capacity of the healthcare system through the provision of increased transfer payments from the Government of Canada to provinces and territories in order to assist in combating COVID-19.

Discussing the overall performance of the federal government towards addressing these identified priorities, while a small number felt the Government of Canada was on the wrong track, most were either uncertain or believed it was difficult to provide a proper evaluation given the ongoing complications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, it was felt the response to the COVID-19 pandemic would continue to be a major federal priority, along with other issues such as climate change and the environment, inflation, employment, as well as continued efforts to coordinate a response with NATO allies regarding the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

News Sources and Preferences (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users)

One group, comprised of participants identified as prolific social media users, were asked additional questions regarding the sources they typically use to receive daily news. While several participants reported frequently using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to get their news, most also continued to utilize more traditional media such as television (CBC, CTV, Global News), radio, and newspapers (both in print form, as well as via apps). Asked whether they felt social media platforms were generally reliable as a source for news, most felt this was not the case. Expanding upon this, some expressed the view that headlines on social media were often written to be inflammatory or attention-grabbing. In addition, it was also felt that news stories on social media were often presented through lenses or narratives aligning with the personal views of the poster, skewing how these news items may be received. With this in mind, it was generally felt that while social media was beneficial in its ability to spotlight a wide diversity of perspectives, information found on these platforms should be verified through other trusted sources, such as official websites operated by federal or provincial and territorial governments.

Coastal GasLink (Northern British Columbia)

Participants in Northern British Columbia (B.C.) engaged in an additional discussion regarding the Coastal GasLink project, a natural gas pipeline currently under construction spanning from Dawson Creek to Kitimat B.C. While few reported following the matter closely, a number of participants recalled having recently heard about a number of issues related to the project, including criticism in the media regarding potential environmental risks, unresolved land claims with Indigenous peoples regarding the territory upon which the pipeline was being built, as well as reports of a recent armed attack by protestors on employees and security guards working at a project site near Houston, B.C. Several participants expressed frustration at these developments, believing too many outside voices were currently weighing in on what they felt to be a primarily local issue. It was felt by a number of participants that many who criticized the project lacked a nuanced understanding of the various potential benefits and drawbacks presented by the project. Asked if they had heard anything about recent calls from activists for Canadian banks such as the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) to halt future investments into the project, most participants recalled having heard at least something about this.

To aid in discussion, it was clarified that the purpose of the Coastal GasLink project was to deliver natural gas from the Dawson Creek area to a facility near Kitimat, where it would then be converted to a liquefied state – also known as liquefied natural gas (LNG), before being exported to global markets. Asked whether the federal government had a role to play in this project, all participants felt that it did, stating that the management of Canada’s energy resources and the ability to export them to global markets was an issue of national importance. Several expressed the opinion that the Government of Canada should take additional efforts to dispel what they believed to be misinformation regarding the project. It was widely felt the project had been portrayed unfairly in a negative light both by its opponents as well as in the media at large. A few also thought the federal government should work to engage in greater collaboration with the Government of British Columbia, believing the establishment of a cohesive strategy on this issue at both the provincial and federal level would help to ease tensions regarding the construction of this pipeline.

Discussing what they would like to see happen regarding the Coastal GasLink project, most participants expressed support for the project with some feeling strongly about the potential positive benefits it could bring to their local communities as well as to Canada as a whole. For those in support of the project, they expressed that it had been carefully vetted, gone through all the official approval channels, and had gained the approval of numerous local Indigenous leaders and communities. A few were of the view that Indigenous peoples would likely benefit financially from this project, particularly given a recent announcement (on March 10th, 2022) of the sale of a ten percent equity stake in the project to the CGL First Nations Limited Partnership and the FN CGL Pipeline Limited Partnership, two entities created to represent the 16 Indigenous First Nations situated within the project corridor. Locally, it was felt this project would also serve as a strong driver of employment, creating numerous jobs for those living within the area. Some also felt the project could potentially bring Canada closer to becoming more energy independent domestically, which was felt to be particularly important given the higher fuel costs witnessed in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. For the few who were more skeptical or opposed to the project, it was felt the potential environmental risks needed to be balanced with the projected economic benefits, and that greater assurances needed to be provided that the construction and operation of the pipeline would not cause long-term damage to the coastal environment and marine ecosystem. A small number felt that rather than focusing on the development of fossil fuels, the Government of Canada should be encouraging a greater shift towards more sustainable energy sources and devote greater financial resources to these projects instead.

Prince Rupert Port Expansion (Northern British Columbia)

The group with participants living in Northern British Columbia also briefly discussed a recent plan by the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) to double its capacity by constructing a second container terminal, a move which would significantly increase the PRPA’s volume of trade with Asia-Pacific markets. Asked if they had heard anything about this, slightly less than half of participants indicated they had. To clarify, participants were informed the PRPA had recently reached an agreement with DP World (a multinational logistics company specializing in cargo logistics and terminal operations) to conduct a number of studies on the proposed site for this expansion. These studies would focus on minimizing environmental and community impacts, improving the resilience of Canadian supply chains, and ensuring the project’s full integration into the Port’s intermodal ecosystem.

Asked for their thoughts on the project, all participants thought it sounded like a strong initiative, though a few felt they did not know enough about the subject to provide a proper evaluation. Many felt the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert would be beneficial in that it would likely remove congestion from other busy ports such as the Port of Vancouver, while also driving higher employment and economic growth in Prince Rupert and other nearby communities. A few were of the view that similar projects should be undertaken in other locations such as Port Alberni and Nanaimo, serving to increase Canada’s trade capacity even further. Despite being largely in favour of this potential project, a few concerns were raised related to its construction and operation. Several participants commented on what they felt to be the generally poor condition of highways leading in to Prince Rupert, potentially causing difficulties in transporting goods and supplies between the Port and the rest of the country. With this in mind, some pointed to a separate plan by the Canadian National Railway Company (CN Rail) to expand its railway infrastructure between Prince Rupert and Prince George as a necessary component to the success of the Port’s expansion. A small number felt environmental concerns also needed to be taken into account, though most were of the view that the environmental impact of this project would likely be relatively minimal. While many said the federal government should support this project going forward, some believed this assistance should be accompanied by well-articulated regulations regarding safety protocols and ways to mitigate any potential negative impacts on the environment and to local communities.

Ukraine (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Seven groups engaged in extended discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine which began with the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory on February 24^th, 2022. These conversations focused primarily on awareness of recent developments related to the conflict, perceptions of the Government of Canada’s response to the crisis, as well as efforts by the federal government to assist and accommodate Ukrainian citizens displaced by the conflict.

Government of Canada Response (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Participants in six groups discussed the Government of Canada’s ongoing response to the crisis. Asked what they had recently seen, read, or heard regarding federal actions related to the situation in Ukraine, participants mentioned the following:

Collaboration with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to coordinate a comprehensive response following the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory. Many participants mentioned hearing about the implementation of numerous sanctions on Russian individuals and entities by the Government of Canada, working in concert with allies such as the United States and the United Kingdom. A number of participants also recalled the Canadian prime minister’s recent trip to several European countries to meet with numerous leaders face-to-face and discuss the evolving situation. In addition, some mentioned the federal government’s diplomatic efforts more generally, expressing pride at what they viewed as strong leadership from federal representatives who had publicly spoken out against this invasion and encouraged a strong response among NATO allies;
The provision of financial and military aid to assist Ukraine and its defence forces in their efforts to repel the Russian incursion. A large number of participants were aware of the announcements of various federal financial aid packages and other humanitarian assistance to Ukraine as well as the provision of military equipment, artillery, weapons, and medical supplies to assist in the defence effort; and
Humanitarian efforts to assist and provide safe haven to Ukrainian citizens displaced by the conflict. Several recalled hearing that the Government of Canada had accelerated the temporary residence pathway for those fleeing the conflict in efforts to bring these individuals to Canada and assist them in reuniting with family members wherever possible.

Perspectives and Forecast (Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Five groups continued these discussions further, sharing their opinions regarding the crisis, its personal impact on them, as well as how they expected the conflict may unfold in the weeks and months to come. Discussing the response from the Government of Ukraine, including a virtual address delivered by the Ukrainian president to the Canadian Parliament on March 15^th, 2022, participants were asked if they were aware of any specific actions Ukraine had requested of the Government of Canada in recent days. A wide range of responses were offered, including:

Implementing a ‘no-fly zone’ above Ukraine – Several participants recalled hearing about urgent requests from the Ukrainian president as well as other Ukrainian officials for NATO to ‘close the sky’ over Ukraine and no longer allow Russian aircraft within Ukrainian airspace. Though wishing to help in whatever way possible, many participants advised caution in pursuing this strategy believing that implementing a no-fly zone could put NATO forces in direct confrontation with the Russian military. Several were worried such an action could provoke a wider military response from Russia and potentially further escalate the conflict, drawing NATO forces into direct combat;
Increased financial assistance and military support – Many also recalled Ukrainian requests for additional support in the form of financial aid and humanitarian relief as well as more direct support from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). A few participants were of the view that Ukrainian leaders had requested the increased deployment of CAF personnel in the region and once again expressed concern about coming into direct conflict with Russian forces; and
Stricter sanctions and restrictions on Russian individuals and entities – A number of participants mentioned having heard calls for more comprehensive economic sanctions to be placed on Russian individuals and firms, further limiting their ability to conduct business outside of Russia. A few also recalled a request from the Ukrainian president for the Government of Canada to suspend cooperation with Russian athletes, including discontinuing the granting of visas or work permits to these individuals.

Almost all participants felt these requests, while possibly placing the Government of Canada in a difficult situation, were understandable given the devastation the Ukrainian people had suffered to date as a result of the Russian invasion. While participants reiterated a desire for Canada to assist in any way it could, most remained hesitant about the CAF or NATO taking a more direct role in defending Ukraine. They expressed concern that this could escalate the conflict further and potentially put Canadian lives at risk.

Asked if they felt personally impacted by the conflict, while few reported being directly affected, several felt the crisis in Ukraine had negatively impacted their mental health. This was particularly felt to be the case for those who had personal connections to Ukraine and were witnessing the effects of the conflict on a far more visceral level. While several mentioned the indirect impact of higher fuel costs throughout Canada in response to the conflict, most felt this to be relatively inconsequential compared to the widespread human tragedy which was unfolding in Ukraine.

Discussing the potential long-term ramifications of this crisis, several were of the view that it would take decades for Ukraine to rebuild its nation and recover economically and socially in the wake of the destruction that had already taken place. It was felt by some this conflict would cause generational trauma among the Ukrainian people and their loved ones and that many of these individuals would need ongoing mental health support. Many expected there to be an ongoing humanitarian crisis as other nations, including Canada, worked to find ways to assist and accommodate those fleeing the conflict. A number of participants shared concerns that if nothing was done to halt Russia’s advance into Ukraine, it was possible that other neighbouring countries could also fall under attack. A few expressed the view that this conflict represented a major test for alliances such as NATO in its ability to maintain stability within Europe and cohesion among its membership. Related to the conflict, some also expressed concerns about possible food and essential supply shortages, particularly in nations which had previously relied upon Ukrainian and/or Russian exports.

Focusing on Canada more specifically, a few thought it likely that calls for greater federal defence spending may become more prominent, particularly if the CAF were to take on a more direct role in the conflict. Some also expected there to be a larger focus on increasing the capacity for producing goods and services domestically within Canada, with a greater emphasis on self-sustainability and less dependency on imports. A few also expressed concerns regarding the mental health of younger Canadians, feeling the outbreak of conflict on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic could be overwhelming for those coming of age during this period.

Asked how they felt the conflict may unfold going forward, most felt it was difficult to predict what may happen, feeling there were a multitude of interrelated factors to consider. This being said, few felt the conflict would end soon, with many reiterating concerns regarding potential escalation into a larger conflict and the possible deployment of nuclear weapons by Russia.

Discussing whether there was more they felt the federal government could be doing in response to the crisis, several felt the Government of Canada should work with its allies to continue to put diplomatic pressure on Russia to end the conflict. There was strong support for maintaining a united front against Russian aggression. While a few were not necessarily opposed to increasing the CAF presence in the region, they felt this would have to be done very cautiously and with clear guidelines regarding the specific role of Canada’s military personnel. Rather than increase its physical presence in the region, several thought the Government of Canada should prioritize welcoming as many Ukrainians fleeing the conflict as possible, believing that Canada could assume a leadership role on this front.

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Four groups were asked a series of questions specifically focusing on the Government of Canada’s readiness to accommodate a potential influx of Ukrainians fleeing conflict. To begin, participants were asked if they felt their own communities (and Canada more generally) were sufficiently prepared to receive an influx of Ukrainians. In response, about as many participants felt their communities were prepared as expressed concern that their community may not be able to accommodate this. Regionally, while almost all in the group from Montreal and most from northern British Columbia felt their communities were ready receive Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, many in the groups from Calgary and the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario were more hesitant, feeling local resources in their area were already somewhat depleted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Asked if they felt their communities were welcoming places, almost all participants said that they were.

Among those who were more uncertain regarding their community’s readiness to accept Ukrainians fleeing the war, housing was the most commonly mentioned concern. It was felt that given the perceived lack of housing in many regions throughout the country, a sudden influx of individuals in need of safe and affordable housing could serve to exacerbate this problem further. In addition to housing, many were also worried about potential pressure on other essential services and supplies which some felt were already under-resourced or facing shortages, specifically with respect to healthcare services. A few were also uncertain as to whether there would be sufficient employment opportunities for those arriving, particularly given the language difficulties they felt many would likely encounter.

By contrast, many of those who felt their communities were well-prepared to accommodate those fleeing the conflict took the view that this influx of individuals represented a vital opportunity for Canada, providing the Canadian economy with a boost of talented workers who could immediately contribute in a number of industries and sectors. In addition, it was felt that Canada’s unique position as host to the world’s second highest Ukrainian diaspora (particularly in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) meant that many Canadians would be willing to take individuals and families directly into their homes, providing them with a strong support network and sense of community immediately upon arrival.

Irrespective of whether they felt their communities were prepared to accommodate this influx, many participants reiterated the view that assisting these individuals and providing them with a safe haven was of critical importance. They felt that, for humanitarian reasons, the federal government should strive to take in as many Ukrainians as possible. A few also shared the opinion that this situation was likely to be temporary, believing that most of those displaced by the conflict would ultimately wish to return to Ukraine as soon as it was safe to do so.

Asked what would need to happen for the Government of Canada to be better prepared to accommodate those displaced by the conflict, participants provided a number of responses. These included:

Detailed, long-term planning to address this temporary increase in immigration, particularly focusing on the provision of housing for these individuals. Many felt the federal government should work with the provinces and territories to create a systematic plan to source affordable housing for those arriving from Ukraine and which could accommodate these individuals while not placing a large degree of additional strain on local housing markets. It was felt that the federal government could spearhead this effort by creating a database of Canadians willing to offer open up unused suites or spare rooms in their own homes to arriving Ukrainians;
The development of programming designed to assist these individuals in building a life in their new communities. Participants felt that the provision of English and French language classes, child care, employment opportunities, and a support network within the local community could go a long way towards helping these individuals start anew in Canada;
Bolstering provincial and territorial healthcare systems to handle the increased demand in communities taking in a large number of Ukrainians. It was expected that many of those fleeing conflict would likely have medical issues requiring treatment and that this could put additional strain on healthcare systems which were already under considerable strain due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; and
Ensuring the provision of mental health services for any individuals requiring treatment upon arrival in Canada. Many participants thought that, given the devastation Ukrainians have witnessed firsthand, there would be a need for long-term mental health support to assist them in recovering from the immense trauma they had suffered.

Discussing what they felt success would look like when it came to accommodating Ukrainians fleeing from the conflict, a number of participants were of the view that success would be represented by the safe return of these individuals to their homeland at some point after the conflict had ended. Others looked at the issue somewhat differently, believing the most successful outcome would be the seamless integration and long-term settlement of these individuals within Canada. It was felt by several that these individuals could contribute greatly to the Canadian economy and the long-term prosperity of the country going forward.

Relatively few participants recalled having heard anything about a recent announcement from the Government of Canada regarding the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). Regionally, awareness was more evident in the group held in northern British Columbia while it was lower among participants in Alberta and Ontario. In Montreal no participants recalled having heard anything about this. To assist in conversation, participants were shown the following information:

The Government of Canada created the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) to help Ukrainians and their family members come to Canada as quickly as possible and to provide them with the ability to work and study while in Canada.

For Ukrainian nationals outside Canada, the CUAET gives them a visitor visa to come to Canada temporarily, until it is safe to return to Ukraine. This visitor visa also gives them the option to apply for a work permit at the same time or to be given status as a student if they are under 18 and want to study in Canada. They can stay in Canada for up to 3 years at a time or until their passport expires. When their status in Canada is about to expire, they will need to apply to extend their stay.

Asked whether they supported this plan, most commented that it appeared to be a strong initiative based on the description provided, with many feeling the three-year term was sufficient to determine whether these individuals would be able to return to their homeland or would need to be provided with a formalized pathway to permanent residency and citizenship in order to remain in Canada over the long-term. It was strongly felt by many that this was the right thing to do and that local communities would benefit immensely from the addition of skills, expertise, and culture these people would bring. At the same time, a few participants expressed frustration that the initiative, as described, was not detailed enough. It was felt that more needed to be done to coordinate housing, employment opportunities, and accessible healthcare services for these individuals. A few participants were also concerned about the criteria requiring those fleeing conflict to have an active passport, especially considering the immense difficulties many Ukrainians would have at this time in obtaining official documents from their government.

Across the board, most participants in the groups from northern British Columbia, Calgary, Montreal and the Peel and Halton regions of Ontario indicated they would willingly volunteer to support Ukrainians arriving in their respective communities. While a number of participants mentioned they would be willing to offer up housing in the form of unused suites or additional rooms in their homes, others were open to assisting with language classes, logistical planning, sourcing food, clothing and other supplies, or volunteering their time as a social contact for these individuals, helping them acclimatize themselves to their new surroundings. For the small number who felt they would be unable to volunteer, in most cases this was primarily due to limited time, availability and resources, rather than a lack of desire to support those arriving from Ukraine.

COVID-19 Outlook (Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois- Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Participants in six groups discussed a wide range of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These included evaluations of the Government of Canada’s response to the pandemic, perspectives on public health measures and other pandemic-related initiatives, COVID-19 vaccinations for children, and the continued encouragement of Canadians to get their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Performance Evaluation (Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

To begin, participants were asked to recall anything they thought the Government of Canada had done well in its response to the pandemic. Participants recalled a number of federal actions and initiatives, including:

Consistent and transparent communication from the federal government and public health officials throughout the pandemic. It was expressed by a number of participants that the Government of Canada had done a good job of keeping Canadians informed and had shown strong leadership amidst the uncertainty of the initial months of the pandemic;
Financial supports such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and other programs targeted towards helping small businesses and employees who were felt to have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic over the past two years. Some also commented on what they viewed as the expedient distribution of supports by the federal government (such as the CERB), assisting many Canadians in financially navigating the early stages of the pandemic. A small number of participants living on-reserve in the group from rural Manitoba specifically recalled what they viewed as the Government of Canada’s consistent provision of financial support to their communities throughout the pandemic, providing assistance they felt had been immensely helpful;
The implementation of safe and effective federal public health measures and travel requirements at various stages throughout the pandemic. It was thought by several that the federal government had reacted quickly to halt non-essential travel and implement mandatory testing and other travel-related requirements both in the initial stages of the pandemic, as well as in response to the detection of new variants of concern such as Delta and Omicron. A few participants, who had travelled extensively as essential workers throughout the pandemic, expressed feeling safe and protected while travelling into and out of Canada at various points over the past two years;
The widespread and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. It was felt the Government of Canada had performed well when it came to coordinating the delivery of vaccines to provinces and territories in a manner that was efficient and equitable. Some also commented on the relative high rate of vaccination among Canadians compared to other jurisdictions such as the United States;
The procurement and distribution of COVID-19 rapid antigen testing kits to the provinces and territories. This was felt to have been particularly helpful during the recent Omicron wave, during which the highly transmissible Omicron variant led to record numbers of Canadians contracting the virus; and
The distribution of federal healthcare transfer payments and emergency funding to Canadian provinces and territories throughout the pandemic, assisting provincial/territorial public health departments in their ability to effectively manage and respond to COVID-19.

Asked to identify areas where the Government of Canada’s response could have been improved, participants also put forward a number of suggestions. These included:

Perceived inefficient management of the CERB and other financial supports. Several expressed frustration at what they felt to be a lack of oversight related to the distribution of financial supports throughout the pandemic, believing ineligible individuals had been able to receive this financial assistance. Some also were of the view that benefits such as the CERB had contributed to what they believed to be a labour shortage in many Canadian communities, stating that many of those who had accessed the CERB and other financial supports no longer desired to return to work;
The need for further targeted measures towards assisting small-business owners, self-employed Canadians, and those working in industries disproportionately financially impacted throughout pandemic (e.g., restaurants, hospitality, etc.). It was felt that while the Government of Canada had provided some assistance in this regard, in many cases this had been insufficient to sustain these individuals and businesses throughout the pandemic;
A lack of cohesion in pandemic management strategies across the territories and provinces. While it was understood by most that healthcare provision was primarily a provincial/territorial responsibility, some felt the federal government should have taken a more outspoken leadership role, communicating to provinces and territories how best to combat COVID-19; and
The implementation of vaccine mandates and other pandemic-related public health requirements. A number of participants were of the view this represented ‘overreach’ on the part of the federal government and unfairly infringed upon those who had made the personal choice to not get vaccinated for COVID-19. As a result of this, some felt they had lost their sense of trust in the federal government.

Discussing whether the Government of Canada’s management of the pandemic at present was better, the same, or worse when compared to earlier stages of the pandemic, participants expressed a variety of opinions. While, on balance, more participants felt the federal government was performing worse as of late when compared to earlier in the pandemic, a smaller yet significant number felt differently, believing federal performance had either improved over time or remained relatively the same throughout. Regionally, opinions between the different groups varied a great deal. While the groups from Newfoundland and Trois-Rivières mostly felt the performance of the Government of Canada had improved or stayed the same, most in the group from Quebec’s Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region believed federal management had worsened as of late. The group from rural Manitoba took an even more negative stance, with virtually all participants of the opinion that federal management of the pandemic had been poor at all stages.

For those participants who thought the federal government’s handling of the virus was better at present compared to the initial months of the pandemic, most believed federal public health officials now knew much more about the virus and had gained a greater understanding regarding which measures were most effective at limiting and managing the transmission of COVID-19. Others spoke positively about what they perceived as a high degree of adaptability on the part of the federal government, believing it had done an effective job at evolving its approach in response to the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic. Among those who said the Government of Canada’s management of the pandemic had remained relatively consistent throughout, it was believed that while the specific measures utilized may have changed at times, the level of effort and science-based approach from federal public health officials had continued at a high level throughout.

Among the larger number who believed the Government of Canada’s management of the virus had worsened as the pandemic went on, several felt the federal approach had lost direction as the government continued to implement public health measures and requirements that participants felt were no longer effective in curbing the spread of COVID-19. Specifically, a number of participants expressed disappointment regarding the continued implementation of federal vaccine-related mandates, particularly those limiting the ability of non-vaccinated Canadians to travel via air or by rail. A few also felt those who had lost their jobs due to their lack of compliance with federal vaccine mandates had been unfairly treated by the Government of Canada, believing individuals careers should not have been impacted by what they perceived to be personal health decisions.

Participants next engaged in an exercise where they were asked to come up with a single word or phrase to describe their views regarding the COVID-19 restrictions in place in their regions. A wide variety of responses were provided, with a large number of participants expressing relief that public health requirements in their regions had either been removed or were expected to be in the near future. At the same time, however, others shared concerns that restrictions in their area were being eliminated too rapidly and worried that it could result in a spike in positive case numbers and potential hospitalizations. Regionally, while those from Newfoundland, Trois-Rivières, and the Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec were more or less evenly split among those feeling positive or negative regarding restrictions in their respective areas, those in the group from Manitoba were almost entirely negative in their views towards COVID-19 public health requirements.

Among the many feeling more frustrated regarding restrictions or believing they had run their course, several selected positive words such as ‘excited’, ‘relieved’, and ‘better’ to express their happiness at the removal or anticipated removal of restrictions in their region. Many felt this development had been long overdue, believing existing restrictions were no longer effective at controlling the spread of COVID-19, especially given the reported high rate of transmissibility of newer variants such as Omicron. Several participants specifically pointed to the removal of provincial/territorial indoor public mask mandates as something they were especially looking forward to, feeling this would go a long way towards re-establishing a greater sense of normalcy in their day-to-day interactions.

For the number of participants who viewed restrictions more positively, words such as ‘satisfied’, ‘good’, ‘fair’, and ‘comfortable’ were used to describe the public health measures in place in their areas. Among these participants, it was largely felt the restrictions in their regions (such as mask mandates and proof of vaccination systems) had struck a reasonable balance between upholding individual liberties while promoting public safety, and had not represented much of an inconvenience upon their daily activities. With this in mind, it was felt by several that the removal of restrictions should have been undertaken at a more gradual pace, rather than occurring all at once.

For the smaller number of participants more uncertain or ambivalent about the restrictions in their area, terms such as ‘tired’, ‘fine’, and ‘questionable’ were used. While some were of the view that the presence of restrictions did not impact them much either way, others were more conflicted on the matter, saying that while they often were frustrated by restrictions they still felt they were necessary to have in place at the time. A few participants felt the restrictions had been somewhat contradictory at times, mentioning aspects such as the closure of gyms and fitness studios while restaurants and malls remained open, as well as the decision by some provinces (such as Newfoundland) to remove its general indoor mask mandate while continuing to require masks in public institutions such as primary and secondary schools.

Participants from rural Manitoba and Trois-Rivières were asked an additional question regarding the overall impact they felt public health measures such as hand-washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing had during the pandemic. Most in the group from Manitoba were of the view that these measures had little impact overall, with some feeling that in many cases they had actually done more harm than good. A number of participants expressed concerns for what they saw as divisiveness and anxiety exhibited by many due to the pandemic. It was felt that young Canadians in particular had struggled with mental health issues throughout the pandemic, and that measures such as mask-wearing had only exacerbated the issue. While generally more supportive of these public health measures and their impact, some participants in the group from Trois-Rivières also recalled suffering anxiety related to following these measures. Expanding on this, a few specifically mentioned adopting rigorous sanitizing and hand washing practices, which they felt had served to reinforce pre-existing phobias they held regarding the spread of viruses and bacteria.

The two groups from Quebec as well as the group from Newfoundland were also asked whether they felt the spread of COVID-19 might get worse in the near future. Almost all participants felt the worst of the pandemic had passed. Regionally, slightly more than half of those in the group from Newfoundland and all participants in both Quebec groups expected the state of the pandemic would most likely improve going forward. Among these participants, it was felt the additional protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccine had served to drastically reduce more serious outcomes associated with the virus and, due to the relatively high national rate of vaccination among Canadians, many believed it was now safe for communities to return to a state of greater normalcy. In addition, some also expected that even without restrictions many Canadians would continue to practice certain public safety measures such as wearing face masks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing when ill and that this would contribute towards limiting the potential spread of the virus. For the small number who thought the pandemic could still get worse in the months to come, it was felt the removal of restrictions such as mask mandates and proof-of-vaccination systems in numerous provinces and territories may bring about a temporary spike in cases, leading to increased strain on the healthcare system in the short-term. Asked whether they felt COVID-19 would still be an issue one year from now, while some were uncertain as to whether it would still technically be classified as a ‘pandemic’, virtually all participants felt the virus would continue to be an issue to some degree for several years to come, though gradually fading into the background. It was thought by some that COVID-19 booster doses may be required on an annual basis to provide effective ongoing protection against the virus and any new variants that may emerge. Asked to consider what daily life would likely be like, assuming COVID-19 would still be an issue one year from now, most participants felt it was likely daily life would be able to occur relatively normally, with public health officials managing the virus in a similar way to other common illnesses and influenza. While many felt it was possible restrictions may be reintroduced on an intermittent basis at some point in the future, most hoped this would not come to pass, expressing a desire to live with the virus as best as possible. A small number felt differently, believing it would likely be very difficult to return to the ‘old normal’ given the continued perceived threat of the virus. As such, these individuals felt practices such as wearing masks and social distancing should remain in place for the foreseeable future.

The group from Newfoundland were asked an additional question regarding vaccine mandates, and whether they felt these had been helpful or harmful tools throughout the pandemic. All participants were of the view that vaccine requirements had been largely harmful, believing they had been divisive, ineffective, and unfairly targeted those who had made the personal decision to not get vaccinated. Some felt more emphasis should have been placed on acknowledging the perceived protection provided by natural immunity gained by those who had previously recovered from COVID-19, while others were of the opinion that public health officials should have placed a greater emphasis on encouraging Canadians to live healthier lifestyles in general, rather than focusing on vaccines as the primary means to protect Canadians.

COVID-19 Perspectives and Behaviours (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

These two groups were asked a selection of questions regarding their attitudes and behaviours regarding COVID-19. Asked whether they were worried, at present, about the continued spread of COVID-19, most said the pandemic was no longer a front of mind issue for them, with many stating that they were trying to move forward as best as possible. Expanding upon this, a number participants reported having experienced the virus first hand in recent months, either by contracting it themselves or knowing friends or loved ones who had. Among these individuals, it was felt this experience had generally served to provide greater reassurance that the virus was manageable in most situations. Some also expressed feeling fatigued in general regarding COVID-19, and felt that two years into the pandemic they no longer had the energy to remain as concerned as they had been in previous stages. A small number reported being at least somewhat concerned regarding the spread of COVID-19, believing the virus could still continue to mutate, while a few others were primarily worried about the fallout of the pandemic, particularly the economic and mental health issues they perceived as currently impacting a large number of Canadians. Regionally, no participants in the Saskatchewan group and only a small number of those from Montreal expressed ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19.

While most felt daily life was gradually returning to normal, particularly following the removal of public health measures such as mask mandates and proof-of-vaccination systems in many provinces and territories, a large number of participants indicated they would likely continue to practice some new behaviours in the wake of the pandemic. Many participants indicated being much more cognizant about being in close proximity to strangers, common practices such as handshaking and hugging, and the size of their own social bubble. Some also mentioned feeling more hesitant about attending large events such as concerts and sporting events, both in terms of the potential spread of the virus as well as feeling others may view them as somewhat careless for having attended these events.

Discussing whether they would be uncomfortable being around someone who had chosen not to get vaccinated, no participants in the group from Saskatchewan saw this as an issue, while those in the group from Montreal were roughly split on the matter. Among those who were comfortable with being around non-vaccinated individuals, it was primarily felt the decision to get vaccinated was a personal one and, given the perception that vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals can both transmit the virus, it was felt this did not make much of a difference regarding the level of safety of those who were fully vaccinated. A small number in the Saskatchewan group reported having personally chosen to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and thus had no problems being around those who had made a similar decision. Among those who did express some discomfort, it was felt that non-vaccinated individuals presented an increased health risk to others and for that reason they would rather not associate with them. A small number also expressed frustration at what they viewed as a different mentality among the non-vaccinated, feeling these individuals had not done their part to bolster the collective safety of Canadians amidst the pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children (Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

The group from Trois-Rivières, comprised of parents with children under the age of 12, briefly discussed COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada in late 2021 for use in children ages 5 to 11. Most participants reported having gotten their children vaccinated and having previously discussed the matter with their children who themselves had then made the decision to receive their vaccines. A number of parents recalled taking time to explain the vaccines to their children, with some using additional resources, such as videos from public health experts on YouTube, to demonstrate the reasoning behind why one should get vaccinated. For the small number who had chosen not to get their children vaccinated, it was recalled that while they had discussed the matter with their children, they did not believe there to be an urgent need to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and had decided as a family to remain unvaccinated for the time being.

COVID-19 Booster Dose (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

Discussing whether they had received their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, otherwise known as the ‘booster dose’, participants in these three groups had mixed responses, particularly by region. While all participants in the group comprised of seniors from Quebec’s Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region had received their third dose, only half of those from Trois-Rivières had done so. No participants in the group from rural Manitoba had received their booster dose, with only a few indicating they had gotten their initial COVID-19 vaccinations.

Asked whether they had any questions regarding the booster dose, no participants in the group from Manitoba wished to discuss the matter, with many staunchly opposed to the booster as well as the COVID-19 vaccine more generally. Among the two groups in Quebec, while most were fairly comfortable regarding the booster, some had questions as to the long-term efficacy of the booster, whether annual or semi-annual doses would be required going forward, and whether the vaccine would be updated to account for newly emerging variants in the future. A few were also concerned about having received a different type of vaccine (e.g., Moderna and Pfizer) for their initial vaccinations and subsequent booster and worried this may not have provided them with an adequate level of protection. A small number also questioned whether the Canadian-produced Medicago vaccine would soon be more widely available and whether it would be presented as a booster dose option moving forward.

Budget 2022 (Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Six groups discussed the upcoming 2022 Budget, scheduled to be unveiled by the federal government on April 7^th, 2022.

To begin, participants were asked to identify which areas or initiatives they expected the Budget would primarily focus on. A wide range of responses were provided, including:

Inflation – It was felt by a number of participants that inflation had taken many, including the Bank of Canada, somewhat by surprise and that the federal government would likely pursue an active strategy to curb the rate of inflation going forward;
Financial supports – Several expected the federal government would continue to focus on providing financial assistance to Canadians, particularly those who were still recovering financially following the COVID-19 pandemic. A few participants also felt the Budget may focus on testing broader financial initiatives such as pilot projects for a Universal Basic Income (UBI);
Reducing federal spending – Some felt the federal government may instead focus on efforts to reduce spending and work towards creating a more balanced Budget. This was believed to likely be a particularly important priority given what some viewed as significant federal spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Affordable housing – Many expected affordable housing would be a major component of the 2022 Budget. This was an issue of particular importance to many given the rapid rise in housing prices in many Canadian communities as well as what a large number viewed as a dearth of affordable housing and rental units on a national scale;
Healthcare – A number of participants expected healthcare would be a significant focus of the Budget, particularly given the strain placed on provincial/territorial healthcare systems by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was felt the federal government would likely increase transfer payments to the provinces and territories to assist them in addressing the backlog of postponed procedures and appointments in many regions. In addition, many expected improved access to mental health services to be an important priority announced by the Government of Canada;
Reconciliation – Some believed the federal government would continue to include reconciliation with Indigenous peoples as a top priority, feeling there was still a lot of progress that needed to be made on this front;
Climate change and the environment – Many expected climate-focused initiatives to be a major component of the upcoming Budget, particularly given the recent pledge by the Government of Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In addition, some felt there might be additional federal assistance provided to those displaced or otherwise impacted by natural disasters, such as the extreme flooding experienced in southwestern British Columbia in November 2021; and
Increased military spending – It was felt by a number of participants that the federal government might prioritize increasing military and defence spending in response to the ongoing crisis between Ukraine and Russia. Related to this, some believed the Government of Canada might especially prioritize increasing Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) presence in Canada’s Arctic.

Participants were next asked what priorities they personally felt the Government of Canada should focus on in its upcoming budget. Once again, a number of responses were provided, including:

Affordable housing – Housing was frequently mentioned as a top priority participants felt the federal government needed to be focusing on. Several believed this was an issue that required immediate attention, and felt the Government of Canada needed to increase its efforts to slow the rapid rise in housing prices in many parts of the country, as well as provide significant investment towards the construction of affordable housing for prospective homeowners as well as renters;
Environmental issues and climate change – Many hoped to see climate change and the environment continue to be major priorities for the federal government. Participants felt more could be done to reduce Canadian energy dependence on oil and gas and transition towards more sustainable alternatives. A small number also proposed further incentives for those looking to purchase zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and transition away from gasoline-powered automobiles in the near future;
Resource development – Others felt there should be increased emphasis by the federal government on developing Canada’s natural resources, focusing on both domestic use as well as exporting these resources to international markets. Given the recent halt on the import of Russian oil and gas, this was felt to be a priority of major importance at present;
Inflation – A number of participants hoped the federal government would focus on reducing the rate of inflation, which some felt to be exceptionally high at the time. A few suggested this could be achieved in part by efforts to reduce federal spending and focus on maintaining a balanced budget wherever possible;
Financial assistance – Participants were of the view that there should be greater efforts towards providing financial assistance to those currently struggling with the high cost of living in many regions of the country. In addition to creating new supports targeted towards assisting low-income Canadians, it was also suggested more could be done by federal departments and agencies to promote and publicize the numerous financial supports already in place, believing many Canadians were currently unaware of programs from which they could potentially benefit;
Education – A number of participants thought education at all levels (primary, secondary, and post-secondary) was in need of increased support and attention from the federal government. Issues identified by participants included overcrowding in schools, a lack of trained teachers, and infrastructure in drastic need of repair. In addition, it was felt more needed to be done in the realm of early childhood education and child care, which was felt to have become increasingly unaffordable in recent years;
Healthcare – Following the increased strain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many felt the federal government needed to place an increased emphasis on bolstering provincial/territorial healthcare systems. Suggested actions included increasing healthcare transfer payments to provinces and territories, federal initiatives and incentives to get more individuals to pursue careers in healthcare, and a greater focus on increasing the capacity of healthcare systems to accommodate large influxes of patients during times of emergency such as the pandemic;
Mental health and addictions – Many also believed mental health to be a growing issue of concern throughout Canada, particularly among younger Canadians who were thought to have been disproportionally impacted by the pandemic and related public health measures. It was felt this issue was directly related to the growing opioid issues in several communities throughout Canada, and that by focusing on mental health the federal government would also address a root cause of addiction in the process. Several participants in the group from the Yukon were especially vocal regarding this priority, believing their communities and younger generations had been significantly impacted by mental health issues and addiction in recent years;
Infrastructure – Some were of the view that more needed to be done to improve Canada’s infrastructure, including repairing aging highways and public buildings in many Canadian communities. In addition, a few participants also suggested the federal government should emphasize increasing Canada’s cybersecurity capacity, providing additional protection for Canadian individuals, businesses, and institutions against potential cyberattacks;
Increased defence spending – Following the outbreak of conflict between Ukraine and Russia and Canada’s ongoing support for the Ukrainian defence effort, it was felt the Government of Canada would need to significantly increase its defence budget for at least the near future; and
Reconciliation – Many felt reconciliation remained a crucially important issue and believed more work needed to be done on this front. Several mentioned the provision of clean drinking water in every Indigenous community as a priority requiring immediate attention from the federal government. In addition, it was felt there should be greater efforts to provide Indigenous peoples with cultural programming, including a focus on Indigenous arts and traditional languages. A few also suggested the Government of Canada should focus on providing high-speed Internet service to all Indigenous communities, believing this was currently lacking on a number of reserves.

Asked if they could think of any programs or initiatives that had been announced in previous Budgets, very few participants could. Though unable to recall any specific initiatives by name, some participants were of the impression that previous Budgets had focused upon key federal priorities such as child care, education, housing, healthcare, Indigenous issues, and environmentally focused initiatives.

Net-Zero Oil (Ottawa, Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Four groups discussed the topic of net-zero oil as well as other matters related to resource development within Canada. To begin, participants were asked whether they believed the world was currently facing a climate emergency. Most thought this to be the case, believing evidence of climate change was clear in terms of what they felt to be consistently rising annual temperatures, natural disasters and extreme weather events occurring with increasing frequency, as well as increased ice melt in regions of the world such as the Arctic and Antarctica, causing concern regarding potential sea level rise in the decades to come. Many recounted having personally observed this gradual warming over the course of their lives, with several specifically mentioning the feeling that temperatures today were noticeably warmer than before and that there was significantly less snow and ice in winter months relative to decades past. Regionally, all participants in the groups from Ottawa and the Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec believed the world was facing a climate emergency, along with slightly more than half of those from Ontario-U.S. border cities. While most in the group from Newfoundland reported being concerned about the climate, few felt what was happening at present constituted an ‘emergency’.

Asked if they had previously heard the term ‘net-zero oil’, while some indicated awareness of what this might entail, a larger number of participants were mostly unfamiliar with the term. Among those who had heard of it, it was thought net-zero oil referred to the practice of reducing or offsetting emissions produced during the extraction, transportation, and refinement of oil. Several participants thought this was generally done by oil companies through employing more sustainable extraction processes, reducing emissions in other areas, or reinvesting profits from oil and other non-renewable energy sources into ‘greener’, more sustainable technology. To aid the discussion, participants were informed that net-zero oil primarily refers to oil extraction projects that completely negate any greenhouse gas emissions experienced in the extraction process. This was generally done by reducing emissions and/or implementing methods to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to offset any remaining emissions.

Discussing whether they felt it was realistic for oil companies to move towards more net-zero projects in the future, while most believed this was likely possible from a technological perspective, participants were widely pessimistic as to whether oil companies would be willing to take on the additional costs and diminished profits such a change might entail. Expanding upon this, several thought the only way oil companies would be willing to pursue a large-scale transition to net-zero would be if they were incentivized by the federal government to do so or if they could pass on increased extraction costs to the consumer. While most were of the view that Canadians generally favoured more sustainable, environmentally-friendly resource development practices, few felt consumers would be willing to accept the significantly higher costs that may accompany them, especially given the perceived high rate of inflation and rising cost of living at present. Some, however, thought it may be in the best interests of oil companies to adapt their extraction and production processes to become more sustainable, believing this was generally where most industries were heading, particularly the auto-industry where gas-powered automobiles were now facing increasing market competition from zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs). A small number of participants felt that rather than focusing on and investing in developing net-zero extraction technology, there should be a greater emphasis on transitioning away from oil and non-renewable energy sources, believing there to be no way to safely extract and utilize these resources without incurring some forms of environmental damage.

Asked to consider whether oil companies being able to reach net-zero emissions would make a significant impact towards helping the Government of Canada reach its emissions targets in the future, many participants expressed a significant degree of uncertainty. While most felt it would certainly help, it was felt that net-zero extraction practices would not be enough on their own to mitigate the growing issue of climate change. Several were of the view that, even if these companies were able to extract oil without producing any excess emissions, significant amounts of greenhouse gases would still be produced through the refinement, manufacturing, and use of oil by companies and consumers. In addition, some believed there was no way to extract oil in a way that would not involve long-term damage of the environment and ecosystems surrounding these project sites. Some also thought that even if Canada were able to meet its emissions targets, climate change remained a global issue and one that required all countries, including major emitters such as China and India, to participate in order for significant progress to be made. While a smaller number of participants were more positive, believing any step towards greater sustainability was a positive one, a few others questioned whether achieving ‘net-zero’ oil extraction would be worth the economic costs necessary to do so. Several reiterated the view that there needed to be a general transition away from non-renewable energy, and a greater emphasis on investment in alternative sources such as wind, solar, and hydro to meet the energy needs of Canadians. In addition, a small number suggested the federal government should provide greater incentives to individual homeowners to retrofit their homes in order to reduce their energy use and rely more upon other sustainable energy sources.

Focusing on gasoline prices in Canada which were believed to have risen substantially in recent weeks, partially in response to the conflict in Ukraine, participants were asked whether these developments had changed their views on how the Government of Canada should manage oil production within Canada. While a number of participants, particularly in the group from Newfoundland, felt the federal government should focus on developing a greater portion of Canada’s oil resources for domestic use and export to international markets, more remained skeptical as to whether this represented the best path forward.

Among those who wanted to see a greater emphasis on oil production from the Government of Canada, it was suggested the federal government could invest in building infrastructure related to refining oil as well as extracting it, allowing more Canadian oil to be refined within the country and potentially lowering fuel costs while also providing a significant number of jobs for Canadians. A few participants also thought the federal and/or provincial and territorial governments should consider stabilizing gas prices by implementing legislation prohibiting oil companies from selling gasoline above a certain price. In addition, a small number suggested the federal government should take greater control of domestic oil reserves through the creation of a Crown-corporation specifically focused on managing and exploiting domestic non-renewable energy sources, transitioning away from the current market structure which they viewed to be primarily comprised of privately-owned corporations.

For the significant number of participants hesitant about increasing the extraction and development of Canadian oil reserves, it was generally expressed that while Canada should be able to benefit from its non-renewable resources, there should be a greater focus on developing alternative, more sustainable energy sources. Some also felt there needed to be a greater understanding of the true environmental and economic toll of extracting oil from regions such as the oil sands in Alberta and Saskatchewan, believing this process was far more costly and complicated than many perceived it to be. To address these energy challenges going forward, a number of participants suggested the Government of Canada should focus on creating a long-term, holistic strategy with regards to how best to exploit domestic oil and gas while reinvesting revenue from these exports into more sustainable technology and energy production.

Convoy Protests & Emergencies Act (Ottawa, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users)

Four groups discussed the ‘convoy’ protests that took place in Ottawa and other parts of the country throughout February 2022. To begin these conversations, participants were asked to share their initial thoughts when reflecting back on these protests. Across all groups, a roughly similar number of individuals spoke negatively about the protests as those who expressed support, with several others expressing uncertainty as to how they felt about the protests overall. Regionally, all in the group from Ottawa and most from the group in Saskatchewan were opposed to the protests, while participants from Ontario-U.S. border cities were more mixed in their views. Almost all participants in the group from rural Manitoba expressed support for the protests and their aim of ending vaccine mandates and other pandemic-related public health requirements.

Among those more opposed to the protests, many felt that in pursuing their proposed goal of ending mandates and establishing greater personal freedoms for Canadians the protests had unfairly infringed upon the rights of those residing near the protest sites to live in peace. This was felt to be especially the case for those residing in downtown Ottawa, who had been more severely inconvenienced by ongoing noise and other disturbances, including incessant horn honking for weeks on end. Several recalled feeling emotionally drained in following these protests and believed it to be somewhat disturbing that these scenes were unfolding in the nation’s capital and elsewhere across the country. A number of participants also thought these protests represented a massive overreaction, believing that the federal public health mandates in place at the time were reasonable. A few also mentioned feeling very troubled by the presence of signs of hate and racism at these protests, including Nazi and Confederate symbols in some instances.

For participants more supportive of these demonstrations, several expressed feeling encouraged and uplifted by what they felt to be a primarily grassroots movement of people coming together from across Canada to protest what they felt to be unfair and unnecessary public health requirements. It was strongly felt by some that all individuals have the right to bodily autonomy and should not be restricted or potentially lose their jobs over what was believed to be a personal medical decision. A few of those living in Ontario-U.S. border cities added that even though the protests caused some inconvenience in their ability to move about their communities, they felt the aim of the protests was justified and supported the demonstrators. Among those in favour of the protests, it was felt the gatherings had been mostly peaceful and that the protestors had been unfairly treated by law enforcement and public officials. In addition, several participants believed that the coverage of these protests in the media had been almost entirely one-sided and had portrayed the demonstrations in a disproportionately negative light.

Feeling more uncertain as to their views on these protests, a number of participants believed the entire situation had been incredibly divisive and the strong emotions on both sides of the issue left them feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Many of these participants were of the view that while each individual should have the right to free and peaceful protest, these demonstrations in many instances went too far in disrupting and negatively impacting the day-to-day lives of those living nearby. Some felt that while the protests may have started off with good intentions, they soon devolved into chaos and disorganization, serving to diminish the credibility of the movement as a whole. Considering the worldwide media coverage these demonstrations received, a few were concerned about the negative impact the protests may have had on Canada’s international reputation.

Asked an additional question regarding whether they had been actively following the protests, several in the group made up of heavy social media users in Saskatchewan indicated that they had. Generally, most recalled following the protests on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, with some also relying on more traditional media such as television or their local newspaper.

Discussing what they felt to be the overall impact of the protests, participants were once again mixed in their opinions. Many thought these demonstrations and the groundswell of emotion they evoked amongst Canadians had left the country significantly divided. Generally, it was felt that finding common ground was difficult at the moment and Canadians were having difficulty understanding differing perspectives, particularly regarding the pandemic. Some also expressed surprise at what they felt to be the considerable size and scope of the protests and the level of support they received on a national scale. Participants were roughly divided on whether they felt policy changes would occur as a result of these protests. While a number of participants thought the protests would have little to no lasting tangible impact, several pointed to the expedient removal of mask mandates and proof-of-vaccination systems in provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan (among others), believing the protests had played a major part in encouraging provincial/territorial governments to take this step. A few also felt the protests had given more Canadians the confidence to speak out against existing pandemic measures and hoped to see this continue going forward. Looking towards the future, some participants were hopeful the anticipated removal of mask mandates and proof of vaccination systems in many provinces and territories as well as the loosening of some restrictions at the federal level would decrease some of the tension surrounding this issue. A small number were concerned these protests may cast a negative light on those demonstrating regarding other causes, feeling the right to free and peaceful protest would need to be protected going forward.

Focusing on the decision by the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act on February 14th, 2022 in response to the protests, participants were varied in their views. While those in the groups from Ottawa and Ontario-U.S. border cities were more or less evenly split as to whether the use of the Act was an appropriate measure, all participants from rural Manitoba were against the decision, while almost all in the group from Saskatchewan supported the measure.

Several of those who felt the Act should not have been invoked were primarily opposed to the protests and felt the Act would not have been necessary in the first place if more had been done at all levels of government to quell the protests in their initial days. Others were of the view that the Act was not necessary, particularly given their understanding that the protests at border crossings near Windsor, Ontario and Coutts, Alberta had been cleared by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) without the use of federal emergency measures. Among those who were more supportive of the protests, it was felt the use of the Act represented significant overreach by the federal government. For participants in support of the use of the Act, it was believed that at the stage it was invoked it represented the best option available for the Government of Canada to put an effective end to the disruption caused by the protests. It was felt by some that the Emergencies Act had been successful in its aims and its swift removal on February 23rd, 2022 further confirmed the federal government had no plans to keep it in place any longer than necessary. A small number felt the Act should have been invoked earlier, once it became apparent the protestors in places such as Ottawa had no intention of leaving.

Asked if there was anything the federal government should have done differently in response to the protests, a number of responses were provided. Many of those opposed to the protests felt greater efforts could have been taken to limit the size and scope of the protests in their initial days, rather than allowing them to become entrenched for the longer-term. Among those in support of the movement and its stated goals of ending federal mandates, it was felt a greater effort should have been taken by the federal government to establish a dialogue with the protestors and listen to their concerns. It was thought by some that the perceived lack of engagement by the federal government with the protestors only served to intensify these demonstrations. A few also were of the view that more should have been done by the federal government in the weeks leading up to the protests to help dispel misinformation on social media. Participants believed that a significant number of those protesting had been energized by posts and content on platforms such as Facebook that may have been of questionable veracity.

Local Perspectives (Ottawa, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Participants from Ottawa as well as cities in close proximity to the Ontario-U.S. engaged in further discussions regarding the convoy protests, primarily focusing on their personal experiences and perspectives regarding these demonstrations.

While few participants felt personally affected by the protests, apart from experiencing delays and general difficulty in moving about their communities due to the influx of people and traffic, many expressed discomfort at having witnessed them unfold, with those from Ottawa particularly concerned regarding the negative impact they felt these protests had on those residing near Parliament Hill. Asked if they had changed their views regarding these demonstrations as time went on, most participants recalled being somewhat open to the protests in that they felt everyone deserved the right to free and peaceful protests. Some also indicated support for the initial stated goals of the protest of ending federal pandemic-related mandates. As time went on, however, and the size and disturbance of these protests grew, many soon became more opposed to the protests, believing that they represented an unfair imposition on the communities in which they were taking place. Many in the Ottawa group felt their opinion towards the protests had become more negative after they heard first-hand from personal connections living in the downtown core regarding the disturbances and, at times, aggressive nature of the protestors. Most participants in these groups reported feeling relieved when the protests were ultimately cleared out.

Discussing how the protests affected their community as a whole, many of those in the group from Ottawa reiterated the view that the whole situation had been incredibly divisive, and these protests had created what they felt to be a stark separation among those who were ‘for’ or ‘against’ the movement. Several reported experiencing this divisiveness first hand in interactions with friends, family, colleagues, and other acquaintances. Some also suggested the protests had created diminished confidence in public entities such as the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) as well as the City of Ottawa, with many frustrated by what they saw as relative inaction from municipal officials.

Almost all participants in both groups felt the convoy protests were much different in character than other demonstrations they had previously encountered. Several identified the sheer length of the protests, lasting several weeks, as a major differentiator in addition to the presence of large trucks at several protest sites, which increased the difficulty encountered by law enforcement in clearing these individuals and vehicles out. Some also noted what they viewed as a broadly felt anger and negativity among those protesting, with a few feeling this at times transitioned into outright racist and anti-LGBTQ2+ rhetoric. A number of participants also felt these protests were generally handled differently by the OPS and other law enforcement officials, believing there was a more ‘hands-off’ approach taken towards these demonstrators compared to other protests such as those regarding Indigenous issues. Questioned as to whether the behaviour of the protestors changed over time, most felt it had been relatively consistent throughout, with many reiterating comments about the disruption caused by these individuals. It was felt by some that there were two general groups of protestors – those who were extremely committed to the cause and were planning on staying long-term and a larger group who would come and go and were more there for the ‘festive’ atmosphere than anything else.

Discussing the progression of the protests, a number of participants were of the view these gatherings had been significantly coordinated and funded by outside influences, including those in other countries. In addition, it was felt the leaders of these protests had utilized social media ‘echo chambers’ to inflame the frustration felt by many regarding ongoing COVID-19 mandates, using this energy to solicit support and donations to their cause. A few felt differently and expressed that they had been encouraged by the protests and that these movements were primarily due to a growing dissatisfaction with pandemic-related public health measures at both the federal and provincial levels.

Focusing on the removal of the protests, most felt the increased RCMP presence and the invoking of the Emergencies Act had been critical in putting an end to these demonstrations, sending a message that the federal government was taking the matter very seriously. Asked how the implementation of the Act had changed things, it was felt the arrests of key leaders and seizure of vehicles and other equipment by law enforcement had served to demonstrate the potential consequences faced by those who refused to leave the protest sites peacefully. In addition, it was believed the Act had been helpful in legally compelling tow-truck operators to begin removing the trucks as well as providing law enforcement officials with additional authority in their efforts to clear the demonstrations. A few thought the use of the Emergencies Act had also given the protestors themselves an ‘out’, providing those who potentially wished to leave with the justification to do so, particularly in light of the increased concern regarding legal and financial consequences for those who remained. In Ottawa, it was felt the cordon placed on the downtown area and the closing of the protests off to major thoroughfares had been instrumental in preventing them from growing any further. While few felt the protestors would return, many believed the general unrest and frustration they had evoked in many parts of the country would continue to linger for some time, especially if a growing number of Canadians continued to feel ignored by public officials.

Discussing the protests in Ottawa in particular, participants were asked which level of government they felt was ultimately responsible for managing these protests. Though some felt the City of Ottawa and OPS should have done more to quell the protests, many reiterated calls for a stronger response from the federal government in the initial days of the protests. It was thought by many that ultimately the management of these protests was a federal responsibility, particularly given the massive protest site at Parliament Hill and the stated goal of the movement of ending federal public health requirements. Though several acknowledged the protests outside Parliament were likely technically under municipal jurisdiction, many felt it was evident early on that the OPS was overwhelmed and unable to clear the protests on its own. A number of participants felt there should have been a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional effort at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels towards the protests, feeling questions over jurisdiction had only served to delay the response further.

Regarding the City of Ottawa and the OPS more specifically, many felt the municipal response to the protests had been disorganized from the outset. While some felt the OPS was constrained by limited resources and personnel, a number were of the view that more could have been done by municipal leaders and law enforcement to request assistance and be more outspoken about the difficulties they were facing in keeping the protests under control. Very few thought the OPS would have been able to resolve the issue on its own without the support of the RCMP and the additional powers provided by the Emergencies Act. Asked if the OPS had done anything well, most participants acknowledged the relative peaceful resolution of the protests, believing there to have been very few injuries suffered by protestors and law enforcement officials in the process.

Many expressed disappointment regarding the response from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), which they felt to have been delayed and limited in effectiveness. A number of participants felt the provincial government had done little to put an end to the protests and only became involved once cross-border trade had been blocked at numerous protest sites along the Canada/U.S. border. Some were of the impression that the Government of Ontario had attempted to offload responsibility for these demonstrations to the City of Ottawa and the federal government, attempting to stay out of the issue as best as possible.

Participants were also generally dissatisfied with the response from the Government of Canada, believing federal officials had been relatively inactive, taking several weeks to make the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act. It was generally felt the federal government should have taken immediate action towards addressing and quelling the protests, particularly due to the (initial) federal focus of the demonstrations, as well as their close proximity to Parliament. Some also felt the Government of Canada could have provided clearer, more transparent communications to Canadians as to how it intended to respond to the protests, believing there had been little in the way of communications in this regard. Asked what they felt the Government of Canada had done well, many participants appreciated the refusal by federal officials to meet with or negotiate with the protest leaders, believing this would only have served to legitimize the movement. A few also commended what they felt to be considerable restraint by the federal government, not taking immediate or forceful action on the protestors and ultimately overseeing a peaceful resolution of these demonstrations.

Asked what could be done by the City of Ottawa specifically to ensure it was better prepared to manage similar protests in the future, several thought there needed to be greater cohesiveness across all levels of government. It was strongly felt that in order to more effectively manage demonstrations such as this going forward, there needed to be a multi-jurisdictional plan in place detailing how each level of government would be expected to act.

Firearms (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Three groups discussed the issue of firearms in Canada, specifically focusing on the Government of Canada’s plan to prohibit assault-style rifles as well as buy back those already owned by Canadians.

Asked whether they were aware of any recent actions by the federal government related to firearm ownership in Canada or the specific plan to ban assault-style rifles, very few recalled having heard anything. Of those who had, none could recall any specific details, only having seen headlines or brief news stories covering the matter. All participants in every group expressed support for this initiative, with many strongly believing there to be no practical purpose for their ownership by individual Canadians, with many expressing the view that these firearms never should have been allowed in the first place. While a small number in the group from Saskatchewan felt more could be done to better clarify what was meant by ‘assault-style’, concerned that ‘sporting rifles’ may be unfairly included in this legislation, they still felt this initiative was worth pursuing. When asked whether they felt firearms purchased before the ban should still be subject to this legislation, all participants maintained that they should. Though it was acknowledged this may be somewhat unfair to those who had put substantial financial investment into their firearms which would likely not be reflected in the buy-back amount they are offered, this was not seen as a strong enough reason to provide an exception for these rifles.

Discussing additional actions the federal government could take in relation to firearm ownership in Canada, many felt more should be done to reduce the number of firearms currently owned by Canadians and strengthen the rules and regulations Canadian gun owners must adhere to. A number of participants specifically mentioned handguns as a category of firearms they felt should no longer be permitted for civilian use within Canada, believing there to be no valid reason for the ownership of this category of firearms. Some also proposed implementing a more rigorous firearm registry system and were of the view that all civilian-owned firearms should be registered with the federal government. It was also felt more could be done to screen prospective gun owners for mental health and other concerns that may potentially impact their ability to responsibly possess a firearm.

Healthcare (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Two groups engaged in a discussion regarding federal priorities related to healthcare as well as challenges currently facing the sector. Asked to identify challenges currently facing the healthcare system in their respective regions, a number of issues were mentioned, including:

A shortage of medical professionals in all areas, having the additional effect of longer wait times for a number of medical services;
A lack of awareness regarding available healthcare services and supports, including online services and consultation;
Limited focus on mental health supports, particularly for children and young adults;
Few services and supports specifically focused towards children, especially those with unique medical needs;
A general lack of medical specialists, particularly in rural and more remote communities; and
Difficulty accessing COVID-19 testing, especially during the recent Omicron wave of the pandemic.

More generally, a few were of the view that individual Canadians had become increasingly dependent on the healthcare system as a result of the pandemic, believing this had caused a lack of proactivity exhibited by some related to their own personal health and healthy living practices. Asked if they had heard about any recent commitments or announcements made by the Government of Canada related to healthcare, very few participants could recall anything.

To aid in the discussion, participants were informed of five priority areas in healthcare that were recently announced by the Government of Canada:

Addressing health worker shortages and reducing wait times;
Increasing access to family health services;
Improving long-term care and home care;
Addressing mental health and substance use; and
Modernizing health data management and virtual care.

All participants recognized the importance of the above priorities, with many specifically mentioning addressing health worker shortages and long wait times, increasing access to family health services, and addressing mental health and substance use. In addition, a few expressed the view that the modernization of health data management in particular could be useful towards improving the organization of provincial and territorial healthcare systems.

Asked which priorities were the most important for the Government of Canada to address in the immediate future, participants identified again reiterated their support for reducing health worker shortages and reducing wait times, increasing access to family health services, and addressing mental health and substance use to be the most important among the five priorities, believing to be the areas where action was most urgently needed. More specifically, some were of the view that addressing mental health and substance use had been neglected for quite some time and that the severity of these issues had been exacerbated in many by the COVID-19 pandemic. While some felt that modernizing health data management and virtual care was not the most pressing priority at present, it was felt this should not diminish its importance as a long term initiative.

Participants were next asked to think about various policies or investments they would expect to see from the federal government when addressing each of the five priorities. A number of ideas were suggested related to each initiative, including:

Addressing health worker shortages and reducing wait times – Some were of the view that more funding should be devoted towards the training and education of prospective healthcare workers. Others suggested the implementation of clearly defined limits regarding the number of patients a single healthcare worker can be responsible for, believing caring for too many patients at once was a key driver of worker burnout at present. Some members in the group comprised of racialized Canadians from the Greater Montreal Area (GMA) also recommended providing increased incentives to foreign healthcare workers to practice in Canada. It was also felt the federal government could work to expedite the foreign credential recognition process for these individuals. A few also felt it would be prudent for the federal government to begin preparing for potential future pandemics, including placing a larger focus on the matter of increasing the number of available healthcare workers in emergencies to accommodate potential strain on the healthcare system in the future;
Increasing access to family health services – Many felt significant increases in funding for family services workers as well as the construction of more healthcare facilities devoted towards family-focused issues and services would be the most straightforward course of action from the Government of Canada toward addressing this priority. In addition, it was felt public health officials should work towards providing increased supports for new parents, particularly those experiencing issues such as post-partum depression, high-risk family or medical situations, and single parent families. Related to family doctors, a few felt it should be a formal obligation for family physicians to automatically take on the children of their existing clients as patients as they reach adulthood;
Improving long-term care and in-home care – A number of participants recommended a greater focus from the federal government towards implementing regulatory inspections of long-term care facilities, believing oversight to be somewhat lacking in this area at present. Some also called for greater funding specifically for these areas of care, believing more needed to be done specifically to financially incentivize more workers to enter the field. In addition, it was felt a greater emphasis should be placed on allowing seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible, believing more policies should be designed with this in mind. It was also thought that increasing the prevalence of in-home care would have a positive ripple effect on hospital capacity and quality of care, as well as the overall mental health of those needing care and their loved ones. It was also felt by a few that greater financial supports should be provided for those who could not afford private long-term or in-home care on their own;
Addressing mental health and substance use – While most were of the view that more funding needs to be allocated to this priority, it was felt there needed to be a particular focus on mental health challenges faced by younger Canadians, believing addressing these issues early on in life would have a positive effect, avoiding potential future problems in adulthood. Regarding illicit substances, it was felt there should be a greater focus placed on rehabilitation rather than criminalization of this activity, as well as addressing related causes such as housing insecurity and ease of access to these substances. Many felt there needed to be greater access for Canadians to consult with mental health professionals, and greater incentivization to recruit more workers to accommodate what was seen as a growing prevalence of mental health issues among Canadians. Related to this, it was felt there could be greater efforts towards implementing ‘community-focused’ mental health supports, creating local support networks for those currently facing challenges; and
Modernizing health data management and virtual care – Initially discussing this priority, some wished for greater clarification regarding what ‘health data management’ actually entails. Generally, while virtual care was seen as an important innovation and something that should be prioritized, many felt the resources and staff that would be required to digitize existing health records would not be worth sacrificing other priorities to accomplish. A few also expressed concern regarding the privacy implications of digitizing medical records, questioning who would have access to these files. Regarding virtual care, a number of participants felt it would be beneficial to focus on, particularly for rural or remote communities where it was difficult to meet with doctors on a regular basis.

Asked whether the federal government should be able to set priorities regarding the transfer payments it sends to the provinces and territories, most were of the view that the provinces/territories should ultimately be able to allocate their healthcare funding as they saw fit. It was felt by several that the needs of each province and territory were unique, and that public health officials at this level would likely have a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the medical needs of their respective populations. A few in the group from the GMA felt differently, believing the federal government should be able to ensure the funding provided was allocated in an equitable and effective manner, believing there should be a high standard of care across all provinces and territories. Others believed there should be a combination of both federal oversight and provincial/territorial autonomy, feeling the Government of Canada should set out broad priorities while still providing a high degree of flexibility for provincial and territorial public health officials towards determining which areas needed to be prioritized most.

Asked to consider how they would feel if the federal government made it a requirement that healthcare transfers be allocated to the five federal priorities discussed above, most residing in the GMA opposed this idea, though with some clarifying that their level of support would likely depend on the associated cost devoted toward each initiative. Some in the group from Saskatchewan expressed support for this idea, with even those more generally opposed to federal oversight in this regard feeling the priorities were broad enough that this would be a fair requirement for the federal government to put in place.

Almost all participants were of the view that there should be a greater amount of federal funding allocated to the education, recruitment, and training of new healthcare workers, including those specifically trained to treat mental health or addiction. Regarding the role of the federal government, it was reiterated by several that provincial and territorial governments should ultimately determine the level of funding for each of these priorities, though it was felt there could be a national-level effort towards recruiting and training more healthcare workers, particularly those from outside Canada.

Child Care (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Participants in the group comprised of parents of children under 12 from Ontario discussed the issue of child care within the province and more generally. To begin, participants were asked what they felt to be the biggest challenges related to child care in Ontario. Across the group, participants identified two major issues:

Affordability – Several described the cost of child care in Ontario as becoming increasingly expensive, feeling these high rates had made it difficult for many parents (and mothers in particular) to return to the workforce; and
Accessibility – Parents also mentioned what they viewed as a perceived lack of available child care spots throughout the province, leading to multi-year wait lists in some instances.

While no participants in the group currently had children in child care, when discussing their experiences in the past in terms of accessing these services, responses were mixed. While some found it relatively easy to secure a spot, a number of others had encountered long waitlists and, in some cases, even chosen to relocate to areas offering greater availability in this regard.

Participants were next asked a series of questions related to the federal government’s efforts to reach affordable child care agreements with all provinces and territories within Canada. A number of participants were aware of these agreements, with some able to recall the federal government’s stipulated aim of reducing child care costs to $10 a day, on average, per child. Only a small number indicated awareness regarding recent negotiations between their province and the Government of Canada on this front. Informed that Ontario was now the only province or territory at the time the group was held to have not yet reached an agreement, many expressed confusion as to why a deal had not been made on this front. A number of participants felt this may be a negotiating tactic on the part of the provincial government, being of the impression that it may be endeavouring to secure a greater proportion of federal funding for this initiative. Many indicated frustration over the lack of an agreement to date, believing affordable child care to be of crucial importance to the financial health of many families. It was felt that if all other provinces and territories had been able to reach similar affordable child care agreements, there was no reason Ontario could not also find a way to make such a program work.

Discussing whether there were any other child care priorities the Government of Canada should be working on, a few mentioned issues more relevant to school-aged children, including the need for greater support for organized athletics and other programming for young people, addressing food insecurity for low-income families, as well as a greater focus on diversity and inclusion among staff working in primary and secondary schools.

Housing Affordability (Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Participants in the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario (identified as being in financially precarious situations, based on their responses to a series of questions at the time of recruiting) discussed the housing market in their area as well as potential federal initiatives aimed at making housing more affordable. The group was made up of a mixture of those who owned their homes as well as individuals currently renting.

Among participants identifying as renters, it was felt by several that finding affordable rental accommodation in the area was currently quite difficult. Several perceived there to be a shortage of affordable rental units at present as well as mentioning increasingly expensive costs for those dwellings that were available. Unprompted, some put forward recommendations towards addressing these issues, including:

Placing a greater focus on developing higher density apartment projects, creating a larger stock of affordable housing in growing rental markets; and
Greater oversight of rental practices, in particular focusing on potentially discriminatory practices by landlords, as well as illegal rental units, and what were felt to be the exorbitant rental prices currently being charged in many communities.

Participants were next shown some information regarding potential actions and initiatives proposed by the Government of Canada towards helping to make housing more affordable, including:

Affordable Housing Innovation Fund: Funding for unique ideas and innovative building techniques that could revolutionize the affordable housing sector;
Federal Lands Initiative: Utilizing surplus federal lands and buildings to create affordable, sustainable, accessible, and socially inclusive developments;
First-Time Home Buyer Incentive: A program that allows one to borrow 5 or 10% of the purchase price of a home to put toward a down payment. The program recipient pays back the same percentage of the value of the home when selling it or within a 25-year window;
Housing Accelerator Fund: Funding available to municipalities to increase the housing supply in Canada’s largest cities through measures such as inclusionary zoning, increased densification, reductions in construction approval timelines and the rapid development of vacant or underused lands;
National Housing Co-Investment Fund – New Construction Stream: Low-cost repayable loans and forgivable loans towards building new affordable housing shelters, as well as transitional and supportive housing; and
Rental Construction Financing: Low-cost loans encouraging the construction of sustainable rental apartment projects across Canada.

When asked to identify which of the above would be most beneficial towards addressing the issue of housing affordability within their regions (and Canada more generally) participants were varied in their views, though many felt the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive to be particularly promising. Several were of the view that this program would make it easier for Canadians seeking to gain entry into the housing market, particularly those who may not be able to save up for a sufficient down payment on their own. Some also commented that even as housing prices continue to increase dramatically, federal assistance via a loan covering 5% to 10% of the purchase price could make a real difference for prospective home buyers in their efforts to purchase their first home.

As a follow-up question, participants were asked for their thoughts on potentially creating a separate stream of the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive specifically targeted towards young, single Canadians. Most responded positively to this notion, feeling it would provide a great deal of support to those individuals without partners, particularly single-parent households who were likely already dealing with considerable financial strain. Others were of the view that single people in particular typically required additional support to get into the housing market and that anything which could provide assistance on this front would be helpful. At the same time, however, some thought additional education and tools should be offered to younger Canadians, believing many currently lacked the financial education to fully understand the fiscal responsibilities and unexpected costs that accompanied home ownership.

Participants were also generally supportive of the provision of increased rental construction financing. A number were of the view that offering these low cost loans would likely lower overall development and construction costs, thereby incentivizing developers to build more units at affordable prices rather than focusing on higher-end or luxury homes. While supportive of this initiative, some did feel there should be a caveat in that additional oversight would likely be necessary to ensure affordable rental fees are actually charged once these units hit the market. As an additional comment, some participants expressed the view that developers should be required going forward to set aside a certain percentage of new building floor space to affordable rentals.

There was also a moderate level of uptake among participants for both the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund and the National Housing Co-Investment Fund – New Construction Stream. Focusing on the former, some felt such a program would stimulate more creative thinking and generate new models for development which could potentially assist in solving current issues regarding housing affordability. Regarding the latter, participants generally felt that programs specifically targeted towards marginalized groups were important for the federal government to pursue and viewed this as both a viable and important initiative.

Few identified the Federal Lands Initiative as particularly promising, with some also hoping for greater clarification as to what was viewed as ‘surplus lands’, concerned about the potential of protected areas (e.g., for environmental or other reasons) being opened up for development.

Some participants commented critically on the Housing Accelerator Fund, believing the implementation of this program may have the unanticipated impact of promoting unrestrained development. There was a feeling among participants that rapid development did not necessarily equate to affordable housing and, as such, this initiative was not viewed as addressing the root issue in terms of ensuring greater housing affordability.

Seniors’ Issues (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors)

The group made up of seniors from the Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec engaged in a brief discussion regarding issues pertaining to seniors in Canada.

Discussing which issue they personally felt should be a top priority for the Government of Canada, many in the group mentioned the increasing cost of living for seniors, which participants felt had risen substantially in recent years. In addition, some felt priorities such as diminishing federal debt and removing ongoing COVID-19 travel requirements needed greater attention from the federal government.

Asked to identify which issues they felt were most important to seniors in Canada more broadly, participants shared a number of ideas. These included:

Insufficient funding – Several felt that many long-term care (LTC) and other senior-focused facilities did not have the resources to meet the needs of those currently under their care. While the oversight of these facilities was acknowledged as being primarily a provincial/territorial issue, it was felt the federal government could assist on this matter through the provision of increased healthcare transfers to the provinces/territories specifically designated for LTC;
Lack of options to remain at home – Some were also of the view that more needed to be done to provide seniors with the option to stay in their homes as long as possible. It was felt that in many cases, in-home care led to better overall health for seniors while also taking strain off other healthcare and LTC facilities. Participants suggested greater funding and incentives from the Government of Canada to encourage in-home care as an option for a greater proportion of seniors;
Increasing cost of living – A number of participants reiterated concerns regarding what they felt to be the rapidly rising cost of living for seniors in Canada. This was of particular concern for older Canadians as, in many cases, their incomes or pensions were fixed and would not be able to accommodate a significant rise in living expenses; and
Federal pensions – Related to the rising cost of living, some felt the federal government should consider raising financial supports such as Old Age Security (OAS).

Questioned as to whether they had heard about any actions the Government of Canada had recently taken to support seniors, few could recall any actions. Among the few who could recall having heard something, it was mentioned that, as of July 2022, all seniors aged 75 and over would see an automatic 10% increase to their OAS pension. A number of participants reacted positively after having heard this. Asked whether they felt the federal government was currently on the right track regarding seniors’ issues, no participants felt that they were. Several were of the opinion that too many problems were currently facing seniors to say the Government of Canada was on the right track, once again mentioning the rising cost of living and explaining that, in their view, little action has been taken to assist seniors in navigating the rapidly changing economic situation over the past few years. A few others felt the federal government often moved too slowly when it came to seniors’ issues, believing it typically took a long time for new senior-focused initiatives to be implemented and that some seniors had difficulty accessing the assistance programs already in place.

Discussing where they would normally receive their news, all participants reported relying upon radio and television, with some specifically mentioning channels such as Téléjournal, Radio-Canada Télé, and Le Canal Nouvelles. A small number also frequently utilized social media platforms such as Facebook to find news items of interest to them. While many followed the news with relative frequency, few reported actively seeking out information related to the Government of Canada. For those that did, it was felt they would generally only do so for matters that interest them, such as COVID-19-related public health measures and evolving rules and regulations related to international travel. Some found various federal government websites to be useful and reliable sources to verify news stories initially encountered elsewhere.

Asked if they felt the Government of Canada regularly made an effort to reach out to seniors, few felt that it did, with many believing federal attention devoted towards senior-focused issues had been somewhat inconsistent. Several were of the view that senior-focused issues were rarely top-of-mind and were often prioritized less than other areas. Discussing what the federal government could do to more effectively connect with seniors, some felt greater efforts could be taken to promote the programs and supports currently available to older Canadians. In addition, it was felt the Government of Canada should find ways to work in greater partnership with provincial and territorial governments to develop a cohesive strategy to address seniors’ issues and ways to meet their unique medical and financial needs.

No participants could recall hearing anything about changes to the Guaranteed Income Support (GIS), a monthly benefit available to low-income OAS pensioners. While many hoped GIS amounts would increase to assist seniors in managing rising costs, a few were concerned about the increased spending they felt this would likely require on the part of the federal government. Asked if they thought the federal government should prioritize increasing the GIS to assist seniors financially, most believed that it should, feeling such a move could positively impact the lives of many seniors throughout Canada.

Youth Issues (Calgary Young Adults)

The group comprised of young adults discussed various issues currently facing younger Canadians. To begin, participants were asked whether they were aware of any recent actions taken by the Government of Canada to support young people. Across the group, unaided recall was high, with several mentioning a number of federal supports (though often not by name). These included:

Federal subsidies for businesses to hire students during the summer (e.g., Canada Summer Jobs program);
Grants to support education and students (e.g., Canada Student Grants and Loans);
The decision by the Government of Canada to suspend the accumulation of interest on Canada Student Loans until 2023; and
The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, providing greater assistance for those looking to enter into the homeownership market and purchase their first home.

Further prompted about financial support from the federal government to young Canadians specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, many participants recalled the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), while a few also mentioned the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), though not by name, referring to financial assistance specifically for students. Regarding the CERB, some young adults expressed appreciation for this support, while others said they were somewhat at a disadvantage after having received it. It was felt by these participants that more could have been done by the federal government to clarify the eligibility requirements and potential tax implications, as some recalled being left owing large amounts of money either in taxes or repayments to the Government of Canada.

Questioned as to where they typically receive their news, most mentioned social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. A few participants clarified that if a news article peaked their interest on social media, they would likely then seek out further information from a more trusted news source to verify the legitimacy of the story. In regards to information specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, some individuals indicated avoiding the news all together, feeling the abundance of information regarding the virus had been overwhelming at times. For those that did follow pandemic-related news, some expressed a preference for more traditional news sources (the CBC was mentioned by several) or actively sought out information related to the pandemic from public health officials on official provincial or federal websites. A few reported typically receiving updates via word of mouth from personal connections working in the healthcare field.

In regards to news items specifically related to the Government of Canada more broadly (and unrelated to COVID-19) about as many in the group reported regularly seeking this information out as those who did not. For those who typically would not look up information regarding the federal government, it was generally felt that any crucially important developments from the Government of Canada would likely still reach them, feeling they would be broadly discussed among people they know as well as in the general media.

Asked whether they had recently seen any advertising from the Government of Canada, some participants recalled encountering communications from the federal government focusing on topics related to completing one’s taxes, firearm regulation, as well as various brief surveys on social media platforms. Very few participants felt the Government of Canada was actively making an effort to reach out to students or prioritizing youth in its decision making. There was a general sentiment amongst the group that young people often feel ignored by the federal government and are generally lower on the priority list compared to other Canadians. Participants discussed the specific challenges young people have been facing including high costs of living, increased inflation, and setbacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, believing the federal government could do more to address these problems going forward.

Asked which issues they personally felt were most important for the Government of Canada to focus on, participants identified a number of areas, including:

Basic necessities – Several individuals expressed the opinion that all Canadians needed to be guaranteed the provision of basic necessities such as water, food, and safe and affordable housing. Some were of the view that the federal government should look further into Universal Basic Income (UBI) programs, feeling this was a potential way of ensuring the basic needs for Canadians are met;
Housing affordability – It was felt that greater effort would be required on the part of the federal government to assist in making housing much more affordable for Canadians, especially for young people who may not be to get into the housing market; and
Environmental sustainability – Some thought there should be more emphasis placed by the federal government on protecting Canada’s natural resources and environment.

Identifying the most important issues facing young people specifically, the perceived rising cost of living was top of mind for all participants. In particular, the cost of post-secondary education (and subsequent large amounts of student debt) were viewed as an issue of crucial importance. It was also felt greater effort should be placed on providing young Canadians with education towards improved financial literacy as well as providing more tangible financial support to address the difficulties faced by many young people as they work to navigate early adulthood.

Reconciliation (Northern British Columbia)

Participants in northern British Columbia were asked a series of questions pertaining to the topic of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. When initially asked what comes to mind when they think of the word ‘reconciliation’, many mentioned the tragedies associated with residential schools. A small number also suggested potentially revisiting existing legislation such as the Indian Act. More generally, it was thought by several that the only viable path forward towards reconciliation would need to involve a process of ongoing collaboration and consultation between the Government of Canada and individual Indigenous groups and communities.

Discussing recent federal actions towards addressing reconciliation, most were of the opinion that little in the way of tangible accomplishments had been made. Some, however, did express feeling encouraged by recent appointments such as the new Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (who it was hoped would make an immediate impact) as well as the first Inuk Governor General of Canada in 2021. Some also felt a recent settlement between the Government of Canada and Indigenous groups regarding harms done to Indigenous children in the child and family services system in decades past represented a step in the right direction. While a few also recalled efforts such as the creation of the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, 2021, it was thought more should have been done by federal officials, including the Prime Minister, to actively participate in recognition of this occasion.

Discussing whether they felt the Government of Canada was on the right track regarding reconciliation, most were of the view that it was. This being said, many felt that more still needed to be done and that the federal government should continue its efforts in this regard. Asked what actions a federal government serious about reconciliation would take, participants identified a number of potential actions and initiatives, including:

Providing supports for provincial and municipal governments to address local Indigenous issues;
Maintaining focus on goals previously announced by the federal government, specifically those related to providing clean drinking water to all Indigenous communities;
Minimizing engagement in court matters, such as appealing court rulings;
Relinquishing partial control over and providing greater authority to on-reserve communities; and
Revisiting the Indian Act and the existing band system. It was felt this in particular could provide Indigenous communities and peoples with increased autonomy as well as the ability to become more self-sustaining and less reliant on federal support.

Rabies (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Participants in this group were asked a short series of questions on the topic of rabies as well as potential actions the Government of Canada could take to protect human health and prevent the spread of animal-borne diseases such as rabies. A similar number of participants reported being dog owners as those who were not, with some obtaining their pet(s) quite recently while others had been pet owners for many years. A few of those who owned dogs reported obtaining their pet through a rescue organization. Participants generally expressed a high degree of trust in these organizations, primarily based on their previous experience as well as their interactions with staff and volunteers.

All participants were asked about their perspective on the charitable status of dog rescue organizations. Most felt these operations should continue to be ‘not-for-profit’, with some going as far as to say that ‘for-profit’ rescue organizations should be generally prohibited.

Focusing on the matter of rabies, participants were informed this was a viral disease affecting the nervous system of mammals, such as dogs and cats as well as humans. In addition, participants were informed that the rabies virus is particularly present in the saliva and brain of infected animals (most commonly among dogs) and is generally transmitted via a bite. It was reported that within Canada, rabies could be found in wildlife such as skunks, foxes, racoons, and bets, though had not been detected in canines.

Discussing potential concerns regarding canine rabies entering into Canada, most were not overly worried about the issue, with some assuming that canine rabies was already prevalent to some extent in Canada. Others felt that dog owners had a personal responsibility to ensure that the vaccination status of their pets is kept up to date and generally felt most were adhering to these standards. Asked about which department or agency was primarily responsible for ensuring dogs entering Canada from other countries are rabies-free, several identified the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Subsequently, it was clarified that it was actually the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) which typically oversees programs related to animal health and production, guarding against the entry of animal-borne diseases into Canada. Participants were informed that those working in the business of importing animals into Canada are responsible for ensuring that the proper tests and paperwork have been submitted before bringing any animal into the country. Informed about the potential dangers associated with rabies, including that it causes more than 50,000 human deaths on a yearly basis and was an endemic issue in over 100 countries, participants were also told that the United States had banned the import of dogs from countries where rabies is not controlled. Questioned as to whether the Government of Canada should implement a similar policy, most participants felt it was unnecessary and did not see it as a high priority issue for a number of reasons:

Many felt that the federal government’s current approach to mitigating the risk of rabies entering Canada was sufficient, pointing to thorough screening at the border and the perceived non-existence of canine variants in Canada at present;
Several also did not feel that the risk at this time warranted such a wide-ranging policy which would prohibit the import of dogs from high-risk countries; and
A few expressed concern that such a policy may unfairly ban the rescue of neglected and abused animals, including those in distress and/or living in dangerous conditions.

Discussing the potential action of reducing the number of dogs available for import into Canada, rather than imposing a broad ban, participants generally remained opposed to any limitations upon the importation of dogs into Canada. Most participants reiterated their support for individuals and organizations wishing to help dogs escape harmful situations, describing this as a more compassionate approach. Moreover, participants felt that current rules and regulations were sufficient and were being effectively implemented to ensure the safety of Canadians and animals alike.

Local Issues (Ottawa, Newfoundland, Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Eight groups engaged in discussions regarding local issues facing their municipalities or regions. While each conversation was unique to the respective areas in which these participants reside, a number of commonalities emerged amongst the groups. All groups mentioned affordable housing as an ongoing issue in their communities, with many also identifying additional challenges such as the need for infrastructure upgrades and repairs, increased mental health and addictions treatment services, and the need for increased financial and other supports designed to assist individuals and business owners in recovering following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newfoundland

Participants in Newfoundland shared their views regarding local and regional issues, particularly those pertaining to the housing market, fishing and aquaculture, and the oil and gas sector within the province.

Discussing housing, participants generally were of the view that it was increasingly difficult to find affordable housing across the province and that this was a greater issue within more populated centers relative to rural areas. Focusing on the factors contributing to this ongoing issue, many potential causes were identified, including:

A recent sharp rise in housing prices;
Low housing supply coupled with high demand;
A general trend of migration from rural to urban areas which was felt to have placed upward price pressure on both new and resale homes in urban centers;
Increased prices for building materials; and
An influx of foreign home buyers – it was the opinion of many participants that foreign investors had significantly contributed to the reduction in the inventory of homes for sale, with many purchasing properties in which they did not plan to reside.

Speaking more broadly, participants also commented that rental markets had being similarly affected by these rising prices, with many of the view that rental rates had increased dramatically in recent years.

Asked what the Government of Canada had done to help with the housing situation in Newfoundland, few participants could point to anything in particular other than supports for first-time homeowners such as the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (though not mentioned by name). In addition, some also mentioned hearing about the federal government’s provision of a $5,000 tax credit to those purchasing a home for the first time, referring to the Home Buyer’s Amount (HBA), though once again not by name.

Apart from additional tax breaks for homeowners as well as the implementation of policies aimed at keeping interest rates low, participants did not have many suggestions to offer in terms of what they would like to see the federal government do to help improve the housing situation in their area. The proposal of a federal tax on foreign-owned homes which sit empty for the majority of the year received mix reviews from participants. While some were aware of other jurisdictions in which such a tax had been considered or implemented and felt similar legislation could be enacted in Canada, others were concerned that the effective tax rate may not act as a sufficient disincentive to discourage foreign buyers or tangibly impact rising home prices.

A range of industries and sectors were identified by participants as being important to their local communities and the province more broadly. These included:

Tourism;
Fishing;
Oil and gas;
Construction;
Shipbuilding;
Health care; and
Aviation (specifically air traffic control in communities such as Gander and St. John’s).

Regarding St. John’s in particular, the public service was felt by some to be a major driver of employment within the community, with many individuals employed by the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government.

Discussing which areas were most in need of federal support, participants identified four key areas they felt needed further attention:

Healthcare – A number of participants mentioned issues such as lengthy wait times, shortages of physicians and other healthcare professionals, as well as the need to attract and incentivize a greater number of medical professionals to practice within the province;
Child care – A few participants highlighted the need for greater regulation within the child care sector in addition to efforts to incentivize individuals to work as early childhood educators. Some indicated awareness of the federal government plan to provide parents with $10-a-day on average child care, pointing to a recent agreement between Newfoundland and the Government of Canada on this front;
Small business sector – Participants felt small businesses had been particularly negatively impacted by the pandemic and continued to struggle. There was a perception among some that financial supports to businesses throughout the pandemic had not been enough to sustain some businesses. Some suggested that additional support in the form of grants, rather than loans which would need to be repaid, would be helpful; and
Construction – The high cost of building materials was also a concern for some participants who felt this was adversely affecting the construction industry as a whole and limiting the market for home renovations at present.

Focusing on the fishing industry within the province, there was a general feeling among participants that this sector had declined in importance in recent years, though still remained a significant employer in certain regions throughout the province, and coastal communities in particular. Several participants felt greater federal investment into this sector was required and should be prioritized by the Government of Canada. While very few participants were personally impacted by or directly involved in the fishing industry, many had personal connections to those who were. It was thought by many that a combination of factors, including overfishing, cuts to fishing quotas, rising fuel prices affecting shipping and transportation costs, as well as supply issues related to the pandemic had negatively impacted the fishing industry in recent years.

When asked about the role of the federal government in the fishing industry, participants volunteered that it could focus on the following:

Policing Canadian waters;
Restricting foreign fishing vessels from operating in Canadian waters;
Setting quotas as well as increased licensing and regulation related to the fishing industry; and
Developing a long-term plan focused on sustainable fishing practices, ensuring that undersea vegetation and the natural seafloor habitat were not irreparably damaged by practices such as trawling.

It was largely felt among participants that the Government of Canada had done very little to support the fishing sector. A few were of the opinion that policies, such as the cod moratorium (implemented in 1992 and prohibiting cod fishing along Canada’s east coast), had negatively impacted the livelihoods of thousands of fishers, devastating the sector in the process. Some participants also took exception to recent comments from federal government officials who emphasized that the goal of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) was to leave as many fish in the ocean as possible and to increase the growth of ocean vegetation as a possible method of combatting climate change. It was felt these types of comments demonstrated a lack of sensitivity to the importance of fishing to the provincial economy and the economic security of many in the province. Discussing the DFO more specifically, while most were aware of the department and generally understood its role, few could recall any recent activities or announcements related to fishing in Newfoundland or Canada more generally.

Discussing the oil and gas sector, all participants felt it to be a vital component of the provincial economy. In light of the recent conflict in Ukraine and resultant higher fuel costs, some also anticipated this sector could be expected to grow in importance in the near future. Focusing upon the future of the oil sector, participants commented that all new projects, such as Bay du Nord, needed to be developed in a safe and environmentally conscious way. While relatively few participants were either directly or indirectly involved in the industry, most were of the view that it was a major driver of employment within the province, particularly regarding the large number of offshore oil workers residing all throughout Newfoundland. It was felt that issues regarding access to offshore oil and gas reserves to be a key challenge currently facing the sector, with some specifically noting the significant financial investment required to develop these reserves. A few were also of the view that the oil and gas sector was currently in a period of transition, as demand for fossil fuels may begin to decline as nations and industries shift to ‘greener’ sources of energy and more sustainable technologies.

Discussing the role of the federal government related to the oil and gas sector, it was felt its primary responsibility was to serve as a regulator, reviewing proposed projects to assess possible risks. Some participants felt the Government of Canada could be doing more to ensure that all Canadians benefit from the extraction of oil and gas resources, specifically mentioning a desire to limit oil exports to foreign markets in order to provide Canadians with greater access to a stable and lower-cost supply. Others were of the view that the federal government should be more supportive of pipeline projects across Canada. There was a sense among some that the Government of Canada was somewhat conflicted in terms of supporting the oil and gas sector while also advancing numerous environment-related priorities, including the promotion of more renewable energy sources. It was felt by several that this was a difficult balance to maintain, causing some to question whether the oil and gas industry was truly a major priority for the federal government going forward. A number of participants felt there should be greater efforts at collaboration between federal and provincial/territorial governments with respect to resource projects and, in particular, developing a long-term plan for the future.

Most participants were aware of the Bay du Nord project proposed by Equinor, involving the development of a floating offshore oil and gas production facility in the Flemish Pass approximately 500 kilometres east of St. John’s. While a few participants had heard the project was in the review stage, and had not yet been approved at the time this focus group was held, most were not familiar with the federal government’s position on the project. Participants were generally of the view that the project would be beneficial, so long as the majority of the work to develop and operate this facility was undertaken in Newfoundland, driving job creation for those living in the province. Several also felt that the province stood to financially benefit from the royalties and revenues derived from the project.

In terms of potential downsides, two in particular were mentioned:

Environmental concerns; and
The long-term timeframe for project development which some felt might negate the need for it in the event of a large-scale transition away from dependency on oil and gas in the near future.

Participants were next informed that the project was currently going through an environmental assessment to determine if it should go forward. In the event that the assessment projected significant risks to the local environment, participants were somewhat split as to whether or not the project should proceed. Some were firmly of the view that any environmental impacts should be seriously considered in the context of their long-term implications not only for Canada, but globally. It was felt by these participants that if substantial environmental risks were identified the project should not proceed given potential risks to other sectors such as fisheries, eco-tourism, and other key industries within the Atlantic Canada region. Some felt differently, believing that risk mitigation plans could be developed to address these potential concerns and that the federal government should work with Equinor to address any issues that did emerge. Regardless of their view, most favoured a high level of transparency from the federal government as it carries out the environmental review and approvals process.

Trois-Rivières

Participants were asked to elaborate on a number of issues facing their community, including those specifically related to homes in the community built with foundations including pyrrhotite, a defective building material which had contributed to cracks and other structural damage to many local dwellings. While none had personally been affected by the pyrrhotite issue, many participants personally knew those whose homes had been built with pyrrhotite foundations. In addition, several also recalled hearing that a number of local homeowners had recently received compensation regarding this issue after a lengthy legal battle with SNC-Lavalin, the engineering firm responsible for the development and construction of these projects.

Discussing the issue of labour shortages, most participants believed this to be a significant issue affecting the community, with several pointing to challenges specifically in the retail sector with regards to being able to find adequate staff. Expanding upon this, some recounted instances of retail outlets remaining closed during peak business hours due to a lack of workers. Participants identified several reasons they felt were currently contributing to this issue:

The provision of financial assistance, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which many young people had applied for and received in the early stages of the pandemic. It was felt this support had unexpectedly acted as a disincentive, discouraging those who had received it from returning to work; and
Low wages in several sectors, which some felt had further impacted the motivation of individuals to go back to work, believing the compensation offered was not worth the time and energy required by these positions.

Most were unaware of anything the federal government had recently done to address labour shortages, aside from initiatives to expand the number of temporary foreign workers coming into Canada as a means of filling jobs where no Canadians were available. Discussing potential actions the federal government could take towards addressing labour shortages, suggestions from participants included:

Reviewing skills and experience requirements for certain jobs – some felt that lowering these requirements would provide more opportunities for individuals who may possess some, but not all, of the necessary qualifications;
Increasing the minimum wage – Some believed this would serve to attract more individuals into the labour force (though it was acknowledged this may be more of a provincial responsibility); and
Enforcing stricter eligibility criteria for financial assistance programs – several participants felt that a review of financial assistance programs should be undertaken specifically to identify how the eligibility criteria could be modified so as to target the programs more precisely to those most in need.

Asked which sectors or industries were most important to their community, participants mentioned agriculture, clean energy (specifically electricity generation from wind turbines), automotive manufacturing, and healthcare. In terms of those sectors requiring increased federal support, participants identified areas such as healthcare, education, tourism, and recreation. It was felt these sectors were of vital importance, directly impacting a large portion of those in the community as well as others visiting the area.

On the topic of infrastructure needs in Trois-Rivières, a few felt more needed to be done in regards to improving roadways within the area. Relatively few participants were aware of any investments the federal government had made towards infrastructure in Trois-Rivières, although some were under the impression that it may have contributed to funding the Colisée Vidéotron arena which opened in September, 2021 replacing the aging Colisée Trois-Rivières.

Prompted regarding the federal government’s investment towards a High Frequency Rail proposed to be built along the Quebec City-Toronto corridor, participants were unsure as to the other primary financial backers of this project. A few also questioned the need for this service in the first place, while others were of the opinion that it would make travel between these major centres far easier.

Ottawa

Local issues of concern were discussed among those in Ottawa, gauging participant perspectives regarding key sectors and industries within their region as well as recent federal actions specifically targeted towards their community.

Asked to identify important industries in their area, a number of participants mentioned information technology (IT) as an important sector, with some being of the view that building and using Canadian-made technology (as opposed to importing technology from other countries) was an important priority for the federal government to focus on. Prompted further about other sectors and industries in Ottawa which they felt needed the most help in terms of federal support, participants responses varied with many focusing on issues specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These included:

Tourism – It was felt that a greater emphasis on tourism, both in Ottawa and across the country, was important. Participants believed there needed to be a greater focus by the federal government on promoting travel within Canada, especially as federal and provincial/territorial public health measures began to loosen;
Small businesses – While acknowledging that the Government of Canada had done well at supporting small businesses throughout the pandemic, some were concerned that certain businesses were no longer receiving funding they felt to still be critically needed;
Long-term care – Participants also discussed challenges related to long-term care, suggesting more support was need to overhaul the current system. While some acknowledged that long-term care was under provincial jurisdiction, it was felt the Government of Canada should be doing more to support the provinces on this particular issue; and
Healthcare – A few participants also were of the view that the healthcare system in their respective communities currently lacked the necessary resources to provide a proper level of ongoing care for patients.

The discussion next shifted to focus specifically on infrastructure. Unprompted, almost all participants, referenced the light-rail transit (LRT) as one of the most important infrastructure projects in Ottawa that the federal government could support. While some expressed concerns around perceived contractual issues regarding the project, others described what they felt to be the general unreliability of the current system. Participants also discussed the need for the LRT system to be expanded to the east and west ends of the city in order to provide better access to those living in suburban communities. Many felt there was a need for the Government of Canada to provide further assistance towards solving these issues. Expanding upon this, a few participants indicated awareness that the Government of Canada had been involved in the project both through the provision of monetary funding, as well as donated land (through the National Capital Commission (NCC)). Few others had heard about any specific actions taken by the federal government on this front.

Apart from the LRT, a few participants also referenced the importance of upgrading aging infrastructure in Ottawa. In particular, a focus on green energy and the retrofitting of old buildings and upgrading of heating systems were mentioned by participants as important initiatives.

Halton and Peel Regions

The group based in the Halton and Peel regions of Ontario discussed local issues specific to their communities. Speaking on what some of the biggest issues or concerns were in their areas, participants discussed a number of infrastructure challenges currently facing their regions. The main issue focused on by participants related to what some viewed as a significant influx of people moving into their neighbourhoods, believing this had placed significant strain on the current transportation system, especially on major roads and highways. Due to this population increase, many felt the existing infrastructure in their communities would not be able to support this increased demand. In addition, several felt that extensive traffic and seemingly constant construction on these major roadways had made it very difficult for people to commute to and from work. In terms of support the Government of Canada could provide, some suggested expanding the 400-series highways, feeling more federal resources could be devoted towards accomplishing this goal. Some also discussed prioritizing increased access to public transit, assisting these communities in relieving some of the congestion currently impacting major roadways.

Focusing on other issues impacting their communities, many expressed concerns regarding what they viewed as a lack of accessibility to mental health services in their area. Some felt the COVID-19 pandemic had served to greatly exacerbate mental health issues among many individuals (and younger Canadians in particular) due to the anxiety, isolation, and ongoing public health requirements over the past two years.

Asked to identify which sectors they believed to be most important to their local communities, many mentioned the automotive industry, including the Ford motor plant in Oakville. Other mentions included the product delivery industry with some specifically mentioning major employers such as Amazon and Sysco. Discussing more specifically which local industries required the most help or support from the Government of Canada, participants tended to place greater focus on those sectors they felt had been impacted the most by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some discussed the need to continue to support small businesses and restaurants, feeling these types of industries had been significantly disadvantaged by public health requirements implemented during the pandemic. Discussing what the federal government had done to support small businesses, while some recalled hearing about wage subsidies (such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), many believed more needed to be done on this front. Regarding other issues impacting their communities, some felt the Government of Canada could provide greater assistance towards providing affordable housing, as well as revitalizing the tourism industry and encouraging more people to travel within Canada.

Rural Manitoba

Local issues of concern were discussed amongst the group residing in rural Manitoba. A number of participants mentioned agriculture as a key sector within their region. While few could recall anything the Government of Canada had recently done to support this sector, many felt a greater emphasis could be placed on incentivizing more individuals, particularly younger Canadians, to pursue careers in agriculture, believing too few were currently considering these career paths and that this may become a growing issue going forward, potentially causing labour shortages and impacting food production in the future. Some also suggested the federal government could provide additional support in the form of low interest loans, specifically focusing on those looking to start new farming businesses or make improvements to their existing operations.

Tourism was also viewed by some individuals as an important industry to their region. Participants expressed a number of concerns regarding the tourism industry, specifically believing this sector had been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and feeling that more needed to be done by the federal government to encourage increased travel within Canada.

Asked to think more broadly about Manitoba overall, participants mentioned a wide range of local issues, including:

Availability and quality of rural healthcare – Several participants discussed the difficulties they had encountered in accessing physicians in their rural communities, with some of the view that the healthcare system more generally across Manitoba was overburdened. Some mentioned having to travel to larger cities to receive specialized treatment, while others thought the quality of doctors in their local areas to be comparatively lower to those in more urban centres;
Lack of addiction, mental health, and other social services – Many felt greater access to these types of services was a necessity, particularly in rural towns currently facing drug crises and a greater prevalence of mental health issues;
Rising fuel prices – It was felt that increasing costs of fuel had made commuting very expensive for some, especially those whose jobs required them to drive long distances each day;
Clearing of winter roadways – A few believed there was not enough being done with regards to snow removal and clearing of roads and highways throughout the winter in Manitoba. This was felt to contribute to more dangerous driving conditions as well as the cancellation of essential services such as schools, with students and teachers unable to commute to class; and
Unemployment rates – A small number were of the view that there were limited viable employment opportunities in their community, particularly for youth who often left their hometowns in search of greater economic and social benefits.

Discussing broadband Internet service, most believed high-speed Internet to be an ongoing issue within their communities. It was thought that many rural areas in Manitoba currently had limited or no access to broadband, and for those that did have access, the current Internet infrastructure was felt to be quite inconsistent in terms of its connection speeds and general reliability. Participants also shared concerns about a growing consolidation of Internet service providers in their region, believing this had led to these companies charging exorbitant prices due to less competition within the market. Many participants expressed the need for a more feasible, reliable Internet solution for their communities. Related to this, few were aware of any recent infrastructure or projects from the federal government towards increasing broadband services in these communities. To clarify for participants, it was shared that the Government of Canada currently was planning to invest $41 million towards improving Internet speeds within 93 communities in rural Manitoba. Several reacted positively upon hearing of this initiative.

Lastly, participants were asked to identify additional infrastructure needs within rural Manitoba. Several reiterated the need to repair and expand major roadways throughout their region, believing these to be long-term investments the federal government could support. Other areas mentioned included the creation of more proactive, anti-flood systems as well as greater support for hydroelectricity projects.

Calgary

Participants in this group discussed a number of issues specific to the City of Calgary, including housing, the growing prevalence of opioid addiction, and infrastructure-related needs. Discussing housing in the region, some raised concerns regarding what they viewed as an increase in homelessness as well as the lack of availability of low-income housing in the region, feelings these two issues were interconnected. Many also expressed concern, more generally, regarding the affordability of homes in Calgary. Some were of the view that substantial foreign investment had served to drive up housing prices in the city, making it unaffordable for those in the community to purchase homes. It was thought by a few participants that an increasing number of Canadians had relocated from larger cities (such as Toronto and Vancouver) to Calgary in recent years, viewing Calgary as a comparatively more affordable housing option. Participants believed there was more that could be done by the federal government on this front, specifically regarding implementing stricter regulations against foreign investment in Canadian housing. While a few mentioned the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive as a federal program assisting Canadians in entering the housing market, many of the young adults within the group were more or less unaware of this program and suggested more should be done to promote it.

Most participants felt opioid addiction was becoming increasingly prevalent in their community and that more could be done on the part of the Government of Canada to help improve the current situation. Participants suggested that addressing the lack of mental health resources in their communities would likely make a major impact, with many viewing mental health challenges as a key driver behind opioid use. Expanding upon this, some felt a greater focus on educating Canadians, and youth in particular, regarding the dangers of addiction would be helpful in stemming this growing issue. Asked who they felt to be most responsible for the opioid crisis, participant responses varied. While some reiterated concerns regarding a lack of education and mental health supports, others felt that the overprescription of opioids by physicians and the ease of accessing the illicit substances had greatly increased the problem.

Discussing important local industries and sectors, participant responses were varied, with a multitude of areas being mentioned including home renovations, food delivery, oil and gas production, and technology. Asked which industries needed the most support from the federal government, a few key sectors emerged from the discussion, particularly those areas most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These included:

Arts and entertainment – Some felt this sector had been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and that more assistance post-pandemic would need to be provided to those working in this area;
Healthcare – A few participants were of the opinion that there was currently a significant lack of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers in their area. Suggestions were made related to the need to increase the labour force across the entirety of the provincial healthcare system; and
Supply chain concerns – Some also felt attention should be devoted to strengthening Canadian supply chains. A few participants recounted experiencing shortage of products during the pandemic and expressed concerns about Canada’s reliance on foreign products moving forward.

Asked more specifically what Calgary required in terms of infrastructure improvements, a number of responses were provided, including the expansion of public transit services and investment into affordable housing projects. While awareness of recent federal investments into local infrastructure projects was quite low, a small number of participants believed the Government of Canada had contributed to the recent construction of institutions such as the Calgary Cancer Centre.

Northern British Columbia

The group comprised of participants from northern British Columbia discussed a number of issues specific to their local region. To begin this conversation, participants were asked to share what they felt to be the biggest local concerns in their local communities at present. A number of responses were provided, including:

A lack of healthcare personnel and services. It was felt by a number of participants that family doctors were difficult to find in many communities and that few specialists practiced within the region, forcing some to have to travel long distances to receive treatment for specific medical issues. Mental health services and addictions treatment were also felt to be important issues in need of greater focus from all levels of government;
The need to repair and revitalize vital infrastructure, particularly important roadways connecting northern communities to the rest of the province. It was thought by some that several of the major highways connecting British Columbia and Alberta were often in disarray and this frequently led to increased strain on smaller highways. Many felt that greater support towards expanding these highways and providing better regular maintenance to existing roadways was important. Regarding specific infrastructure-related projects, a few participants mentioned the proposed plan to expand the shipping capacity of the Port of Prince Rupert as a particularly promising initiative; and
Economic development focusing on resource extraction and other natural resources, such as lumber. Some participants expressed that more should be done to utilize the province’s natural resources, providing additional revenue for the province in addition to creating a number of jobs for B.C. residents.

Focusing on housing, many participants shared that affordable housing was an issue, both within their own communities as well as Canada more broadly. Several were of the opinion that housing options, both for prospective homebuyers as well as renters, were in increasing short supply. Both the rising cost of housing as well as the increased cost of building materials were seen as primary drivers of this issue, which many felt to be widespread across the province. A small number, living in communities such as Fort St. John, felt differently, believing the housing situation had actually improved in recent years, citing affordable prices as well as a surplus of available housing in their area. Asked what the federal government had done regarding housing, no participants could call any recent announcements or initiatives.

Discussing the issue of homelessness, many participants believed this to be a growing concern amongst their local communities, with some specifically focusing on Prince George, which was thought to have experienced this issue to a greater extent relative to other municipalities in the region. Some were of the view that many vulnerable individuals travelled to Prince George due to the greater ability to access services such as healthcare and addictions treatment there. Due to this, however, it was thought by many participants that the local healthcare and social services systems were now under considerable strain. While most felt there to be a number of issues contributing to the issue of homelessness in the region, a number of participants expressed that mental health and addiction issues were key drivers behind this perceived increase of those experiencing homelessness in recent years. All felt the federal government had a role to play in this issue, with many saying there should be increased funding for affordable housing, mental health treatment, and addictions rehabilitation facilities in the region. Some also felt there should be a greater focus towards recruiting and training additional mental health professionals, perceiving this to be a rapidly growing issue at present. It was also thought more could be done to expedite the credential recognition process of qualified foreign-born mental health professionals, allowing more to come to Canada and practice.

Many felt opioid addiction to be a major issue in their local communities and across northern British Columbia more generally. While several participants believed that childhood and intergenerational trauma were key drivers of addiction, others expressed the opinion that addiction to opiates could also occur unexpectedly, mentioning that individuals who were prescribed opioids by physicians could inadvertently became dependent on these substances for pain relief. A number of participants felt opioids were too easily accessible and overprescribed at present by physicians. In addition, some also believed the criminalization and stigma of addiction had served to further exacerbate this issue for many individuals, discouraging them from seeking treatment for fear of being prosecuted for illegal substance use. A few participants perceived this issue to have increased in severity over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to the isolation and mental health challenges which were felt to have been experienced by many Canadians over the past two years.

Asked to identify the most important sectors and industries in their local communities, many focused on the mining and natural resource sector, specifically mentioning coal, oil and gas, and logging as vital industries in their area. Others mentioned sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism as key drivers of their local economies. Discussing which areas needed the greatest amount of support from the Government of Canada, participants identified a selection of key areas, including:

Forestry – It was felt both the provincial and federal governments needed to work to provide greater forest health planning, in particular working to mitigate problems such as the spread of pine beetles and the possibility of widespread forest fires in the region;
Agriculture – Some reported concerns about global supply chain related issues that could potentially result in food shortages in some communities. In light of this, it was felt a greater emphasis should be placed on local and regional food production, particularly in northern British Columbia which was felt to have the ability to considerably expand its agricultural capacity; and
Tourism and hospitality – It was felt the tourism sector had suffered greatly due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic and that greater federal support towards funding and promoting tourist destinations in northern British Columbia could go a long way towards revitalizing the sector.

Focusing on infrastructure more specifically, several participants shared that more could be done to better maintain and expand northern highways, as well as focus on repairing aging public buildings and drainage systems in communities (such as Prince George), which were currently thought to be in poor condition. A few others suggested projects including the construction of an oil refinery in northern British Columbia, the expansion of rail services to remote destinations (such as the Port of Stewart), and a greater focus on providing federal support to individual communities to allow local leadership to allocate this funding to the specific needs facing their municipalities. A small number of participants were of the view that more should be done to increase the manufacturing capacity of northern British Columbia and believed that Canada, more generally, should place a greater emphasis on domestic production rather than international trade.

Yukon

Participants in the group from Yukon engaged in a discussion specifically focusing on matters relevant to their local communities and the region more generally.

To begin, participants were asked for their views on the current housing situation in their communities. Many pointed to what they felt to be a drastic housing shortage, believing there was not nearly enough housing available at present to support those living in the territory and that this issue was only growing worse with time. For the housing that was available, it was felt that prices had gone up substantially in recent years, both for prospective homebuyers as well as renters. In addition, it was felt that much of the housing supply within the region was in poor condition, providing few safe and affordable options, particularly for those with young children.

Discussing how the housing situation had changed in recent years, a number of participants pointed to what they felt to be a rapid rise in people relocating to the territory. Participants specifically mentioned larger communities, such as Whitehorse, which were felt to have grown substantially over a short period of time. This was believed to have exacerbated housing prices further, placing increased demand on an already limited supply. Some also felt this perceived lack of affordable housing, particularly in terms of rental options, had been driven by individual landlords buying up numerous homes in some communities, providing them with greater control over the prices of local housing markets.

Asked who they felt was responsible for housing in the territory, most expressed that it was primarily the responsibility of the Government of Yukon, along with some cooperation with governments at the municipal level. Discussing the role of the federal government in this area, some participants positively mentioned the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive as a helpful recent initiative, while others were of the impression that the Government of Canada had recently provided funding towards a number of new housing projects in the region.

Many felt the Government of Canada could play a role in improving the housing situation in the territory. While some suggested the federal government should focus on increasing funding for the development of affordable housing, others were of the view that the Government of Canada could pursue the creation of a social housing program funded and managed by the federal government, ensuring greater control over maintaining affordable housing costs. A few also proposed expanding initiatives such as the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, making these accessible to a greater number of Canadians and increasing the threshold for assistance for those looking to purchase in particularly expensive housing markets. It was expressed that housing was a basic need and that the federal government should do whatever it could to ensure all Canadians had access to safe and affordable housing.

Asked about the most important sectors in their region, participants identified areas such as mining and resource extraction, tourism, and the hospitality industry as major drivers of business in their communities. A few also felt the public sector at all levels (municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal) was a major employer within the territory. Several participants believed more assistance needed to be provided to the tourism and hospitality industries, particularly in the wake of economic issues brought on this sector by the COVID-19 pandemic. A few also mentioned social assistance programs and funding for vulnerable individuals and groups, as well as increased telecommunications capacity as areas in need of greater focus from the federal government.

Discussing the most important issues participants felt to currently be facing the Yukon, a number of responses were provided. These included:

Affordable housing – Several reiterated the view that there was currently a dearth of affordable housing options throughout much of the region;
Infrastructure – It was felt that many roadways in the North were currently under poor condition, particularly in the winter months when snow clearing became difficult due to limited resources and equipment in several communities. In addition, it was felt that many buildings in communities (such as Whitehorse) were in poor condition and more funding needed to be devoted to renovation as well as new building projects within the region;
Energy – While some believed a significant degree of progress had been made in switching to more renewable forms of energy in recent years, it was still felt many remained too dependent on non-renewable energy sources such as oil and natural gas;
Crime – Some participants felt that property crime in their areas had increased significantly in recent years. This was generally thought to be a symptom of more systemic problems such as a lack of safe and affordable housing, addictions issues, as well as growing mental health concerns; and
Mental health – Several participants felt there needed to be far more investment into mental health care. Many identified this as a major problem, particularly for younger members of their community and those whose mental health had suffered following two years of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asked specifically if they felt labour shortages were an issue in their region at present, several participants believed that they were. It was thought that many businesses and sectors were finding it difficult to recruit talented workers to come to the region to work. A key driver of this issue was once again attributed to a lack of affordable housing for those considering moving to the territory, with several participants of the opinion that this had discouraged potential workers. Some perceived low wages as an issue as well, believing that many potential employees simply did not find it worthwhile to work for the wages currently being offered. A few suggested the federal and/or territorial governments could work to implement skills development programs for young people within the territory, providing them with useful skills that would allow them to seamlessly enter the labour force upon reaching adulthood. Asked if they were aware of any programs or initiatives from the federal government regarding this issue, no participants could recall having heard anything on this front.

Discussing the fishing industry in the territory, very few participants recalled having heard anything recently regarding salmon in the Yukon River. For the small number that heard something, they recalled that salmon counts were currently down, though few other details were able to be provided. To aid in discussion, participants were informed that Yukon River systems that typically would see dependably high volumes of chum salmon, had experienced significant declines in both 2020 and 2021, with only around 20% of the normal numbers of fish returning. Having received this clarification, a few more participants recalled having heard about this issue. Some felt this to be a major issue of concern, particularly for Indigenous communities who depended on fish as a primary food source. Several participants, including those who were not aware of this issue prior to this conversation, expressed concern about this sharp decline in the salmon population. Discussing potential causes, many felt climate change was a key driver of this issue. Some others also suggested overfishing in the Bering Sea had also contributed to the problem. While few felt this issue would affect them personally, some expressed concern for those in these communities, including Indigenous peoples and elders, for whom fishing (both for sustenance and recreationally) was a major component of their lives. Others were worried about the environmental impact of this issue on the region, and it was discussed that a sharp decrease in one species could lead to potential complications for the rest of the ecosystem. Asked what needed to be done in order to address this issue, a few felt there needed to be a complete shutdown of fishing, allowing the salmon population to recover naturally over the long-term. Others thought local hatchery programs, focused on releasing small fry salmon into the ecosystem, could be expanded to help rebuild these populations. It was also expressed that both the federal and territorial governments should devote greater funding to researching the root causes of this issue, as well as working in collaboration with U.S. (notably Alaska) counterparts to find a solution.

Thinking on infrastructure needs within the territory, many believed more needed to be done to accommodate the expanding populations in many Yukon communities. In Whitehorse, more specifically, it was felt that a second commuter bridge could be added to assist in reducing traffic congestion between the Riverdale area and the downtown core. In addition, a few participants also suggested the cultivation of a more comprehensive trail system throughout the city, particularly for those looking to commute via bicycle in the warmer months of the year. Some identified growing ‘urban sprawl’ as an issue of recent concern, feeling the city was expanding outward but with little infrastructure to connect these new developments to the rest of the community. Expanding upon this, participants thought an increase in public transport capacity was an important step for the municipal and territorial governments to focus on moving forward. While a small number believed the federal government had provided some support for infrastructure projects within Whitehorse (such as the planned rebuilding of city hall), very few could recall any other recent federal investments into infrastructure in the region.

Asked to identify any recent actions by the federal government which had a positive impact on their communities, some were of the impression that the Government of Canada had devoted a considerable amount of funding to the mining sector within the territory. A few others commended the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to Yukon communities during the pandemic and felt this process had been handled in a manner that was both efficient and equitable.

Focusing on climate change, several participants expressed the view that the world was currently experiencing a climate emergency. This was felt to be an issue of immense concern going forward, especially with the resumption of trade and industrial activity following the relative inaction experienced by many sectors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Asked if the Yukon had been impacted by climate change, many thought that it had. Several were of the view that climate patterns had changed and that temperatures in the region, particularly during the winter months, had warmed in recent decades. A number of participants identified flooding due to snowmelt and wildfires in the summer months as their primary concerns regarding the impact of climate change in the short-term. Some were under the impression that territorial and municipal officials had already taken steps to address these concerns, including increased sandbagging activities in several communities in anticipation of potential floods during the spring. No participants could recall any recent actions by the federal government on this front, though a number expressed the desire to see greater collaboration between the federal and territorial governments towards devising longer-term strategies to address climate-related concerns.

Appendix A – Recruiting Scripts

English Recruiting Script

Privy Council Office

Recruiting Script – March 2022

English Groups

Recruitment Specifications Summary

Groups conducted online
Each group is expected to last for two hours
Recruit 8 participants
Incentives will be $100 per person and will be sent to participants via e-transfer following the group

Specifications for the focus groups are as follows:

GROUP	DATE	TIME (EST/EDT)	TIME (LOCAL)	LOCATION	COMPOSITION	MODERATOR
1	Thurs., March 3^rd	6:00-8:00 (EST)	6:00-8:00 (EST)	Ottawa	General Population	DN
2	Tues., March 8^th	4:30-6:30 (EST)	5:30-7:30 (AST) 6:00-8:00 (NST)	Newfoundland	General Population	DN
4	Thurs., March 10^th	6:00-8:00 (EST)	6:00-8:00 (EST)	Ontario-U.S. Border Cities	Parents of Children Under 12	TBW
5	Tues., March 15 ^th	9:00-11:00 (EDT)	6:00-8:00 (MST)	Yukon	General Population	TBW
6	Wed., March 16^th	7:00-9:00 (EDT)	6:00-8:00 (CDT)	Rural Manitoba	General Population	TBW
8	Tues., March 22^nd	8:00-10:00 (EDT)	6:00-8:00 (MDT)	Calgary	Young Adults, aged 18-30	TBW
9	Wed., March 23^rd	9:00-11:00 (EDT)	6:00-8:00 (PDT) 7:00-9:00 (MDT)	Northern British Columbia	General Population	TBW
10	Thurs., March 24^th	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	Halton & Peel Regions	Financially Precarious	DN
11	Tues., March 29^th	8:00-10:00 (EDT)	6:00-8:00 (CST)	Major Centres Saskatchewan	Heavy Social Media Users	DN

Recruiting Script

INTRODUCTION

Hello, my name is [RECRUITER NAME]. I'm calling from The Strategic Counsel, a national public opinion research firm, on behalf of the Government of Canada/Bonjour, je m’appelle [NOM DU RECRUTEUR]. Je vous téléphone du Strategic Counsel, une entreprise nationale de recherche sur l’opinion publique, pour le compte du gouvernement du Canada.

Would you prefer to continue in English or French?/Préfériez-vous continuer en français ou en anglais? [CONTINUE IN LANGUAGE OF PREFERENCE]

RECORD LANGUAGE

English CONTINUE

French THANK AND END

On behalf of the Government of Canada, we’re organizing a series of online video focus group discussions to explore current issues of interest to Canadians.

The format is a “round table” discussion, led by an experienced moderator. Participants will be given a cash honorarium in appreciation of their time.

Your participation is completely voluntary and all your answers will be kept confidential. We are only interested in hearing your opinions - no attempt will be made to sell or market you anything. The report that is produced from the series of discussion groups we are holding will not contain comments that are attributed to specific individuals.

But before we invite you to attend, we need to ask you a few questions to ensure that we get a good mix/variety of people in each of the groups. May I ask you a few questions?

YesCONTINUE

NoTHANK AND END

SCREENING QUESTIONS

1. Have you, or has anyone in your household, worked for any of the following types of organizations in the last 5 years?

A market research firm

THANK AND END

A marketing, branding or advertising agency

THANK AND END

A magazine or newspaper

THANK AND END

A federal/provincial/territorial government department or agency

THANK AND END

A political party

THANK AND END

In public/media relations

THANK AND END

In radio/television

THANK AND END

No, none of the above

CONTINUE

1a. IN ALL LOCATIONS: Are you a retired Government of Canada employee?

YesTHANK AND END

NoCONTINUE

2. In which city do you reside?

LOCATION	CITIES
Ottawa	City includes: Ottawa. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD RESIDE IN THE ABOVE-NOTED CENTER PROPER.	CONTINUE - GROUP 1
Newfoundland	Cities could include (but are not limited to): St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Corner Brook, Conception Bay South, Paradise, Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander, Torbay, Portugal Cove-St. Phillip`s, Stephenville, Clarenville, Bay Roberts, Marystown, Deer Lake. NO MORE THAN TWO PER CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 2
Ontario-U.S. Border Cities	Cities could include (but are not limited to): Sault Ste. Marie, Fort Frances, Prescott, Kingston-Brockville-Ganonoque, Cornwall, Fort Erie, Niagara, Sarnia, Windsor. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION.	CONTINUE - GROUP 4
Yukon	Cities could include (but are not limited to): Whitehorse, Dawson City. AIM FOR NO MORE THAN 4 FROM WHITEHORSE. AIM FOR A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 5
Rural Manitoba	Rural = <6,000 population Cities could include (but are not limited to): Niverville, Neepawa, The Pas, Stonewall, Oakbank, Flin Flon, Altona, Swan River, Lorette. NO MORE THAN TWO PER CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION.	CONTINUE - GROUP 6
Calgary	City includes: Calgary. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD RESIDE IN THE ABOVE-NOTED CENTER PROPER.	CONTINUE - GROUP 8
Northern British Columbia	Cities could include (but are not limited to): Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace, Prince Rupert, Dawson Creek, Kitimat, Smithers. MAX 2 PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 9
Halton & Peel Regions	Cities could include (but are not limited to): Halton: Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville. Peel: Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. ENSURE 4 PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH REGION. NO MORE THAN 1 PER CITY/TOWN. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 10
Major Centres Saskatchewan	Cities include: Saskatoon, Regina. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD RESIDE IN THE ABOVE-NOTED CENTERS PROPER. ENSURE 4 PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH MAJOR CITY.	CONTINUE - GROUP 11

2a. How long have you lived in [INSERT CITY]? RECORD NUMBER OF YEARS.

Less than two years	THANK AND END
Two years or more	CONTINUE
Don’t know/Prefer not to answer	THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY NUMBER OF YEARS IN CITY. NO MORE THAN 2 PER GROUP UNDER 5 YEARS.

3. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 4 Do you have any children under the age of 12?

Yes CONTINUE TO Q3a

NoTHANK AND END

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

3a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 4 Could you please tell me the ages of these children?

Child	Age
1
2
3
4
5

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY AGE AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN EACH GROUP. ALL MUST HAVE AT LEAST 1 CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 AND 11.

4. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 10 Which of the following best describes your financial situation?

I feel financially insecure much of the time	CONTINUE
I feel financially insecure all the time	CONTINUE
I feel financially secure some of the time	THANK AND END
I rarely or never feel financially insecure
Don’t know/Not sure

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY FINANCIAL INSECURITY.

4a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 10 How concerned are you that you might lose your job or your main source of employment income over the next year or two, whether as a result of layoffs, restructuring or some other reason that is out of your control?

Very concerned CONTINUE

Somewhat concerned CONTINUE

Not that concerned THANK AND END

Not concerned at allTHANK AND END

5. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 11 Which of the following statements describe your relationship with social media?

I check my social media multiple times a day and post often CONTINUE TO 5A

I check my social media multiple times a day and post occasionally CONTINUE TO 5A

I regularly check my social media multiple times a day CONTINUE TO 5A

I check my social media at least once a day CONTINUE TO 5A

I check my social media a few times a week THANK AND END

I don’t check my social media often THANK AND END

I don’t have social media THANK AND END

5a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 11 Which of the following statements best describes how others interact with your social media

I have a large following on social media who often comment on or share my posts

I have a large following on social media who do not often comment on or share my posts

I have a small/moderate following on social media who often comment on or share my posts

I have a small/moderate following on social media who do not often comment on or share my posts THANK AND END

I do not have much of/any following on social media THANK AND END

ENSURE A MIX OF TYPE OF FOLLOWING AND AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT ON AND POSITING ON SOCIAL MEDIA. SKEW TO THOSE WHO HAVE LARGE FOLLOWINGS WHO OFTEN/DO NOT OFTEN COMMENT/SHARE THEIR POSTS.

6. Would you be willing to tell me in which of the following age categories you belong?

25-30	IF CALGARY = GROUP 8 ALL OTHER LOCATIONS, CONTINUE
Under 18 years of age	IF POSSIBLE, ASK FOR SOMEONE OVER 18 AND REINTRODUCE. OTHERWISE THANK AND END.
18-24	IF CALGARY = GROUP 8 ALL OTHER LOCATIONS, CONTINUE
31-44	IF CALGARY = THANK AND END ALL OTHER LOCATIONS, CONTINUE
45-54
55+
VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer	THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF AGES WITHIN EACH GROUP.
PARENTS IN GROUP 4 MAY SKEW YOUNGER-MIDDLE AGED (30S/40S).

7. [DO NOT ASK] Gender RECORD BY OBSERVATION.

Male	CONTINUE
Female	CONTINUE

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY GENDER IN EACH GROUP.
PARENTS IN GROUP 4 MAY SKEW FEMALE BUT TRY FOR A 50/50 SPLIT MALE/FEMALE.

8. Which of the following racial or cultural groups best describes you? (multi-select)

White/Caucasian

South Asian (e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan)

Chinese

Black

Latin American

Filipino

Arab

Southeast Asian (e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai)

Korean or Japanese

Indigenous

Other (specify)

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

9. Which of the following best describes the industry sector in which you are currently employed?

Accommodation and Food Services

Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

Construction

Educational Services

Finance and Insurance

Health Care and Social Assistance

Information and Cultural Industries

Management of Companies and Enterprises

Manufacturing

Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction

Other Services (except Public Administration)

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

Public Administration

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Retail Trade

Transportation and Warehousing

Utilities

Wholesale Trade

Unemployed

Full Time Student

Retired

Other, please specify: ______________

CONTINUE FOR ALL. ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH GROUP. NO MORE THAN TWO PER SECTOR. NO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.

10. Are you familiar with the concept of a focus group?

YesCONTINUE

No EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING “a focus group consists of six to eight participants and one moderator. During a two-hour session, participants are asked to discuss a wide range of issues related to the topic being examined.”

11. As part of the focus group, you will be asked to actively participate in a conversation. Thinking of how you engage in group discussions, how would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 means ‘you tend to sit back and listen to others’ and 5 means ‘you are usually one of the first people to speak’?

1-2THANK AND END

3-5CONTINUE

12. As this group is being conducted online, in order to participate you will need to have high-speed Internet and a computer with a working webcam, microphone and speaker. RECRUITER TO CONFIRM THE FOLLOWING. TERMINATE IF NO TO ANY.

Participant has high-speed access to the Internet

Participant has a computer/webcam

13. Have you used online meeting software, such as Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts/Meet, etc., in the last two years?

YesCONTINUE

NoCONTINUE

14. How skilled would you say you are at using online meeting platforms on your own, using a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means you are not at all skilled, and 5 means you are very skilled?

1-2THANK AND END

3-5CONTINUE

15. During the discussion, you could be asked to read or view materials on screen and/or participate in poll-type exercises online. You will also be asked to actively participate online using a webcam. Can you think of any reason why you may have difficulty reading the materials or participating by video?
TERMINATE IF RESPONDENT OFFERS ANY REASON SUCH AS SIGHT OR HEARING PROBLEM, A WRITTEN OR VERBAL LANGUAGE PROBLEM, A CONCERN WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, ANY CONCERNS WITH USING A WEBCAM OR IF YOU AS THE INTERVIEWER HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE PARTICIPANT’S ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE EFFECTIVELY.

16. Have you ever attended a focus group discussion, an interview or survey which was arranged in advance and for which you received a sum of money?

Yes CONTINUE

No SKIP TO Q.20

17. How long ago was the last focus group you attended?

Less than 6 months ago THANK AND END

More than 6 months ago CONTINUE

18. How many focus group discussions have you attended in the past 5 years?

0-4 groups CONTINUE

5 or more groups THANK AND END

19. On what topics were they and do you recall who or what organization the groups were being undertaken for?

TERMINATE IF ANY ON SIMILAR/SAME TOPIC OR GOVERNMENT OF CANADA IDENTIFIED AS ORGANIZATION

ADDITIONAL RECRUITING CRITERIA

Now we have just a few final questions before we give you the details of the focus group, including the time and date.

20. What is the highest level of formal education that you have completed?

Grade 8 or less

Some high school

High school diploma or equivalent

Registered Apprenticeship or other trades certificate or diploma

College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma

University certificate or diploma below bachelor's level

Bachelor's degree

Post graduate degree above bachelor's level

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

21. Which of the following categories best describes your total household income in 2020? That is, the total income of all persons in your household combined, before taxes?

Under $20,000

$20,000 to just under $40,000

$40,000 to just under $60,000

$60,000 to just under $80,000

$80,000 to just under $100,000

$100,000 to just under $150,000

$150,000 and above

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

22. The focus group discussion will be audio-taped and video-taped for research purposes only. The taping is conducted to assist our researchers in writing their report. Do you consent to being audio-taped and video-taped?

Yes

NoTHANK AND END

INVITATION

I would like to invite you to this online focus group discussion, which will take place the evening of [INSERT DATE/TIME BASED ON GROUP # IN CHART ON PAGE 1]. The group will be two hours in length and you will receive $100 for your participation following the group via an e-transfer.

Please note that there may be observers from the Government of Canada at the group and that the discussion will be videotaped. By agreeing to participate, you have given your consent to these procedures.

Would you be willing to attend?

YesCONTINUE

NoTHANK AND END

May I please have your full name, a telephone number that is best to reach you at as well as your e-mail address if you have one so that I can send you the details for the group?

Name:

Telephone Number:

E-mail Address:

You will receive an e-mail from The Strategic Counsel with the instructions to login to the online group. Should you have any issues logging into the system specifically, you can contact our technical support team at support@thestrategiccounsel.com.

We ask that you are online at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the session in order to ensure you are set up and to allow our support team to assist you in case you run into any technical issues. We also ask that you restart your computer prior to joining the group.

You may be required to view some material during the course of the discussion. If you require glasses to do so, please be sure to have them handy at the time of the group. Also, you will need pen and paper in order to take some notes throughout the group.

This is a firm commitment. If you anticipate anything preventing you from attending (either home or work-related), please let me know now and we will keep your name for a future study. If for any reason you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible at [1-800-xxx-xxxx] so we can find a replacement.

Thank you very much for your time.

RECRUITED BY: ____________________

DATE RECRUITED: ____________________

French Recruiting Script

Bureau du Conseil privé

Questionnaire de recrutement – mars 2022

Groupes en français

Résumé des consignes de recrutement

Groupes tenus en ligne.
Durée prévue de chaque rencontre : deux heures.
Recrutement de huit participants.
Incitatifs de 125 $ par personne, versés aux participants par transfert électronique après la rencontre.

Caractéristiques des groupes de discussion :

GROUPE	DATE	HEURE (HNE/HAE)	HEURE (LOCALE)	LIEU	COMPOSITION DU GROUPE	MODÉRATEUR
3	9 mars	18 h-20 (HNE)	18 h-20 h (HNE)	Région du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean	Aînés de 55 ans ou plus	M. Proulx
7	17 mars	18 h-20 h (HAE)	18 h-20 h (HAE)	Trois-Rivières	Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans	M. Proulx
12	30 mars	18 h-20 h (HAE)	18 h-20 h (HAE)	Grande région de Montréal (GRM)	Canadiens racialisés	M. Proulx

Questionnaire de recrutement

INTRODUCTION

Hello, my name is [RECRUITER NAME]. I’m calling from The Strategic Counsel, a national public opinion research firm, on behalf of the Government of Canada/Bonjour, je m’appelle [NOM DU RECRUTEUR]. Je vous téléphone du Strategic Counsel, une entreprise nationale de recherche sur l’opinion publique, pour le compte du gouvernement du Canada.

Would you prefer to continue in English or French?/Préféreriez-vous continuer en français ou en anglais?
[CONTINUER DANS LA LANGUE PRÉFÉRÉE]

NOTER LA LANGUE ET CONTINUER

Anglais REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Français CONTINUER

Nous organisons, pour le compte du gouvernement du Canada, une série de groupes de discussion vidéo en ligne afin d’explorer des questions d’actualité qui intéressent les Canadiens.

La rencontre prendra la forme d’une table ronde animée par un modérateur expérimenté. Les participants recevront un montant d’argent en remerciement de leur temps.

Votre participation est entièrement volontaire et toutes vos réponses seront confidentielles. Nous aimerions simplement connaître vos opinions : personne n’essaiera de vous vendre quoi que ce soit ou de promouvoir des produits. Notre rapport sur cette série de groupes de discussion n’attribuera aucun commentaire à une personne en particulier.

Avant de vous inviter à participer, je dois vous poser quelques questions qui nous permettront de former des groupes suffisamment diversifiés. Puis-je vous poser quelques questions?

OuiCONTINUER

NonREMERCIER ET CONCLURE

QUESTIONS DE SÉLECTION

1. Est-ce que vous ou une personne de votre ménage avez travaillé pour l’un des types d’organisations suivants au cours des cinq dernières années?

Une société d’études de marché REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Une agence de commercialisation, de marque ou de publicité REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Un magazine ou un journal REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Un ministère ou un organisme gouvernemental fédéral, provincial ou territorial REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Un parti politique REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Dans les relations publiques ou les relations avec les médias REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Dans le milieu de la radio ou de la télévision REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Non, aucune de ces réponses CONTINUER

1a. POUR TOUS LES LIEUX : Êtes-vous un ou une employé(e) retraité(e) du gouvernement du Canada ?

OuiREMERCIER ET CONCLURE

NonCONTINUER

2. Quelle langue parlez-vous le plus souvent à la maison ?

Anglais REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Français CONTINUER

Autre [Préciser ou non la langue, selon les besoins de l'étude] REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Préfère ne pas répondre REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

3. Dans quelle ville habitez-vous ?

LIEU	VILLES
Région du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean	Ces villes peuvent notamment comprendre : Alma, Dolbeau-Mistassini, Normandin, Roberval, Saguenay, Saint-Ambroise, Saint-Félicien, Saint-Honoré ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES VILLES DE LA RÉGION. PAS PLUS DE TROIS PARTICIPANTS PAR VILLE. RECRUTER DES RÉSIDENTS DE GRANDES ET DE PETITES COLLECTIVITÉS.	CONTINUER - GROUPE 3
Trois-Rivières	Trois-Rivières LES PARTICIPANTS DOIVENT RÉSIDER DANS LES DITS CENTRES.	CONTINUER - GROUPE 7
Grande région de Montréal (GRM)	Les villes de la GRM peuvent notamment comprendre : Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, Terrebonne, Brossard, Saint-Jérôme, Blainville, Mirabel, Dollard-des-Ormeaux. PAS PLUS DE DEUX PARTICIPANTS DE LA VILLE DE MONTRÉAL. ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES VILLES DANS CHAQUE LIEU.	CONTINUER - GROUPE 12
Autre lieu	-	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre	-	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

3a. Depuis combien de temps habitez-vous à [INSÉRER LE NOM DE LA VILLE]? NOTER LE NOMBRE D’ANNÉES.

Moins de deux ans	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE
Deux ans ou plus	CONTINUER
Ne sais pas/Préfère ne pas répondre	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION EN FONCTION DU NOMBRE D’ANNÉES DE RÉSIDENCE DANS LA VILLE. PAS PLUS DE DEUX PAR GROUPE DOIVENT Y VIVRE DEPUIS MOINS DE 5 ANS.

4. DEMANDER SEULEMENT POUR LE GROUPE 7 Avez-vous des enfants qui ont moins de 12 ans?

Oui CONTINUER

Non REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Je préfère ne pas répondre REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

4a. DEMANDER SEULEMENT POUR LE GROUPE 7 Pourriez-vous me dire l’âge de ces enfants?

Enfant	Âge
1
2
3
4
5

ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION EN FONCTION DE L’ÂGE ET DU NOMBRE D’ENFANTS. TOUS LES PARTICIPANTS DOIVENT AVOIR AU MOINS UN ENFANT ÂGÉ DE 5 À 11 ANS.

5. Seriez-vous prêt/prête à m’indiquer votre tranche d’âge dans la liste suivante?

25 à 29
Moins de 18 ans	SI POSSIBLE, DEMANDER À PARLER À UNE PERSONNE DE 18 ANS OU PLUS ET REFAIRE L’INTRODUCTION. SINON, REMERCIER ET CONCLURE..
18 à 24	+ RÉGION DU SAGUENAY-LAC-ST-JEAN = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE TOUS LES AUTRES LIEUX, CONTINUER ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES ÂGES DANS CHAQUE GROUPE.
30 à 39
40 à 54
40 à 54	+ RÉGION DU SAGUENAY-LAC-ST-JEAN = GROUP 3 (AÎNÉS) TOUS LES AUTRES LIEUX, CONTINUER
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Je préfère ne pas répondre	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

LES PARENTS DU GROUPE 7 POURRAIENT ÊTRE PLUS JEUNES (DANS LA TRENTAINE OU LA QUARANTAINE).

6. [NE PAS DEMANDER] Sexe NOTER SELON VOTRE OBSERVATION.

Homme

Femme

ASSURER UNE PROPORTION ÉGALE D’HOMMES ET DE FEMMES DANS CHAQUE GROUPE.
LES PARENTS DU GROUPE 7 POURRAIENT AVOIR TENDANCE À ÊTRE DES FEMMES, MAIS ESSAYER D’OBTENIR LA PARITÉ.

7. Êtes-vous un étudiant international?

Oui REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Non CONTINUER

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

8. Parmi les choix suivants, lequel décrit le mieux le secteur d’activité dans lequel vous travaillez ?

Administrations publiques

Agriculture, foresterie, pêche et chasse

Arts, spectacle et loisirs

Autres services, sauf les administrations publiques

Commerce de détail

Commerce de gros

Construction

Extraction minière, exploitation en carrière, et extraction de pétrole et de gaz

Fabrication

Finance et assurances

Gestion de sociétés et d'entreprises

Hébergement et services de restauration

Industrie de l'information et industrie culturelle

Services administratifs, services de soutien, services de gestion des déchets et services

d'assainissement

Services d'enseignement

Services immobiliers et services de location et de location à bail

Services professionnels, scientifiques et techniques

Services publics

Soins de santé et assistance sociale

Transport et entreposage

Sans emploi

Aux études à temps plein PAS D’ÉTUDIANTS ÉTRANGERS

À la retraite – DEMANDER : « DANS QUEL SECTEUR TRAVAILLIEZ-VOUS AVANT? » ET NOTER LA RÉPONSE

Autre situation ou autre secteur ; veuillez préciser : ______________

CONTINUER POUR TOUS LES RÉPONDANTS. ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES TYPES D’EMPLOI DANS CHAQUE GROUPE. PAS PLUS DE DEUX RÉPONDANTS PAR SECTEUR D’ACTIVITÉ.
LES AÎNÉS DU GROUPE 3 POURRAIENT ÊTRE PLUS SOUVENT RETRAITÉS.

9. Est-ce que vous connaissez le concept du « groupe de discussion »?

OuiCONTINUER

NonEXPLIQUER QUE : « un groupe de discussion se compose de six à huit participants et d’un modérateur. Au cours d’une période de deux heures, les participants sont invités à discuter d’un éventail de questions reliées au sujet abordé ».

10. Dans le cadre du groupe de discussion, on vous demandera de participer activement à une conversation. En pensant à la manière dont vous interagissez lors de discussions en groupe, quelle note vous donneriez-vous sur une échelle de 1 à 5 si 1 signifie « j’ai tendance à ne pas intervenir et à écouter les autres parler » et 5, « je suis habituellement une des premières personnes à parler » ?

1-2REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

3-5CONTINUER

11. Étant donné que ce groupe se réunira en ligne, vous aurez besoin, pour participer, d’un accès Internet haut débit et d’un ordinateur muni d’une caméra Web, d’un microphone et d’un haut-parleur en bon état de marche. CONFIRMER LES POINTS CI-DESSOUS. METTRE FIN À L’APPEL SI NON À L’UN DES TROIS.

Le participant a accès à Internet haut débit

Le participant a un ordinateur avec caméra Web

12. Avez-vous utilisé des logiciels de réunion en ligne tels que Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts/Meet, etc., au cours des deux dernières années ?

OuiCONTINUER

NonCONTINUER

13. Sur une échelle de 1 à 5 où 1 signifie que vous n’êtes pas du tout habile et 5 que vous êtes très habile, comment évaluez-vous votre capacité à utiliser seul(e) les plateformes de réunion en ligne ?

1-2REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

3-5CONTINUER

14. Au cours de la discussion, vous pourriez devoir lire ou visionner du matériel affiché à l’écran, ou faire des exercices en ligne comme ceux qu’on trouve dans les sondages. On vous demandera aussi de participer activement à la discussion en ligne à l’aide d’une caméra Web. Pensez-vous avoir de la difficulté, pour une raison ou une autre, à lire les documents ou à participer à la discussion par vidéo?
CONCLURE L’ENTRETIEN SI LE RÉPONDANT SIGNALE UN PROBLÈME DE VISION OU D’AUDITION, UN PROBLÈME DE LANGUE PARLÉE OU ÉCRITE, S’IL CRAINT DE NE POUVOIR COMMUNIQUER EFFICACEMENT, SI L’UTILISATION D’UNE CAMÉRA WEB LUI POSE PROBLÈME, OU SI VOUS, EN TANT QU’INTERVIEWEUR, AVEZ DES DOUTES QUANT À SA CAPACITÉ DE PARTICIPER EFFICACEMENT AUX DISCUSSIONS.

15. Avez-vous déjà participé à un groupe de discussion, à une entrevue ou à un sondage organisé à l’avance en contrepartie d’une somme d’argent?

Oui CONTINUER

Non PASSER À LA Q.19

16. À quand remonte le dernier groupe de discussion auquel vous avez participé ?

À moins de six mois,REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

À plus de six mois, CONTINUER

17. À combien de groupes de discussion avez-vous participé au cours des cinq dernières années?

0 à 4 groupes, CONTINUER

5 groupes ou plus REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

18. Quel était leur sujet, et vous rappelez-vous pour qui ou pour quelle organisation ces groupes étaient organisés?

TERMINER SI LE SUJET EST SEMBLABLE OU IDENTIQUE, OU SI L’ORGANISATION NOMMÉE EST LE GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA

CRITÈRES DE RECRUTEMENT SUPPLÉMENTAIRES

Il me reste quelques dernières questions avant de vous donner les détails du groupe de discussion, comme l’heure et la date.

19. Lequel ou lesquels des groupes raciaux ou culturels suivants vous décrivent le mieux? (plusieurs choix possibles)

Blanc + GRANDE RÉGION DE MONTRÉAL = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Sud-asiatique (p. ex., indien, pakistanais, sri-lankais)

Chinois

Noir

Latino-américain

Philippin

Arabe

Asiatique du sud-est (p. ex., vietnamien, cambodgien, thailandais)

Coréen ou japonais

Autochtone

Autre groupe racial ou culturel (préciser)

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE : Préfère ne pas répondre

ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE.
LES CANADIENS RACIALISÉS DU GROUPE 12 NE SERONT PAS BLANCS.

20. Quel est le niveau de scolarité le plus élevé que vous avez atteint ?

École primaire

Études secondaires partielles

Diplôme d’études secondaires ou l’équivalent

Certificat ou diplôme d’apprenti inscrit ou d’une école de métiers

Certificat ou diplôme d’un collège, cégep ou autre établissement non universitaire

Certificat ou diplôme universitaire inférieur au baccalauréat

Baccalauréat

Diplôme d’études supérieur au baccalauréat

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE : Préfère ne pas répondre

ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE.

21. Laquelle des catégories suivantes décrit le mieux le revenu annuel total de votre ménage en 2020— c’est-à-dire le revenu cumulatif de l’ensemble des membres de votre ménage avant impôt?

Moins de 20 000 $

20 000 $ à moins de 40 000 $

40 000 $ à moins de 60 000 $

60 000 $ à moins de 80 000 $

80 000 $ à moins de 100 000 $

100 000 $ à moins de 150 000 $

150 000 $ ou plus

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE : Préfère ne pas répondre

ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE.

22. La discussion sera enregistrée sur bandes audio et vidéo, strictement aux fins de la recherche. Les enregistrements aideront nos chercheurs à rédiger leur rapport. Est-ce que vous consentez à ce qu’on vous enregistre sur bandes audio et vidéo?

Oui

Non REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

INVITATION

J’aimerais vous inviter à ce groupe de discussion en ligne, qui aura lieu le [DONNER LA DATE ET L’HEURE EN FONCTION DU N^O DE GROUPE INDIQUÉ DANS LE TABLEAU, PAGE 1]. La discussion durera deux heures et vous recevrez 125 $ pour votre participation. Ce montant vous sera envoyé par transfert électronique après la tenue du groupe de discussion.

Veuillez noter que des observateurs du gouvernement du Canada pourraient être présents au groupe et que la discussion sera enregistrée sur bande vidéo. En acceptant de participer, vous donnez votre consentement à ces modalités.

Est-ce que vous accepteriez de participer ?

OuiCONTINUER

NonREMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Puis-je avoir votre nom complet, le numéro de téléphone où vous êtes le plus facile à joindre et votre adresse électronique, si vous en avez une, pour vous envoyer les détails au sujet du groupe?

Nom :

Numéro de téléphone :

Adresse courriel :

Vous recevrez un courrier électronique du Strategic Counsel expliquant comment rejoindre le groupe en ligne. Si la connexion au système vous pose des difficultés, veuillez en aviser notre équipe de soutien technique à : support@thestrategiccounsel.com.

Nous vous prions de vous mettre en ligne au moins 15 minutes avant l’heure prévue, afin d’avoir le temps de vous installer et d’obtenir l’aide de notre équipe de soutien en cas de problèmes techniques. Veuillez également redémarrer votre ordinateur avant de vous joindre au groupe.

Vous pourriez devoir lire des documents au cours de la discussion. Si vous utilisez des lunettes, assurez-vous de les avoir à portée de main durant la rencontre. Vous aurez également besoin d’un stylo et de papier pour prendre des notes.

Ce rendez-vous est un engagement ferme. Si vous pensez ne pas pouvoir participer pour des raisons personnelles ou professionnelles, veuillez m’en aviser dès maintenant et nous conserverons votre nom pour une étude ultérieure. Enfin, si jamais vous n’êtes pas en mesure de participer, veuillez nous prévenir le plus rapidement possible au [1-800-xxx-xxxx] pour que nous puissions trouver quelqu’un pour vous remplacer.

Merci de votre temps.

RECRUTEMENT FAIT PAR : ____________________

DATE DU RECRUTEMENT : __________________

Appendix B – Discussion Guides

English Moderators Guide

MODERATOR’S GUIDE – March 2022

MASTER

INTRODUCTION (10 minutes) All Locations

Moderator or technician should let participants know that they will need pen and paper in order to take some notes, jot down some thoughts around some material that we will show them later in the discussion.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA IN THE NEWS (5-30 minutes) All Locations

What have you seen, read or heard about the Government of Canada in the last few days?
Ottawa, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians What’s the most recent information, if any, you’ve heard about the situation in Ukraine?
- Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious To the best of your knowledge, what has the Government of Canada done in response to the crisis in Ukraine?
  - Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia What have you heard, seen or read recently about Ukrainian refugees?
  - Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious What have you heard, seen or read recently about Ukrainians fleeing their country?
- Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious What is Ukraine requesting Canada to do? Have you heard about any requests from the government of Ukraine?
  - What are your thoughts on these requests?
- Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious Do you feel personally impacted by this crisis? If yes, in what ways?
- Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious In your opinion, what are some of the long-term impacts of this crisis? What do you expect to see happen?
- Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious Is there more the federal government should do in response to the crisis?
Northern British Columbia What have you seen, read or heard about recent developments related to the Coastal Gaslink Project?

Northern British Columbia CLARIFY AS NECESSARY: Coastal GasLink will deliver natural gas from the Dawson Creek area to a facility near Kitimat, where it will then be converted to a liquefied state – also known as liquefied natural gas (LNG), and then exported to global markets.

Northern British Columbia PROMPT AS NEEDED: Have you heard about activists advocating banks like RBC stop investing in the project?
- What is the federal government’s role, if any, in all this?
Northern British Columbia What would you like to see happen with respect to this project?
Northern British Columbia Has anyone heard about Prince Rupert Port seeking to double capacity with a second container terminal?

Northern British Columbia CLARIFY AS NECESSARY/SHOW ON SCREEN
According to the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA), potentially adding a new container terminal to the Prince Rupert port will significantly increase trade capacity with Asia-pacific markets.

Under a new agreement between PRPA and DP World (a multinational logistics company whose specialties include cargo logistics and port terminal operations), the two partners will engage in numerous studies on the proposed site. These studies will focus on minimizing environmental and community impact, improving the resilience of Canadian supply chains, and ensuring the project’s full integration into the Port’s intermodal ecosystem.

Northern British Columbia What do you think about this?
- What impact do you think a second container terminal would have?
- Is this something you’d like to see the federal government supporting?
Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians PROMPT AS NEEDED: Have you about the Government of Canada’s recent announcement of its Emissions Reduction Plan?
- IF YES: What have you heard? What do you think about this?

CONVOY/EMERGENCIES ACT (40-55 minutes) Ottawa, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12

What comes to mind when you think of the trucker convoy? What are your thoughts on these protests?
- Were you personally affected by the protests in Ottawa? How so?
- Other than personal impacts, how do you think the convoy impacts the greater Ottawa community?
- Did you change/have you changed your views on the protests since they first began?
  - IF YES: At what point and what made you change your mind about them?
Ottawa As I’m sure you’re aware, there are a lot of protests in Ottawa. Was this one different? What makes you say that?
Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12 Were these protests like any other protests that you have seen? How so?
Overall, how would you describe what happened?
- What caused it to happen in the first place?
- And what happened while they were in [Ottawa/in your area]?
  - Ottawa Did the behaviour of those participating change over time, or was their behaviour generally consistent throughout?
    - Ottawa IF IT CHANGED: In what ways did their behaviour change?
- What caused them to eventually leave?
What does the future hold for the trucker convoy protest?
- Does anyone think they could come back?
  - IF YES: What do you expect that would look like?
Who do you think [is/was] primarily responsible for dealing with this protest? What makes you say that?
- NOTE TO MODERATOR: IF THEY SAY GOVERNMENT, CLARIFY WHICH LEVEL. IF THEY SAY POLICE, CLARIFY WHICH POLICE FORCE(S).
Ottawa How did the Ottawa municipal government and the Ottawa Police Service each handle the situation?
- Do you think they each did everything they could? What makes you say that?
- What if anything, did they each do well?
- What, if anything, could they each have done better?
- Do you think the Ottawa Police Service could have resolved the situation if the Government of Canada had not invoked the Emergencies Act? What makes you say that?
Now let’s focus on the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). How do you think they did/performed?
- Ottawa What if anything, did they each do well?
- Ottawa What, if anything, could they each have done better?
- Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12 Do you think the OPP and your local police could have resolved the situation if the Government of Canada had not invoked the Emergencies Act? What makes you say that?
And now thinking about how the Government of Canada responded, how do you think they did/performed?
- Ottawa What if anything, did they each do well?
- Ottawa What, if anything, could they have done better?
Ottawa Do you think the Government of Canada took action too quickly, too slowly, or was their reaction about right?
Do you think the federal government should have invoked the Emergencies Act, or not? What makes you say that?
To the best of your knowledge, did anything change in the response to the protests after the Emergencies Act was implemented?
- IF YES: How so?
Ottawa Just to refresh your memory a bit, the Government of Canada revoked the use of the Emergencies Act on February 23, a few days after police cleared demonstrators and vehicles from downtown Ottawa. What do you think about the Government of Canada revoking the Act?
Ottawa Do you feel like there’s still a risk of participants returning to downtown Ottawa and resuming activities, or do you feel like this situation is generally resolved now?
Is there anything the federal government should have done differently to address the convoy situation?
Do you think there will be any long-term impacts on the city of Ottawa as a result of the convoy?
Ottawa What can be improved so that the City of Ottawa is better prepared in the event of similar types of events occurring in the future?

LOCAL ISSUES (20-50 minutes) Ottawa, Newfoundland, Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious

Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 Thinking about Trois-Rivières, what are some of the biggest issues and concerns? [PROMPT AS NECESSARY: What about the pyrrhotite issue?]
- FOR EACH: Why is it important? What needs to be done? PROBE TO SEE IF OTHERS FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT.
Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 What about labour shortages? Are labour shortages a big issue in your community? If yes, why is it important? What’s causing them?
- Is this a new problem?
- Has the federal government done anything to impact labour shortages? What could help address labour shortages?
Calgary Young Adults Thinking about Calgary, what are some of the biggest issues and concerns?
- FOR EACH: Why is it important? What needs to be done? PROBE TO SEE IF OTHERS FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT
- IF NOT MENTIONED: What about housing? Is this an important issue? What are the biggest challenges in housing in your area? What would you like to see happen? What has the federal government done for housing?
- IF NOT MENTIONED: What about opioid addiction? How big of a problem is opioid addiction in Calgary?
  - What are some of the causes of opioid addiction?
  - Who or what is most responsible for the current opioid problem? (e.g., drug companies making unsafe products, doctors not prescribing properly, people making poor decisions, or something else?)
  - What would you like to see the federal government do to help address the problem of opioid addiction?
Northern British Columbia Thinking about Northern BC, what are some of the biggest issues and concerns?
- FOR EACH: Why is it important? What needs to be done? PROBE TO SEE IF OTHERS FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT
- IF NOT MENTIONED: What are the biggest concerns with housing? What are the biggest challenges with housing in your area? What would you like to see happen? What has the federal government done for housing?
  - Is homelessness a big problem in northern BC? What are the main causes? What role does the federal government have in addressing homelessness?
- IF NOT MENTIONED: What about opioid addiction? How big of a problem is opioid addiction in Northern BC?
  - What are some of the causes of opioid addiction?
  - Who or what is most responsible for the current opioid problem? (e.g., drug companies making unsafe products, doctors not prescribing properly, mental illness, or something else?)
  - What would you like to see the federal government do to help address the problem of opioid addiction?
Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious Thinking about the Halton/Peel region, what are some of the biggest issues and concerns?
- FOR EACH: Why is it important? What needs to be done? PROBE TO SEE IF OTHERS FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT

Ottawa, Newfoundland, Rural Manitoba Now I’d like to focus on your local community.

What are the most important sectors and industries [for your local community/in the Yukon]?
Which local sectors and industries do you feel need the most help? Why do these sectors and industries need federal support?
- Ottawa, Newfoundland, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious NOTE TO MODERATOR: For two or three major sectors named, probe if the Government of Canada has done anything to support this sector? What else can the Government of Canada do to support these sectors?
- Yukon Why?
- Yukon IF NOT MENTIONED: What about the tourism industry?
- Yukon What are the most important local issues in Yukon?
  - FOR EACH: Why is it important? What needs to be done? PROBE TO SEE IF OTHERS FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT
Ottawa What are the most important infrastructure projects in Ottawa that you think the Government of Canada should support?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: Are you aware of any involvement by the Government of Canada in light rail transit (LRT) here?
  - IF YES: What has the Government of Canada done?

Newfoundland PROBE SPECIFICALLY ON FISHERIES.

IF NOT YET MENTIONED: What about the fishing industry, how important is this industry in Newfoundland?
Newfoundland Compared to the other top industries mentioned, does the fishing industry generally have a larger or smaller impact on your community? Why do you say that?
Newfoundland Is anyone here personally impacted by or involved in the fishing industry? How so?
Newfoundland What are the biggest issues with the fishing industry today?
Newfoundland What role does the federal government have, if any, in the fishing industry in Newfoundland?
Newfoundland How well has the federal government performed this role? What has the government done, if anything, to support this sector? Do you think the government of Canada understands Newfoundland fisheries issues?
Newfoundland How familiar is everyone with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, also known as DFO?

Newfoundland CLARIFY AS NECESSARY: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is the federal institution responsible for safeguarding our waters and managing Canada's fisheries and oceans resources. They help to ensure healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and sound science. They support economic growth in the marine and fisheries sectors, and innovation in areas such as aquaculture and biotechnology.

- What do you know about the DFO? Have you ever heard of any work they’ve done?

Newfoundland PROBE SPECIFICALLY ON OIL AND GAS.

IF NOT YET MENTIONED: And what about oil and gas, how important is this industry in Newfoundland?
Newfoundland Compared to the other top industries mentioned, does the oil and gas industry generally have a larger or smaller impact on your community? Why do you say that?
Newfoundland Is anyone here personally impacted by or involved in the oil and gas industry? How so?
Newfoundland What do you think are the biggest issues with the oil and gas industry today? What impacts do these issues have on you?
Newfoundland What is the federal government’s role in the oil and gas industry? What has the federal government done that has impacted the oil and gas sector? How do you feel about this?
Newfoundland Do you think the government of Canada understands the oil and gas sector in Newfoundland? Why do you say that?
Newfoundland Has anyone heard of any oil and gas projects in Newfoundland? If yes, which one(s)? What’re your thoughts on this project?

Newfoundland PROBE SPECIFICALLY ON BAY DU NORD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

Has anyone heard anything about the proposed Bay du Nord Development project? What have you heard?

Newfoundland CLARIFY AS NECESSARY: Equinor is proposing to install and operate a floating offshore oil and gas production facility in the Flemish Pass, approximately 500 kilometres east of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in the Atlantic Ocean. As proposed, the Bay du Nord Development Project would be in operation for approximately 30 years, with the potential for additional wells and tie-backs to the production facility.

Newfoundland Do you know what the federal government’s position is on the project? What is it?
Newfoundland What might be some benefits of the project if it goes ahead?
Newfoundland What might be some of the downsides?
Newfoundland The project is currently going through an Environmental Assessment to determine if the project will be approved to move forward. How do you think the federal government should approach the situation if the assessment suggests the project would pose significant risks to the local environment?
Yukon Thinking specifically about labour shortages, is this an important issue? Why/why not? What impacts do labour shortages have, if any, in Yukon?
- If it is a problem, what are the causes? What needs to be done?
- What has the federal government done to address this issue?
Yukon Thinking specifically about opioid addiction, how big of an issue is this in Yukon? What about in your community specifically?
- What are some of the causes of opioid addiction? Who is most likely to be impacted by opioids?
- What needs to be done? What are the solutions to help?
- Has the federal government done anything to address this issue?
Yukon Thinking specifically about the fishing industry, has anyone heard any news about salmon in the Yukon River?
- PROMPT ON SALMON SHORTAGE: In Yukon, river systems that usually see dependably high volumes of chum salmon experienced significant declines in both 2020 and 2021 (around 20% of the normal numbers of fish returned).
  - How familiar are you with this issue?
  - How big of an issue is this? What are you most concerned about, if anything?
  - What could be causing this?
  - Is this a new problem? Or, has this been getting worse over time?
  - Have you felt any of the impacts? Has it had any impacts on your lifestyle or diets?
  - What impacts has this had on Yukon? Who is most likely to be impacted by this?
  - What should be done? Are there local solutions to help address this shortage?
  - What would you like to see the federal government do to help?
Yukon And what does Yukon need in terms of infrastructure?
- What are the biggest concerns/challenges? Is there anything that needs to be done?
- Are you aware of any investments the federal government has made in infrastructure in Yukon in recent years?
Yukon Thinking about everything the federal government has done in the past year, what, if anything, do you think will have the most positive impact in Yukon?
Yukon Have they done anything that you think will have a negative impact?
Rural Manitoba Now, thinking about rural Manitoba overall, what are some of the biggest issues and concerns?
- FOR EACH: Why is it important? What needs to be done? PROBE TO SEE IF OTHERS FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT.
Rural Manitoba What about broadband? Is accessing reliable high-speed Internet an important issue in Manitoba or in your local community? Why/why not?
- Have you heard anything about the federal government investing in infrastructure or projects to help increase broadband services?
Rural Manitoba PROMPT AS NECESSARY: Has anyone heard about the Government of Canada’s plan to invest $41 million to bring improved Internet speeds to 93 communities in rural Manitoba? Does this sound familiar?
- Is this something that will benefit your community? Why/why not?
- What else would you like to see the government do?
Rural Manitoba And what does rural Manitoba need in terms of infrastructure? What are the most important infrastructure projects in or near your community that you think the Government of Canada should support?
- What are the biggest concerns/challenges?
- Are you aware of any investments the federal government has made in infrastructure in Manitoba in recent years?
Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious And what does [Trois-Rivières/Calgary/Northern BC/the Halton/Peel Region] need in terms of infrastructure? What are the most important infrastructure projects in or near your community that you think the Government of Canada should support?
- Are you aware of any investments the federal government has made in infrastructure in [Trois-Rivières/Calgary/Northern BC/ the Halton/Peel Region] in recent years?
  - Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 PROMPT AS NECESSARY: What about the High Frequency Rail?

NET-ZERO OIL (15-20 minutes) Ottawa, Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12

Do you feel that the world is currently experiencing a climate emergency, or not? What makes you say that?
Have you ever heard of the term “net-zero oil”? What do you think this means?

CLARIFY AS NECESSARY:
Net-zero oil refers to oil extraction projects that completely negate any greenhouse gas emissions experienced in the extraction process, through reducing emissions and/or implementing methods to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to offset any remaining emissions.

Do you think it is realistically possible for the oil industry to move towards more net-zero oil projects in the future, assuming they want to?
- Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors Why do you say that?
If oil companies were able to reach net-zero emissions, do you think that would make a significant difference in helping Canada reach its emissions targets in the future, or not? What makes you say that?
Recently, gasoline prices in Canada have been very high, partially in response to conflict in Eastern Europe risking international oil markets. Do these recent developments change how you think Canada should manage its own oil production?

COVID-19 OUTLOOK (10-45 minutes) Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians

Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 When it comes to how the Government of Canada has performed throughout the pandemic, what are some things you think they have been doing well?
- What makes you say that?
- What could they be doing better?
Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 Do you think that the Government of Canada is doing as good a job now as they did at the start of the pandemic, or are they doing better or worse?
- Please explain.
Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 POLL: Please type in one word that describes how you feel about the current restrictions in place in your region? [PROMPT AS NECESSARY: Why did you choose that word?]
- Should they be lifted? Should more things be opened up?
- Should they be more restricted?
Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 Do you think that the spread of COVID-19 is going to get worse in the near term or is the worst behind us?
Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 And thinking ahead to a year from now, do you think we’ll no longer be in a pandemic, or do you think COVID-19 will still be an issue?
- Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 IF STILL AN ISSUE: Assuming COVID-19 is still an issue a year from now, what do you think daily life will be like? For example, mostly back to normal? Restrictions implemented whenever case counts climb? Something else?
Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 Have any of you gotten a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine? (SHOW OF HANDS)
- FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT: Have you made an appointment to get a third dose? (SHOW OF HANDS)

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN THIRD DOSE OR MADE AN APPOINTMENT:

Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 What made you decide to get a third dose?

FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T GOTTEN THIRD DOSE OR MADE AN APPOINTMENT:

Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 Are there questions about COVID-19 vaccines in general or about the third dose specifically that you would like answers to?
Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 What other information do you need to help you decide about getting a third dose?
Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12 In 2020 public health measures such as handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing were introduced to help control the spread of COVID-19. What kind of impact do you think these public health measures have had?
Rural Manitoba Generally, how do you feel about vaccine mandates? Are they generally helpful or harmful tools?
- Which activities, if any, should require proof of vaccination? (IF NEEDED: Should it be required for things like travel or attending a public event?)
  - Why do you feel this way?
- Are there any activities that should not have a vaccine requirement? Which? Why?
- Has your opinion on vaccine mandates ever changed? If yes, what changed your mind?
Rural Manitoba Have you heard anything about the protests against vaccine mandates that took place in various parts of the country in February 2022? (CLARIFY AS NECESSARY: The trucker convoy).
- What have you heard?
- What are your thoughts on these protests?
- Did your opinion on the convoy ever change in any way? If yes, what caused your opinions to change?
- What impacts did these protests have?
- Do you think the protests could start again?
- Have you heard anything about how the Government of Canada has responded?
  - IF NOT MENTIONED: Did you hear about the Government of Canada invoking the Emergencies Act? What did you hear? How do you feel about this measure being used?
- How do you think the Government of Canada should have responded?
Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians How worried are you about the spread of COVID?
Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians Do you feel like things are back to “normal”?
- Are you behaving differently when around others compared to before the pandemic? How so?
Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians Does whether or not someone else is vaccinated affect how you interact with them or how comfortable you are around them?
- How about if someone is only partially vaccinated with no booster shot?

HOUSING (15 minutes) Newfoundland

Now I’d like to shift away from COVID-19 and talk about some issues in Newfoundland…

What is the housing market like in Newfoundland?
- What are the biggest challenges in housing in this province? (e.g., affordability, quality, supply?)
How easy or difficult would you say it is to find affordable housing in your region?
Are you aware of anything the Government of Canada has done to help with the housing situation in Newfoundland?
- What has the Government of Canada done?
What would you like to see the federal government do to help improve housing in your area?
The federal government is introducing a tax on foreign-owned homes that sit empty for most of the year. What impact would a measure like that have in Newfoundland?

SENIORS ISSUES (30 minutes) Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors

Now I’d like to focus on another topic.

What is the most important issue for you personally that you think the Government of Canada should be focusing on the most? What makes you say that?
And what’s the most important issue facing seniors more broadly right now that the Government of Canada should be paying more attention to? What makes you say that?
Have you heard anything the Government of Canada has done recently to support seniors?
Would you say the government is generally on the right track with seniors? Why/why not? What would put them on the right track?
Where do you normally hear about news first?
- And now thinking about Government of Canada information in general, including policies it implements or measures it implements: do you actively seek out this kind of information?
  - IF YES: Where do you seek it out?
Overall, do you feel that the Government of Canada makes an effort to reach out to seniors? Do you feel they prioritize seniors when making decisions? Why or why not?
- What could the Government of Canada do to more effectively connect with seniors?
Have you heard anything recently about the federal government changes to the guaranteed income supplement? What have you heard?
Do you expect any changes to it in the future?
Should the federal government prioritize increasing the GIS as a way to help seniors as the economy recovers?

FIREARMS (10 minutes) Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians

Has anyone heard anything the federal government has done recently related to firearm ownership in Canada?
Have you heard about the Government of Canada’s plan to ban assault-style rifles and buy back any of these weapons that are already owned by Canadians?
- Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians In general, do you support or oppose this ban on assault-style firearms?
- Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians Do you feel it should be mandatory for these guns to be turned in if they were owned prior to the ban being implemented?
Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors What are your thoughts on the ban? Why do you say that?
Is there anything else the federal government should be doing in relation to firearms ownership in Canada?

CHILD CARE (20 minutes) Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12

I’d now like to talk about child care…

What is the biggest challenge with child care in Ontario?
Do any of you have kids in child care? (SHOW OF HANDS)
- How much does it cost you?
- How easy or difficult was it to find and secure a spot?
Have you seen, read or heard anything about the Government of Canada and child care?
- PROMPT AS NECESSARY: Have you heard about any agreements between the Government of Canada and individual provinces and territories?
- Have you heard anything about negotiations around childcare between Ontario and the Government of Canada?

CLARIFY AS NEEDED: The Government of Canada has recently negotiated with provinces and territories to set up $10/day childcare systems across the country. Ontario is now the only province without an agreement in place.

To the best of your knowledge, why hasn’t a deal been reached in Ontario so far?
How do you feel about no agreement being in place between the federal government and Ontario?
Other than reaching $10/day childcare costs in Ontario, are there other childcare priorities governments should be addressing?

RABIES (15 minutes) Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12

Moving on to our final topic, I’d like to ask you some questions about any pets you may have.

Specifically, we are looking for individuals who have dogs. (SHOW OF HANDS)

How long have you had your dog? Where did you get your dog? (PROBE: Breeder, dog rescue organization, other)

FOR THOSE WHO SAY “RESCUE”:

Do you recall the name of the organization?
How did you select the rescue organization? What questions or research did you do on the organization before adopting?

IF RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT MENTIONED: As you may know, there are pet rescue organizations that are dedicated to taking unwanted, abandoned, abused or stray pets to try to find suitable homes for them.

Would you think that a dog rescue organization operates as a charity or not-for-profit organization, or do you think some pet rescue organizations might be for-profit corporations? (SHOW OF HANDS)

I would now like to talk about a serious disease that affects dogs – Rabies. For your information:

SHOW ON SCREEN
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals (dogs, cats, foxes etc.), including humans. The rabies virus is particularly present in the saliva and brain of infected animals, most commonly dogs, and is transmitted by a bite.

In Canada, rabies is found in wildlife such skunks, foxes, raccoons, and bats, however Canada does not have Canine rabies, which is rabies in dogs.

How concerned are you about canine rabies getting into Canada? Would you be concerned about the risk to you or your family if a case of canine rabies was found in Canada?
Specifically thinking about dogs coming into Canada from other countries, whose responsibility do you think it is to ensure dogs are rabies-free?

SHOW ON SCREEN
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) carries out programs related to animal health and production to guard against the entry of foreign animal diseases and to prevent the spread of certain domestic animal diseases. However, the importer of animals is responsible for ensuring the proper tests and paperwork have been submitted before bringing the animal into Canada.

Globally, rabies remains a very dangerous disease and it kills more than 50,000 people a year, 40% of those are in children. It is prevalent in many other countries and dogs from those countries represent a risk to animal and human health. Over a hundred countries have endemic canine-variant rabies.

Some countries such as the United States have banned the import of dogs from countries where rabies is not controlled.
What would you think if the Government of Canada implemented a similar policy to better protect human health and the health of the dogs already in Canada?
What if the requirements reduced the number of dogs available for import into Canada?
Would you support or oppose this policy? Please expand on your answer.

BUDGET 2022 (10-15 minutes) Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious

I’d like to talk to you about the next federal budget…

What do you expect the next federal budget will focus on?
What do you think the next federal budget should focus on?

Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults Thinking back to previous years, do you remember anything that the federal government announced in past budgets? (ONLY IF SILENT: Any investments, themes, priorities, anything from any past budgets that you can remember?)

NORTHERN HOUSING (20 minutes) Yukon

What is the housing situation like in Yukon?
- What are the biggest challenges in housing? (PROMPT AS NECESSARY: affordability, quality, supply)
Have there been any changes in the housing situation over the past several years?
Who is responsible for housing? (e.g., municipal, territorial, federal)
Are you aware of anything the Government of Canada has done to help with the housing situation in Yukon? What has the Government of Canada done?
What would you like to see the Government of Canada do to help housing?

ENVIRONMENT (20 minutes) Yukon

Do you feel that the world is currently experiencing a climate emergency, or not? What makes you say that?
How has Yukon been impacted by climate change, if at all?
What are your main concerns about the environment and climate change?
- How concerned are you about natural disasters in Yukon (like floods or fires)? Which are you most concerned with (floods, fires, or other)?
- Have you personally done anything to try and prepare for natural disasters? If yes, what have you done?
- Has your territorial or local government done anything to help prepare?
- Has the federal government done anything to help prepare for natural disasters? What would you like to see, or what support do you think is needed?

COVID-19 VACCINE FOR CHILDREN (15 minutes) Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12

Now I’d like to focus on COVID-19 vaccination…

As you may be aware, Health Canada has approved vaccines made for children 5 to 11 years old.

Have any of you talked to your kids about it?
Have any of you gotten your kids under 12 vaccinated? (SHOW OF HANDS)
- FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT: Have you made an appointment to get your kids vaccinated? (SHOW OF HANDS)

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN KIDS VACCINATED OR MADE AN APPOINTMENT:

What made you decide to get your kids vaccinated?

FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T GOTTEN KIDS VACCINATED OR MADE AN APPOINTMENT:

What are the factors that will influence your decision on whether or not to get your kids vaccinated?
Are there questions about administering COVID-19 vaccines to kids that you would like answers to?

UKRAINIANS (15 minutes) Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians

Do you think Canada is currently ready to accommodate an influx of Ukrainians who have fled their country? Why or why not? What about in your community?
Do you have any concerns about welcoming Ukrainians?
- IF NOT MENTIONED: What about with housing?
What, if anything, do you think would need to happen in order for Canada to accommodate Ukrainians? What would success look like? What do you think we would need to consider and plan for? What about in your community?
Do you consider your community a welcoming place? Why or why not?
The Government of Canada has announced the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel. Have any of you heard of this?

CLARIFY AS NECESSARY/SHOW ON SCREEN
The Government of Canada created the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) to help Ukrainians and their family members come to Canada as quickly as possible and to provide them with the ability to work and study while in Canada.

For Ukrainian nationals outside Canada, the CUAET gives them a visitor visa to come to Canada temporarily, until it is safe to return to Ukraine. This visitor visa also gives them the option to apply for a work permit at the same time or to be given status as a student if they are under 18 and want to study in Canada. They can stay in Canada for up to 3 years at a time or until their passport expires. When their status in Canada is about to expire, they will need to apply to extend their stay.

Do you support or oppose this plan? Why is that?
- How do you think this will impact Canada? Your community?
What supports do you think are important to help Ukrainians after they arrive?
Would you be interested in volunteering to support incoming Ukrainians? If yes, in which ways?

YOUTH ISSUES (25 minutes) Calgary Young Adults

Have you heard anything the Government of Canada has done recently to support young Canadians?
- PROMPT AS NECESSARY: How about things the Government has done to help young Canadians financially during COVID?
Where do you normally hear about news first?
- What about news related to COVID-19 – what are your main sources of information?
  - In terms of COVID-19, do you actively seek out new information about it?
- And now thinking about Government of Canada information in general (not just related to COVID-19), including policies or measures it implements: do you actively seek out this kind of information?
  - IF YES: Where do you seek it out?
Have you seen any advertising from the Government of Canada recently?
- IF YES: What was the topic of the advertisement? Where did you see it?
Overall, do you feel that the Government of Canada makes an effort to reach out to young Canadians? Do you feel they prioritize youth when making decisions? Why or why not?
- What could the Government of Canada do to more effectively reach out to young Canadians?
What is the most important issue for you that you think the Government of Canada should be focusing on the most? What makes you say that?
And what’s the most important issue facing young people more broadly right now that the Government of Canada should be paying more attention to? What makes you say that?

RECONCILIATION (10 minutes) Northern British Columbia

What comes to mind when you hear the word “reconciliation”?
- How important is reconciliation with Indigenous peoples?
Have you heard anything the Government of Canada has done to address reconciliation?
- What has the federal government done well on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples?
- What are a few areas the federal government could improve on?
Thinking back over the past decade, do you feel like the Government of Canada has moved in the right direction on reconciliation, or not?
What kind of actions would you expect from a government that is serious about addressing reconciliation?

HOME RENTING (30 MINUTES) Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious

Now I’d like to focus on housing…

Do you currently rent the place you are living in?
In general, how easy or difficult would you say it is to find affordable rental accommodations in your region? What makes you say that?
Here are some things the Government of Canada could do to help make housing more affordable:

SHOW ON SCREEN

- Affordable Housing Innovation Fund: Funding for unique ideas and innovative building techniques that revolutionize the affordable housing sector.
- Federal Lands Initiative: Use of surplus federal lands and buildings to create affordable, sustainable, accessible and socially inclusive developments.
- First-Time Home Buyer Incentive: A program that allows one to borrow 5 or 10% of the purchase price of a home to put toward a down payment. The program recipient pays back the same percentage of the value of the home when selling it or within a 25-year window.
- Housing Accelerator Fund: Funding available to municipalities to increase the housing supply in Canada’s largest cities through measures such as inclusionary zoning, increased densification, reductions in construction approval timelines and the rapid development of vacant or underused lands.
- National Housing Co-Investment Fund – New Construction Stream: Low-cost repayable loans and forgivable loans for building new affordable housing shelters, transitional and supportive housing.
- Rental Construction Financing: Low-cost loans encouraging the construction of sustainable rental apartment projects across Canada.

POLL: Now I’d like you to select any that you think stand out as being a really good initiative. Again, you can select all of them, none of them, or anywhere in between.
- Affordable Housing Innovation Fund
- Federal Lands Initiative
- First-Time Home Buyer Incentive
- Housing Accelerator Fund
- National Housing Co-Investment Fund – New Construction Stream
- Rental Construction Financing

MODERATOR TO GO THROUGH SELECTIONS

Is there anything that stands out as either confusing or a cause for concern? What makes you say that?

I’d like to focus on the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, but I want to get your thoughts on a variation of this:

What if there were a First-Time Home Buyer Incentive specifically for young, single Canadians to help them buy their first homes?
- What do you think of that approach? Do you think it would be helpful? What makes you say that?
- What would you expect to see in such an incentive?

NEWS SOURCES (5 minutes) Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users

What are your primary sources for news? (TV news, radio, social media, friends/family)
- IF NOT MENTIONED: How many use social media to get news?
  - Which platforms do you typically use?
Are there any social media platforms that are more or less reliable for news? If yes, which ones?

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PRIORITIES AND PERFORMANCE (15 minutes) Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians

In your opinion, what are the top issues the federal government should be prioritizing?
What news have you ever seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada’s past work on any of these issues?
What work, if any, is the federal government planning to do on these files?
On these priorities, is the Government of Canada generally on the right track or wrong track? Why?
- For those who say they are on the wrong track, what could the Government of Canada do to get on the right track?
Now thinking more generally, what issues is the federal government prioritizing?
- IF DIFFERENT: What news have you heard on these priorities?

HEALTHCARE PRIORITY AREAS (35 minutes) Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians

Thinking now specifically about healthcare priorities…

What are the biggest challenges facing healthcare in your area?
Has anyone heard about any recent commitments or announcements made by the Government of Canada on healthcare?

SHOW ON SCREEN
The Government of Canada recently announced five priority areas in healthcare:

(1) addressing health worker shortages and reducing wait times;
(2) increasing access to family health services;
(3) improving long term care and home care;
(4) addressing mental health and substance use; and
(5) modernizing health data management and virtual care.

What are your initial reactions when you see this priority list?
Are there any priorities listed that you think are particularly important?
Are there any priorities listed that you do not think should be there? Why is that?

FOR EACH OF THE FIVE PRIORITIES, ASK ALL QUESTIONS BELOW:

What types of policies or investments would you expect to see addressing this priority?
- Are there any questions you would like to have answered on this priority?
- Is this something you think will have a positive impact? Will it impact you directly?
Most of the direct management of healthcare systems is the responsibility of provincial governments, even though a significant portion of healthcare funding is transferred to provinces from the Government of Canada. Should the Government of Canada be able to set priorities for the money they provide to provinces or should provinces be able to spend this money however they choose? What makes you say that?
Thinking back to the list of 5 federal priorities, how would you feel if the Government of Canada said the money they provide to provinces for healthcare needs to be spent on these items?
- Are there some priorities that you would want the federal government to insist get more funding?
- Are there some priorities from this list that you think should be up to the provinces?

CONVOY (15 minutes) Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users

What have you heard about the protests against vaccine mandates that took place in various parts of the country in February 2022? (CLARIFY IF NEEDED: The trucker convoy)
- Was anyone following these protests? Where were you getting news on the protests (social media, TV news)?
- What were these protests about?
- Is this an ongoing issue or is it mostly over? Do you think the protests could start again?
What are your thoughts on these protests?
- Has your opinion on the convoy ever changed in any way?
  - IF YES: What caused your opinions to change?
What impacts did these protests have?
Have you heard anything about how the Government of Canada has responded?
- IF NOT MENTIONED: Did you hear about the Government of Canada invoking the Emergencies Act? What did you hear? How do you feel about this measure being used?
How do you think the Government of Canada should have responded?

CONCLUSION (5-10 minutes)

French Moderator’s Guide

GUIDE DU MODÉRATEUR – MARS 2022

DOCUMENT MAÎTRE

INTRODUCTION (10 minutes) Tous les lieux

Le modérateur ou la personne responsable du soutien technique doit faire savoir aux participant(e)s qu’un stylo et du papier seront nécessaires afin de prendre des notes et d’écrire quelques réflexions au sujet des pièces de communication que nous leur montrerons plus tard au cours de la discussion.

GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA DANS L’ACTUALITÉ (5-30 minutes) Tous les lieux

Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu au sujet du gouvernement du Canada au cours des derniers jours?
Résidents d’Ottawa, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis, résidents du Yukon, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière, utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal Quelle est l’information la plus récente, le cas échéant, que vous ayez entendue sur la situation en Ukraine?
- Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis, résidents du Yukon, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière Autant que vous le sachiez, qu’a fait le gouvernement du Canada en réponse à la crise en Ukraine?
  - Jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu récemment au sujet des réfugiés ukrainiens?
  - Résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu récemment au sujet des Ukrainiens qui fuient leur pays?
- Résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière Qu’est-ce que l’Ukraine demande au Canada de faire? Avez-vous entendu parler de quelconques demandes du gouvernement de l’Ukraine?
  - Que pensez-vous de ces demandes?
- Résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière Vous sentez-vous personnellement touché(e) par cette crise? Si oui, de quelle façon?
- Résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière Selon vous, quels seront certains des impacts à long terme de cette crise? Que va-t-il se produire, selon vous?
- Résidents du Yukon, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière Le gouvernement fédéral devrait-il en faire plus en réponse à la crise?
Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu au sujet des récents développements liés au projet Coastal GasLink?

Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN : Le projet Coastal GasLink acheminera du gaz naturel depuis la région de Dawson Creek jusqu’à une usine de Kitimat où il sera converti à l’état liquide – ce qu’on appelle le gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL) – pour ensuite être exporté vers les marchés mondiaux.

Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique SONDER SI NÉCESSAIRE : Avez-vous entendu parler de militants qui font pression pour que des banques comme la RBC cessent de financer le projet?
- Quel est le rôle du gouvernement fédéral dans tout cela, s’il en a un?
Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique Qu’aimeriez qu’il se passe en lien avec ce projet?
Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique Est-ce que quelqu’un a entendu parler du projet visant à doubler la capacité du Port de Prince Rupert en construisant un deuxième terminal à conteneurs?

Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN/AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN
D’après l’Administration portuaire de Prince Rupert (APPR), l’ajout d’un nouveau terminal à conteneurs dans le port de Prince Rupert augmenterait considérablement les capacités d’échanges commerciaux avec les marchés de l’Asie-Pacifique.

En vertu d’un nouvel accord conclu entre l’APPR et DP World (une multinationale de logistique spécialisée notamment dans la logistique du fret et l’exploitation des terminaux portuaires), les deux partenaires mèneront de nombreuses études sur le site envisagé. Ces études porteront principalement sur les moyens d’atténuer les impacts environnementaux et communautaires de l’initiative, d’améliorer la résilience des chaînes d’approvisionnement canadiennes, et d’assurer la pleine intégration du projet dans l’écosystème multimodal du port.

Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique Qu’en pensez-vous?
- D’après vous, quel serait l’impact d’un deuxième terminal à conteneurs?
- Est-ce un projet que le gouvernement fédéral devrait soutenir, à votre avis?
Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit au sujet de l’annonce récente du gouvernement du Canada concernant son Plan de réduction des émissions?
- SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous entendu? Qu’en pensez-vous?

CONVOI/LOI SUR LES MESURES D’URGENCE (40-55 minutes) Résidents d’Ottawa, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis

Qu’est-ce qui vous vient à l’esprit quand vous pensez au convoi de camionneurs? Que pensez-vous de ces manifestations?
- Avez-vous été touchés personnellement par les manifestations à Ottawa? De quelle façon?
- Mis à part les impacts personnels, quels impacts le convoi a-t-il sur la collectivité d’Ottawa en général, d’après vous?
- Votre opinion des manifestations a-t-elle changé depuis le moment où elles ont débuté?
  - SI OUI : À quel moment avez-vous changé d’avis à leur sujet, et qu’est-ce qui vous a fait changer d’avis?
Résidents d’Ottawa Comme vous le savez sans doute, il y a de nombreuses manifestations à Ottawa. Celles-ci étaient-elles différentes? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis Est-ce que ces manifestations étaient pareilles à toutes les autres manifestations que vous avez vues? Pouvez-vous expliquer?
Globalement, comment décririez-vous ce qui s’est passé?
- Quel a été l’élément déclencheur?
- Et que s’est-il passé quand les manifestants étaient [à Ottawa/dans votre région]?
  - Résidents d’Ottawa Le comportement des manifestants a-t-il changé au fil du temps, ou est-il resté à peu près le même tout au long?
    - Résidents d’Ottawa SI CHANGEMENT : En quoi leur comportement a-t-il changé?
- Qu’est-ce qui les a fait partir, en fin de compte?
Quel avenir y a-t-il pour le convoi de camionneurs?
- Est-ce que quelqu’un pense que le convoi pourrait revenir?
  - SI OUI : Quel genre de scénario imaginez-vous?
Selon vous, qui [est/était] principalement responsable de gérer ces manifestations? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
- NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : S’ILS RÉPONDENT « LE GOUVERNEMENT », LEUR FAIRE PRÉCISER QUEL ORDRE DE GOUVERNEMENT. S’ILS RÉPONDENT « LA POLICE », LEUR FAIRE PRÉCISER QUELLES FORCES POLICIÈRES.
Résidents d’Ottawa Comment l’administration municipale d’Ottawa et le Service de police d’Ottawa ont-ils chacun composé avec la situation?
- Pensez-vous que chacun a fait ce qu’il a pu? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
- Le cas échéant, qu’est-ce que chacun a fait de bien?
- Le cas échéant, qu’est-ce que chacun aurait pu faire de mieux?
- Pensez-vous que le Service de police d’Ottawa aurait pu résoudre la situation si le gouvernement du Canada n’avait pas invoqué la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Passons maintenant au gouvernement de l’Ontario et à la Police provinciale de l’Ontario. Que pensez-vous de leur réponse à la situation?
- Résidents d’Ottawa Le cas échéant, qu’est-ce que chacun a fait de bien?
- Résidents d’Ottawa Le cas échéant, qu’est-ce que chacun aurait pu faire de mieux?
- Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis Pensez-vous que la Police provinciale de l’Ontario et votre police locale auraient pu résoudre la situation si le gouvernement du Canada n’avait pas invoqué la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Et maintenant, si vous repensez à la façon dont le gouvernement du Canada a réagi, que diriez-vous de sa gestion de la situation?
- Résidents d’Ottawa Le cas échéant, qu’est-ce qu’il a fait de bien?
- Résidents d’Ottawa Le cas échéant, qu’est-ce qu’il aurait pu faire de mieux?
Résidents d’Ottawa Pensez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada a agi trop rapidement, trop lentement ou au bon moment?
Pensez-vous que le gouvernement fédéral a bien fait d’invoquer la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence ou pas? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
À votre connaissance, est-ce que la réponse aux manifestations a changé après la mise en œuvre de la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence?
- SI OUI : En quoi a-t-elle changé?
Résidents d’Ottawa Juste pour vous rafraîchir la mémoire, le gouvernement du Canada a révoqué le recours à la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence le 23 février, quelques jours après que la police a délogé les manifestants et les véhicules du centre-ville d’Ottawa. Que pensez-vous du fait que le gouvernement du Canada a révoqué la Loi?
Résidents d’Ottawa Avez-vous l’impression que les protestataires risquent de revenir au centre-ville d’Ottawa et de reprendre leurs activités, ou croyez-vous que la situation est désormais à peu près réglée?
Le gouvernement fédéral aurait-il pu s’y prendre autrement pour gérer la situation du convoi de camionneurs?
Croyez-vous que la ville d’Ottawa subira des conséquences à long terme à cause du convoi?
Résidents d’Ottawa Que peut-on améliorer pour que la ville d’Ottawa soit mieux préparée advenant d’autres événements de ce genre?

ENJEUX LOCAUX (20-50 minutes) Résidents d’Ottawa, résidents de Terre-Neuve, résidents du Yukon, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière

Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières En ce qui concerne Trois-Rivières, quels sont les plus grands enjeux et les plus grandes préoccupations? [DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Qu’en est-il du dossier de la « pyrrhotite »?]
- POUR CHACUN DES ENJEUX : Pourquoi est-ce important? Qu’est-ce qui doit être fait? EXPLORER POUR VOIR SI LES AUTRES ESTIMENT QUE C’EST IMPORTANT.
Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières Qu’en est-il des pénuries de main-d’œuvre? Les pénuries de main-d’œuvre sont-elles un enjeu important dans votre collectivité? Si oui, pourquoi est-ce important? Quelles en sont les causes?
- S’agit-il d’un nouveau problème?
- Le gouvernement fédéral a-t-il fait quoi que ce soit pour remédier aux pénuries de main-d’œuvre? Qu’est-ce qui pourrait aider à résoudre les pénuries de main-d’œuvre?
Jeunes adultes de Calgary En ce qui concerne Calgary, quelles sont les plus importantes questions et préoccupations?
- POUR CHACUN DES ENJEUX : Pourquoi est-ce important? Qu’est-ce qui doit être fait? EXPLORER POUR VOIR SI LES AUTRES ESTIMENT QUE C’EST IMPORTANT.
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il du logement? Est-ce un enjeu important? Quels sont les problèmes de logement les plus importants dans votre région? Qu’aimeriez-vous voir changer? Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement fédéral a fait dans le dossier du logement?
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il de la dépendance aux opioïdes? Dans quelle mesure la dépendance aux opioïdes pose-t-elle problème à Calgary?
  - Quelles sont certaines des causes de la dépendance aux opioïdes?
  - À qui ou à quoi peut-on attribuer la plus grande part de responsabilité dans le problème actuel des opioïdes? (p. ex., les compagnies pharmaceutiques qui fabriquent des produits dangereux, les médecins qui ne prescrivent pas correctement, les gens qui prennent de mauvaises décisions, autre chose?)
  - Que devrait faire le gouvernement fédéral, selon vous, pour aider à résoudre le problème de la dépendance aux opioïdes?
Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique En ce qui concerne le nord de la Colombie-Britannique, quelles sont les plus importantes questions et préoccupations?
- POUR CHACUN DES ENJEUX : Pourquoi est-ce important? Qu’est-ce qui doit être fait? EXPLORER POUR VOIR SI LES AUTRES ESTIMENT QUE C’EST IMPORTANT.
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il du logement? Est-ce un enjeu important? Quels sont les problèmes de logement les plus importants dans votre région? Que souhaiteriez-vous voir changer? Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement fédéral a fait dans le dossier du logement?
  - L’itinérance est-elle un problème important dans le nord de la Colombie-Britannique? Quelles en sont les causes principales? Quel est le rôle du gouvernement fédéral pour ce qui est de lutter contre l’itinérance?
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il de la dépendance aux opioïdes? Dans quelle mesure la dépendance aux opioïdes pose-t-elle problème dans le nord de la Colombie-Britannique?
  - Quelles sont certaines des causes de la dépendance aux opioïdes?
  - À qui ou à quoi peut-on attribuer la plus grande part de responsabilité dans le problème actuel des opioïdes? (p. ex., les compagnies pharmaceutiques qui fabriquent des produits dangereux, les médecins qui ne prescrivent pas correctement, les gens qui prennent de mauvaises décisions, autre chose?)
  - Que devrait faire le gouvernement fédéral, selon vous, pour aider à résoudre le problème de la dépendance aux opioïdes?
Résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière En ce qui concerne les régions de Halton/Peel, quelles sont les plus importantes questions et préoccupations?
- POUR CHACUN DES ENJEUX : Pourquoi est-ce important? Qu’est-ce qui doit être fait? EXPLORER POUR VOIR SI LES AUTRES ESTIMENT QUE C’EST IMPORTANT.

Résidents d’Ottawa, résidents de Terre-Neuve, résidents du Manitoba rural Maintenant, je voudrais qu’on se tourne vers votre collectivité locale.

Quels sont les secteurs et les industries les plus importants [pour votre collectivité locale/au Yukon]?
Quels sont, selon vous, les industries et les secteurs de l’économie locale qui ont le plus besoin d’aide? Pourquoi ces industries et secteurs ont-ils besoin de soutien fédéral?
- Résidents d’Ottawa, résidents de Terre-Neuve, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : Pour deux ou trois des secteurs importants cités, demander si le gouvernement du Canada a fait quoi que ce soit pour soutenir ce secteur. Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement du Canada devrait faire de plus pour soutenir ces secteurs?
- Résidents du Yukon Pourquoi?
- Résidents du Yukon SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il du secteur du tourisme?
- Résidents du Yukon Quels sont les enjeux locaux les plus importants au Yukon?
  - POUR CHACUN DES ENJEUX : Pourquoi est-ce important? Qu’est-ce qui doit être fait? EXPLORER POUR VOIR SI LES AUTRES ESTIMENT QUE C’EST IMPORTANT.
Résidents d’Ottawa Quels sont à votre avis les projets d’infrastructures les plus importants à Ottawa que le gouvernement du Canada devrait soutenir?
- SONDER SI NÉCESSAIRE : Êtes-vous au courant d’une participation du gouvernement du Canada à un système léger sur rail (SLR) à Ottawa?
  - SI OUI : Qu’a fait le gouvernement du Canada?

Résidents de Terre-Neuve SONDER SUR LES PÊCHES.

SI LE SUJET N’A PAS ENCORE ÉTÉ MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il de l’industrie de la pêche? À quel point cette industrie est-elle importante à Terre-Neuve?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Par rapport aux autres grands secteurs ou industries mentionnés, l’industrie de la pêche a-t-elle dans l’ensemble un impact plus important ou moins important sur votre communauté? Pourquoi dites-vous cela?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Y a-t-il quelqu’un ici qui est personnellement touché par l’industrie de la pêche ou qui travaille dans ce domaine? Pouvez-vous préciser?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Quels sont les principaux problèmes de l’industrie de la pêche à l’heure actuelle?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Le cas échéant, quel rôle le gouvernement fédéral joue-t-il dans l’industrie de la pêche à Terre-Neuve?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Dans quelle mesure le gouvernement fédéral a-t-il bien rempli son rôle? Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement a fait pour soutenir ce secteur? Pensez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada comprend les enjeux liés à la pêche à Terre-Neuve?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Est-ce que tout le monde connaît le ministère des Pêches et des Océans, aussi appelé le MPO?

Résidents de Terre-Neuve ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN : Pêches et Océans Canada (MPO) est l’institution fédérale responsable de la protection des eaux et de la gestion des ressources halieutiques et océaniques du Canada. Le MPO contribue à garantir des écosystèmes aquatiques sains et durables grâce à la protection de l’habitat et à des recherches scientifiques rigoureuses. Il appuie la croissance économique du secteur maritime et du secteur des pêches, ainsi que l’innovation dans des domaines comme l’aquaculture et la biotechnologie.

- Que savez-vous au sujet du MPO? Avez-vous déjà entendu parler des activités de ce ministère?

Résidents de Terre-Neuve SONDER SUR LE PÉTROLE ET LE GAZ.

SI LE SUJET N’A PAS ENCORE ÉTÉ MENTIONNÉ : Et qu’en est-il du pétrole et du gaz? Est-ce une industrie importante à Terre-Neuve?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Par rapport aux autres grands secteurs ou industries mentionnés, l’industrie du pétrole et du gaz a-t-elle globalement un impact plus important ou moins important sur votre communauté? Pourquoi dites-vous cela?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Y a-t-il quelqu’un ici qui est personnellement touché par l’industrie du pétrole et du gaz ou qui travaille dans ce secteur? Pouvez-vous préciser?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve À votre avis, quels sont les principaux problèmes de l’industrie du pétrole et du gaz à l’heure actuelle? Quelles répercussions ces problèmes ont-ils sur vous?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Quel rôle le gouvernement fédéral joue-t-il dans l’industrie du pétrole et du gaz? Quelles actions du gouvernement fédéral ont eu des conséquences pour l’industrie du pétrole et du gaz? Quel est votre avis à ce sujet?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Pensez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada comprend l’industrie du pétrole et du gaz à Terre-Neuve? Pourquoi dites-vous cela?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Est-ce que quelqu’un a entendu parler de projets pétroliers et gaziers à Terre-Neuve? Si oui, lequel ou lesquels? Que pensez-vous de ce projet?

Résidents de Terre-Neuve SONDER SUR LE PROJET D’EXPLOITATION BAY DU NORD.

Quelqu’un a-t-il entendu parler du projet d’exploitation Bay du Nord qui est à l’étude? Qu’avez-vous entendu?

Résidents de Terre-Neuve ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN : Equinor propose de construire et d’exploiter une installation flottante de production de pétrole et de gaz extracôtière dans la passe Flamande, à environ 500 kilomètres à l’est de St. John’s, à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, dans l’océan Atlantique. Tel qu’il est proposé, le projet d’exploitation Bay du Nord aurait une durée de vie d’environ 30 ans, et des puits et des ancrages supplémentaires pourraient être ajoutés à l’installation de production.

Résidents de Terre-Neuve Connaissez-vous la position du gouvernement fédéral sur ce projet? Quelle est-elle?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Quels pourraient être certains avantages du projet, s’il allait de l’avant?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Quels pourraient être certains désavantages?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve Le projet fait actuellement l’objet d’une évaluation environnementale qui déterminera s’il peut être approuvé et mis en œuvre. D’après vous, comment le gouvernement fédéral devrait-il aborder les choses si l’évaluation conclut que le projet pose des risques importants pour l’environnement?
Résidents du Yukon Si vous pensez aux pénuries de main-d’œuvre, diriez-vous que c’est un enjeu important? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas? Le cas échéant, quelles répercussions les pénuries de main-d’œuvre ont-elles au Yukon?
- Si c’est un problème, quelles en sont les causes? Que faut-il faire?
- Qu’a fait le gouvernement fédéral pour corriger ce problème?
Résidents du Yukon Si vous pensez à la dépendance aux opioïdes, dans quelle mesure diriez-vous que c’est un enjeu important au Yukon? Et dans votre communauté?
- Quelles sont certaines des causes de la dépendance aux opioïdes? Qui est plus susceptible d’être touché par les opioïdes?
- Que faut-il faire? Quelles sont les solutions pour aider?
- Le gouvernement fédéral a-t-il fait quoi que ce soit pour lutter contre ce problème?
Résidents du Yukon En ce qui concerne l’industrie de la pêche, est-ce que quelqu’un a entendu des nouvelles au sujet des saumons du fleuve Yukon?
- POSER DES QUESTIONS SUR LE DÉCLIN DES SAUMONS : Au Yukon, les réseaux fluviaux où l’on trouve habituellement de grandes quantités de saumons kéta ont connu de forts déclins tant en 2020 et qu’en 2021 (environ 20 % du nombre attendu de saumons sont revenus).
  - À quel point ce sujet vous est-il familier?
  - Est-ce un gros problème? Qu’est-ce qui vous préoccupe le plus?
  - Quelles sont les causes de ce problème?
  - S’agit-il d’un nouveau problème? Ou est-ce un problème qui s’est aggravé avec le temps?
  - Avez-vous subi certaines de ses conséquences? Cela a-t-il eu des impacts sur votre mode de vie ou votre régime alimentaire?
  - Quels impacts cela a-t-il eu sur le Yukon? Qui est le plus susceptible d’être touché?
  - Que faudrait-il faire? Existe-t-il des solutions locales pour aider à corriger ce déclin?
  - Quel genre d’aide attendez-vous du gouvernement fédéral?

Résidents du Yukon Et quels sont les besoins du Yukon en matière d’infrastructures?
- Quels sont les plus importantes préoccupations ou les plus grands défis? Y a-t-il quoi que ce soit qui doit être fait?
- Êtes-vous au courant d’investissements fédéraux faits ces dernières années dans les infrastructures au Yukon?
Résidents du Yukon Si vous repensez à tout ce que le gouvernement fédéral a fait dans la dernière année, qu’est-ce qui aura l’impact le plus positif au Yukon, d’après vous?
Résidents du Yukon Le gouvernement a-t-il fait quoi que ce soit qui aura un impact négatif, selon vous?
Résidents du Manitoba rural Et maintenant, pour ce qui est du Manitoba en général, quelles sont les plus importantes questions et préoccupations?
- POUR CHACUN DES ENJEUX : Pourquoi est-ce important? Qu’est-ce qui doit être fait? EXPLORER POUR VOIR SI LES AUTRES ESTIMENT QUE C’EST IMPORTANT.
Résidents du Manitoba rural Qu’en est-il des services à large bande? L’accès à des services Internet haute vitesse fiables est-il un enjeu important au Manitoba ou dans votre collectivité? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?
- Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit au sujet d’investissements fédéraux dans des infrastructures ou des projets qui permettront d’accroître les services à large bande?
Résidents du Manitoba rural SONDER SI NÉCESSAIRE : Quelqu’un a-t-il entendu parler d’un plan d’investissement fédéral de 41 millions de dollars visant à offrir des services Internet plus rapides à 93 collectivités rurales du Manitoba? Est-ce que cela vous dit quelque chose?
- Est-ce une initiative qui va profiter à votre collectivité? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?
- Y a-t-il autre chose que vous attendez du gouvernement?
Résidents du Manitoba rural Et de quoi ont besoin les régions rurales du Manitoba sur le plan des infrastructures? Dans votre collectivité ou à proximité, quels sont selon vous les projets d’infrastructures les plus importants que le gouvernement du Canada devrait soutenir?
- Quels sont les plus importantes préoccupations ou les plus grands défis?
- Êtes-vous au courant d’investissements fédéraux faits ces dernières années dans les infrastructures au Manitoba?
Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière Et de quoi a besoin/ont besoin [Trois-Rivières/Calgary/le nord de la Colombie-Britannique/les régions de Halton et de Peel] sur le plan des infrastructures? Dans votre collectivité ou à proximité, quels sont selon vous les projets d’infrastructures les plus importants que le gouvernement du Canada devrait soutenir?
- Êtes-vous au courant d’investissements fédéraux faits ces dernières années dans les infrastructures [à Trois-Rivières/à Calgary/ dans le nord de la Colombie-Britannique/dans les régions de Halton et de Peel]?
  - Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Qu’en est-il du train à grande fréquence?

PÉTROLE CARBONEUTRE (15-20 minutes) Résidents d’Ottawa, résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis

Pensez-vous que le monde connaît actuellement une urgence climatique, ou non? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Avez-vous déjà entendu le terme « pétrole carboneutre »? Que pensez-vous qu’il signifie?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN :
Le pétrole carboneutre fait référence aux projets d’extraction pétrolière qui annulent complètement les émissions de gaz à effet de serre produites lors du processus d’extraction, en réduisant les émissions et/ou en ayant recours à des méthodes de capture du dioxyde de carbone dans l’atmosphère pour compenser toute émission restante.

Pensez-vous qu’il soit réaliste de penser que l’industrie pétrolière pourra, à l’avenir, développer un plus grand nombre de projets de production de pétrole carboneutre, à supposer qu’elle le veuille?
- Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Pourquoi dites-vous cela?
S’il était possible pour les sociétés pétrolières d’atteindre la carboneutralité en matière d’émissions, pensez-vous que cela contribuerait de manière significative à atteindre les objectifs d’émissions du Canada à l’avenir, ou non? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Récemment, le Canada voit des prix d’essence très élevés, en partie en réaction au conflit en Europe de l’Est qui menace les marchés pétroliers internationaux. Ces récents développements changent-ils la façon dont vous pensez que le Canada devrait gérer sa propre production de pétrole?

PERSPECTIVES SUR LA COVID-19 (10-45 minutes) Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal

Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières En ce qui concerne la performance du gouvernement du Canada pendant la pandémie, à votre avis, quelles sont les choses qu’il a faites de bien jusqu’à maintenant?
- Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
- Que pourrait-il faire de mieux?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières Pensez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada fait un aussi bon travail aujourd’hui qu’au début de la pandémie, ou diriez-vous qu’il en fait un meilleur ou qu’il en fait un moins bon?
- Veuillez expliquer.
Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières SONDAGE :Dans la case prévue à cet effet, veuillez saisir un mot qui décrit comment vous vous sentez par rapport aux restrictions en vigueur dans votre région. [DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Pour quelle raison avez-vous choisi ce mot?]
- Devraient-elles être levées? Devrait-on rouvrir plus de choses?
- Devraient-elles être davantage resserrées?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières Pensez-vous qu’à court terme la propagation de la COVID-19 va s’aggraver ou bien que le pire est derrière nous?
Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières Et si l’on se projette dans un an, pensez-vous que nous ne serons plus en situation de pandémie, ou pensez-vous que la COVID-19 sera encore un problème?
- Résidents de Terre-Neuve, aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières SI « ENCORE UN PROBLÈME » : En supposant que la COVID-19 soit toujours un enjeu dans un an, à quoi ressemblera la vie quotidienne selon vous? Par exemple, la vie sera revenue en grande partie à la normale? On mettra en place des restrictions lorsqu’il y aura une augmentation des cas? Autre chose?
Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières Y en a-t-il parmi vous qui ont reçu une troisième dose du vaccin contre la COVID-19? (À MAIN LEVÉE)
- POUR LES PERSONNES NE L’AYANT PAS REÇUE : Avez-vous pris un rendez-vous pour recevoir une troisième dose? (À MAIN LEVÉE)

POUR LES PERSONNES QUI ONT REÇU UNE TROISIÈME DOSE OU QUI ONT PRIS UN RENDEZ-VOUS :

Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières Qu’est-ce qui a fait que vous avez décidé de recevoir une troisième dose?

POUR LES PERSONNES N’AYANT PAS REÇU UNE TROISIÈME DOSE OU QUI N’ONT PAS PRIS DE RENDEZ-VOUS :

Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières Y a-t-il des questions liées aux vaccins contre la COVID-19 en général ou plus spécifiquement sur la troisième dose auxquelles vous aimeriez obtenir des réponses?
Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières De quelles autres informations avez-vous besoin pour vous aider dans votre décision de recevoir une troisième dose?
Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières En 2020, des mesures de santé publique telles que le lavage des mains, le port du masque et la distanciation sociale furent introduites pour aider à contrôler la propagation de la COVID-19. Quel genre d’impact ces mesures de santé publique ont-elles eu, selon vous?
Résidents du Manitoba rural En général, que pensez-vous des exigences vaccinales? Est-ce que ce sont des mesures plutôt utiles ou plutôt nuisibles?
- Le cas échéant, pour quelles activités devrait-on exiger une preuve de vaccination? (AU BESOIN : Cette preuve devrait-elle être requise pour des choses comme les voyages ou la participation à un événement public?)
  - Qu’est-ce qui vous incite à avoir cette opinion?
- Y a-t-il des activités qui ne devraient pas comporter d’exigences vaccinales? Lesquelles? Pourquoi?
- Votre opinion au sujet des exigences vaccinales a-t-elle changé? Si oui, qu’est-ce qui vous a fait changer d’avis?
Résidents du Manitoba rural Avez-vous entendu parler des manifestations contre l’obligation vaccinale qui ont eu lieu dans différentes régions du pays en février 2022? (ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN : Le convoi de camionneurs).
- Qu’avez-vous entendu?
- Que pensez-vous de ces manifestations?
- Votre opinion au sujet du convoi a-t-elle changé sur certains points? Si oui, qu’est-ce qui explique que vos opinions aient changé?
- Quels impacts ont eu ces manifestations?
- Pensez-vous que les manifestations pourraient reprendre?
- Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit au sujet de la réponse du gouvernement du Canada?
  - SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit au sujet de l’invocation de la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence par le gouvernement du Canada? Qu’avez-vous entendu? Que pensez-vous du recours à cette mesure?
- Selon vous, quelle aurait dû être la réponse du gouvernement du Canada?
Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal Dans quelle mesure la propagation de la COVID vous inquiète-t-elle?
Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal Avez-vous l’impression que les choses sont revenues à la « normale »?
- Lorsque vous êtes en présence d’autres personnes, vous comportez-vous différemment comparativement à la manière dont vous vous comportiez avant la pandémie? De quelle manière?
Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal Le fait qu’une autre personne soit vaccinée ou non affecte-t-il la façon dont vous interagissez avec elle ou le niveau de confort que vous ressentez en sa présence?
- Et qu’en est-il si une personne n’est que partiellement vaccinée et n’a pas reçu de dose de rappel?

LOGEMENT (15 minutes) Résidents de Terre-Neuve

Maintenant, j’aimerais laisser de côté la COVID-19 et aborder certains enjeux qui concernent Terre-Neuve…

À quoi ressemble le marché de l’habitation à Terre-Neuve?
- Quels sont les plus grands défis en matière de logement dans cette province? (p. ex., abordabilité, qualité, offre?)
Selon vous, à quel point est-il facile ou difficile de trouver un logement abordable dans votre région?
Êtes-vous au courant de mesures prises par le gouvernement du Canada pour améliorer la situation du logement à Terre-Neuve?
- Qu’a fait le gouvernement du Canada?
Que devrait faire le gouvernement fédéral, selon vous, pour améliorer le logement dans votre région?
Le gouvernement fédéral s’apprête à imposer une taxe sur les logements qui appartiennent à des étrangers et qui restent vacants presque toute l’année. Quel impact une mesure de ce genre aurait-elle à Terre-Neuve?

ENJEUX LIÉS AUX AÎNÉS (30 minutes) Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

Maintenant, je voudrais que l’on se concentre sur un autre sujet.

Quel est l’enjeu le plus important pour vous personnellement et sur lequel, selon vous, le gouvernement du Canada devrait se concentrer le plus? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Et quel est l’enjeu le plus important auquel les aînés en général sont confrontés en ce moment et auquel le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder plus d’attention? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit sur ce que le gouvernement du Canada a fait récemment pour soutenir les aînés?
Diriez-vous que de manière générale, le gouvernement est sur la bonne voie en ce qui concerne les aînés? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas? Qu’est-ce que ça prendrait pour le mettre sur la bonne voie?
Quelle est habituellement la première source des nouvelles que vous entendez?
Et maintenant, si vous pensez aux informations en général qui concernent le gouvernement du Canada, y compris les politiques qu’il met en œuvre ou les actions qu’il prend, cherchez-vous activement ce genre d’information?
- SI OUI : Où cherchez-vous pour trouver ce genre d’information?
Dans l’ensemble, pensez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada fait un effort pour être à l’écoute des aînés? Selon vous, accorde-t-il une priorité aux aînés lorsqu’il prend des décisions? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?
- Que pourrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour joindre plus efficacement les aînés?
Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit au sujet des changements qu’a apportés le gouvernement fédéral au Supplément de revenu garanti (SRG), récemment? Qu’avez-vous entendu?
Vous attendez-vous à ce qu’il y ait des changements dans le futur?
Le gouvernement fédéral devrait-il accorder la priorité à l’augmentation du SRG comme moyen d’aider les aînés lors de la reprise économique?

ARMES À FEU (10 minutes) Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal

Y a-t-il quelqu’un qui a entendu quoi que ce soit au sujet de ce que le gouvernement fédéral a fait récemment par rapport à la possession d’armes à feu au Canada?
Avez-vous entendu parler de l’intention du gouvernement du Canada d’interdire les armes d’assaut de type militaire et de racheter toutes celles-ci que possèdent déjà les Canadiens et les Canadiennes?
- Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal De manière générale, êtes-vous en faveur ou vous opposez-vous à l’interdiction des armes à feu de style armes d’assaut?
- Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal Pensez-vous qu’il devrait être obligatoire de remettre ces armes si elles ont été acquises avant la mise en œuvre de l’interdiction?
Aînés du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Que pensez-vous de cette interdiction? Pourquoi dites-vous cela?
Y a-t-il autre chose que le gouvernement du Canada devrait faire par rapport à la possession d’armes à feu au Canada?

SERVICES DE GARDE (20 minutes) Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis

Je voudrais maintenant parler de garde de jeunes enfants…

Quel est le plus grand défi en matière de garde de jeunes enfants en Ontario?
Avez-vous des enfants en garderie? (À MAIN LEVÉE)
- Combien cela vous coûte-t-il?
- Dans quelle mesure a-t-il été facile ou difficile de trouver et d’obtenir une place?
Avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu quoi que ce soit par rapport au gouvernement du Canada et la garde des jeunes enfants?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Avez-vous entendu parler de quelconques ententes entre le gouvernement du Canada et des provinces et territoires individuels?
- Avez-vous entendu parler de négociations portant sur les services de garde d’enfants entre l’Ontario et le gouvernement du Canada?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN : Le gouvernement du Canada a récemment mené des négociations avec les provinces et les territoires en vue d’instaurer des systèmes de garde d’enfants à 10 $ par jour dans l’ensemble du pays. L’Ontario est maintenant la seule province à ne pas avoir conclu d’entente.

À votre connaissance, comment se fait-il qu’aucune entente n’ait été conclue en Ontario jusqu’à présent?
Que pensez-vous du fait qu’il n’y ait pas d’entente conclue entre le gouvernement fédéral et l’Ontario?
Mis à part l’offre de services de garde à 10 $ par jour en Ontario, y a-t-il d’autres priorités en matière de garde d’enfants dont les gouvernements devraient s’occuper?

RAGE (15 minutes) Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de villes ontariennes à la frontière des États-Unis

Et maintenant, pour notre dernier thème, j’aimerais vous poser quelques questions sur vos animaux de compagnie, si vous en avez.

Nous recherchons plus particulièrement des personnes qui ont un chien. (À MAIN LEVÉE)

Depuis combien de temps avez-vous un chien? D’où vient votre chien? (SONDER: d’un éleveur, d’une organisation de sauvetage de chiens, d’ailleurs?)

POUR CEUX QUI RÉPONDENT « ORGANISATION DE SAUVETAGE » :

Vous rappelez-vous le nom de cette organisation?
Comment avez-vous choisi cette organisation de sauvetage? Quelles questions avez-vous posées à l’organisation ou quelles recherches avez-vous effectuées avant l’adoption?

SI LES ORGANISATIONS DE SAUVETAGE NE SONT PAS MENTIONNÉES : Comme vous le savez peut-être, il existe des organisations de sauvetage ayant pour vocation de récupérer des animaux de compagnie abandonnés, maltraités ou errants et d’essayer de leur trouver un foyer adapté à leurs besoins.

Avez-vous tendance à penser qu’une organisation de sauvetage de chiens exerce ses activités à titre d’organisation caritative ou sans but lucratif, ou pensez-vous que certaines de ces organisations sont parfois des sociétés à but lucratif? (À MAIN LEVÉE)

J’aimerais maintenant parler d’une maladie grave qui touche les chiens : la rage. Voici quelques informations à ce sujet :

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN
La rage est une maladie virale qui touche le système nerveux central des mammifères (chiens, chats, renards, etc.), dont celui de l’homme. Le virus de la rage est particulièrement présent dans la salive et le cerveau des animaux infectés, le plus souvent des chiens. Il est généralement transmis par la morsure d’un animal malade.

Au Canada, la rage est présente chez des animaux sauvages comme les mouffettes, les renards, les ratons laveurs et les chauves-souris, mais pas chez les chiens; autrement dit, il n’y a pas de cas de rage canine dans ce pays.

À quel point craignez-vous que la rage canine s’introduise au Canada? Si un cas de rage canine était découvert au Canada, seriez-vous inquiet(e) du risque que cela pose pour vous ou votre famille?
Et selon vous, en ce qui concerne les chiens qui arrivent au Canada en provenance d’autres pays, qui a la responsabilité de vérifier que ces chiens n’ont pas la rage?

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN
L’Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments (ACIA) exécute des programmes dans les domaines de la santé des animaux et de l’élevage pour empêcher l’entrée d’agents pathogènes exotiques ainsi que la transmission de certaines maladies animales indigènes. Les importateurs ont toutefois la responsabilité de s’assurer que tous les résultats de tests et les documents exigés ont été soumis avant le transport des animaux au Canada.

À l’échelle mondiale, la rage reste une maladie très dangereuse qui fait plus 50 000 victimes chaque année, dont 40 % sont des enfants. Elle est prévalente dans de nombreux pays, et les chiens qui proviennent de ces pays représentent donc un risque pour la santé animale et la santé humaine. Le variant canin du virus de la rage est endémique dans une centaine de pays.

Certains pays, notamment les États-Unis, interdisent l’importation de chiens venant de pays où la rage n’est pas maîtrisée.
Que diriez-vous si le gouvernement du Canada adoptait une politique semblable afin de mieux protéger la santé humaine et la santé des chiens qui sont déjà au Canada?
Et si les nouvelles exigences réduisaient le nombre de chiens disponibles à l’importation au Canada?
Seriez-vous pour ou contre cette politique? Veuillez développer votre réponse.

BUDGET DE 2022 (10-15 minutes) Résidents du Yukon, résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière

J’aimerais vous parler du prochain budget fédéral…

Selon vous, sur quoi portera le prochain budget fédéral?
Sur quoi pensez-vous que le prochain budget fédéral devrait porter?
Résidents du Manitoba rural, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières, jeunes adultes de Calgary Si vous pensez aux années précédentes, vous souvenez-vous de quoi que ce soit qui fut annoncé par le gouvernement fédéral dans le cadre de budgets antérieurs? (UNIQUEMENT DANS LE CAS D’UN SILENCE : Des investissements, des thèmes, des priorités, toute chose contenue dans un quelconque budget antérieur dont vous vous souvenez?)

LOGEMENT DANS LE NORD (20 minutes) Résidents du Yukon

Quelle est la situation du logement au Yukon?
- Quels sont les plus grands défis en matière de logement? (SONDER SI NÉCESSAIRE : abordabilité, qualité, offre)
Y a-t-il eu des changements dans la situation du logement au cours des dernières années?
Qui est responsable du logement? (p. ex., administration municipale, gouvernement territorial ou fédéral)
Êtes-vous au courant de mesures prises par le gouvernement du Canada pour améliorer la situation du logement au Yukon? Qu’a fait le gouvernement du Canada?
Que devrait faire le gouvernement fédéral pour aider dans le dossier du logement?

ENVIRONNEMENT (20 minutes) Résidents du Yukon

Pensez-vous que le monde connaît actuellement une urgence climatique, ou non? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
En quoi le Yukon est-il touché par les changements climatiques, si tel est le cas?
Quels sont vos principaux motifs de préoccupation liés à l’environnement et aux changements climatiques?
- Dans quelle mesure vous inquiétez-vous des risques de catastrophes naturelles au Yukon (comme les inondations ou les feux)? Qu’est-ce qui vous inquiète le plus : les inondations, les feux, d’autres catastrophes?
- Avez-vous personnellement fait quoi que ce soit pour essayer de vous préparer à des catastrophes naturelles? Si oui, qu’avez-vous fait?
- Votre gouvernement territorial ou local a-t-il fait quelque chose pour aider à se préparer aux catastrophes naturelles?
- Le gouvernement fédéral a-t-il fait quelque chose pour aider à se préparer aux catastrophes naturelles? Que faudrait-il faire, ou quel soutien faudrait-il offrir, selon vous?

VACCIN CONTRE LA COVID-19 POUR LES ENFANTS (15 minutes) Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans de Trois-Rivières

Je voudrais maintenant me pencher sur la vaccination contre la COVID-19…

Comme vous le savez peut-être, Santé Canada a approuvé des vaccins destinés aux enfants de 5 à 11 ans.

En avez-vous parlé à vos enfants?
Y en a-t-il parmi vous qui ont fait vacciner leurs enfants de moins de 12 ans? (À MAIN LEVÉE)
- POUR LES PERSONNES QUI NE L’ONT PAS FAIT : Avez-vous pris un rendez-vous pour faire vacciner vos enfants? (À MAIN LEVÉE)

POUR LES PERSONNES QUI ONT FAIT VACCINER LEURS ENFANTS OU QUI ONT PRIS UN RENDEZ-VOUS :

Qu’est-ce qui a fait que vous avez décidé de faire vacciner vos enfants?

POUR LES PERSONNES QUI N’ONT NI FAIT VACCINER LEURS ENFANTS NI PRIS UN RENDEZ-VOUS :

Quels sont les facteurs qui influenceront votre décision de faire vacciner ou non vos enfants?
Y a-t-il des questions sur la vaccination des enfants contre la COVID-19 auxquelles vous aimeriez obtenir des réponses?

UKRAINIENS (15 minutes) Jeunes adultes de Calgary, résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal

Pensez-vous que le Canada est prêt actuellement à accueillir un afflux d’Ukrainiens ayant fui leur pays? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas? Et dans votre collectivité?
Avez-vous de quelconques préoccupations concernant l’accueil d’Ukrainiens?
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et en matière de logement?
Selon vous, que devrait-il se passer, le cas échéant, pour que le Canada accueille des Ukrainiens? À quoi ressemblerait la réussite? À votre avis, que faudrait-il prendre en compte et prévoir? Et dans votre collectivité?
Diriez-vous que votre collectivité est un lieu accueillant? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?
Le gouvernement du Canada a annoncé l’Autorisation de voyage d’urgence Canada-Ukraine. Y en a-t-il parmi vous qui en ont entendu parler?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN/AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN
Le gouvernement du Canada a créé l’Autorisation de voyage d’urgence Canada-Ukraine (AVUCU), qui permettra aux Ukrainiens et aux membres de leur famille de venir au Canada le plus rapidement possible et de travailler ou d’étudier pendant leur séjour au pays.

En ce qui concerne les ressortissants ukrainiens qui sont à l’extérieur du Canada, ils obtiennent avec l’AVUCU un visa de visiteur qui leur permet de venir temporairement au Canada et d’y rester jusqu’à ce qu’ils puissent rentrer en Ukraine en toute sécurité. Ce visa de visiteur donne également la possibilité de demander, au même moment, un permis de travail ou bien d’obtenir le statut d’étudiant si la personne est âgée de moins de 18 ans et souhaite étudier au Canada. Ils peuvent rester au Canada jusqu’à 3 ans à la fois ou jusqu’à l’expiration de leur passeport. Lorsque leur statut est sur le point d’expirer, ils doivent demander une prolongation de séjour.

Êtes-vous favorable à ce plan ou vous y opposez-vous? Pour quelle raison?
- Quel impact pensez-vous que cela aura sur le Canada? Qu’en est-il de votre collectivité?
Selon vous, quels soutiens sont importants pour aider les Ukrainiens après leur arrivée?
Souhaiteriez-vous faire du bénévolat pour soutenir les Ukrainiens qui arrivent? Si oui, de quelles manières?

ENJEUX SPÉCIFIQUES AUX JEUNES (25 minutes) Jeunes adultes de Calgary

Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit sur ce que le gouvernement du Canada a fait récemment pour soutenir les jeunes Canadiennes et Canadiens?
- SONDER SI NÉCESSAIRE : Qu’en est-il des choses que le gouvernement a faites pour aider financièrement les jeunes Canadiennes et Canadiens pendant la COVID?
Quelle est habituellement la première source des nouvelles que vous entendez?
- Qu’en est-il des nouvelles concernant la COVID-19 – quelles sont vos principales sources d’information?
  - En ce qui concerne la COVID-19, cherchez-vous activement de nouvelles informations à ce sujet?
- Et maintenant, si vous songez à l’information en général (pas seulement celle qui a trait à la COVID-19) qui concerne le gouvernement du Canada, y compris les politiques qu’il met en œuvre ou les actions qu’il prend, cherchez-vous activement ce genre d’information?
  - SI OUI : Où cherchez-vous pour trouver ce genre d’information?
Avez-vous vu de quelconques publicités du gouvernement du Canada récemment?
- SI OUI : Quel était le sujet de la publicité? Où l’avez-vous vue?
Dans l’ensemble, pensez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada fait un effort pour atteindre les jeunes Canadiennes et Canadiens? Pensez-vous qu’il privilégie les jeunes lorsqu’il prend des décisions? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?
- Que pourrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour atteindre les jeunes Canadiennes et Canadiens de manière plus efficace?
Quel est l’enjeu le plus important pour vous et celui sur lequel vous estimez que le gouvernement du Canada devrait se concentrer le plus? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Et quel est l’enjeu le plus important auquel les jeunes, plus largement, sont confrontés à l’heure actuelle et auquel le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder plus d’attention? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

RÉCONCILIATION (10 minutes) Résidents du nord de la Colombie-Britannique

Qu’est-ce qui vous vient à l’esprit quand vous entendez le mot « réconciliation »?
- Dans quelle mesure la réconciliation avec les peuples autochtones est-elle importante?
Avez-vous entendu parler d’actions du gouvernement fédéral en faveur de la réconciliation?
- Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement fédéral a fait de bien sur le plan de la réconciliation avec les peuples autochtones?
- Quels sont certains aspects que le gouvernement fédéral pourrait améliorer?
Si vous considérez la dernière décennie, avez-vous l’impression que le gouvernement du Canada a évolué dans la bonne direction sur le plan de la réconciliation, ou non?
À quel genre d’actions vous attendez-vous de la part d’un gouvernement qui veut sérieusement faire avancer la réconciliation?

LOCATION RÉSIDENTIELLE (30 MINUTES) Résidents des régions de Halton et de Peel vivant dans la précarité financière

Maintenant, j’aimerais que nous portions notre attention sur le logement…

Est-ce que vous louez actuellement le lieu où vous habitez?
De manière générale, dans quelle mesure est-il facile ou difficile, selon vous, de trouver des logements locatifs abordables dans votre région? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Voici certaines des choses que le gouvernement du Canada pourrait faire pour aider à rendre les logements plus abordables :

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN

Fonds d’innovation pour le logement abordable : Financement d’idées uniques et de techniques de construction novatrices qui révolutionnent le secteur du logement abordable.
Initiative des terrains fédéraux : L’utilisation de terrains et d’immeubles fédéraux excédentaires pour aménager des lieux d’habitation abordables, durables, accessibles et socialement inclusifs.
L’Incitatif à l’achat d’une première propriété : Un programme qui permet d’emprunter 5 ou 10 % du prix d’achat d’une habitation pour la mise de fonds. Les bénéficiaires du programme remboursent le même pourcentage de la valeur de la maison au moment de sa vente ou dans un délai de 25 ans.
Fonds d’accélération de la construction de logements : Fonds mis à la disposition des municipalités pour augmenter l’offre de logements dans les plus grandes villes du Canada au moyen de mesures telles que le zonage d’inclusion, la densification accrue, la réduction des délais d’approbation des projets de construction et la mise en valeur rapide de terrains vacants ou sous-utilisés.
Fonds national de co-investissement pour le logement – volet construction de logements : Prêts à faible coût remboursables et prêts-subventions à des fins d’immobilisations pour bâtir des logements abordables, des refuges, des logements de transition et des logements offrant du soutien.
Financement de la construction de logements locatifs : Prêts à faible coût pour encourager la construction d’immeubles d’appartements durables partout au Canada.

SONDAGE : Maintenant, je voudrais que vous choisissiez celles qui, selon vous, se distinguent comme étant une vraie bonne initiative. Vous pouvez toutes les choisir, n’en choisir aucune ou en choisir un nombre qui se situe entre ces deux extrêmes.
- Fonds d’innovation pour le logement abordable
- Initiative des terrains fédéraux
- L’Incitatif à l’achat d’une première propriété
- Fonds d’accélération de la construction de logements
- Fonds national de co-investissement pour le logement – volet construction de logements
- Financement de la construction de logements locatifs

PASSER EN REVUE LES DIFFÉRENTS CHOIX

Y a-t-il quoi que ce soit qui ressort comme étant une source de confusion ou de préoccupation? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

Je voudrais me pencher sur l’Incitatif à l’achat d’une première propriété, mais je souhaite avoir votre avis sur une variante de celui-ci :

Et s’il y avait un Incitatif à l’achat d’une première propriété spécifiquement pour les jeunes Canadiens célibataires afin de les aider à acheter leur première maison?
- Que pensez-vous de cette approche? Pensez-vous qu’elle serait utile? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
- À quoi vous attendriez-vous dans un tel incitatif?

SOURCES DE NOUVELLES (5 minutes) Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan

Quelle est votre principale source de nouvelles? (télévision, radio, médias sociaux, amis ou famille?)
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Combien d’entre vous utilisez les médias sociaux pour avoir les nouvelles?
  - Quelles plateformes utilisez-vous habituellement?
Y a-t-il certaines plateformes de médias sociaux qui sont plus ou moins fiables pour ce qui est des nouvelles? Si oui, lesquelles?

PRIORITÉS ET PERFORMANCE DU GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA (15 minutes) Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal

À votre avis, quels sont les principaux enjeux auxquels le gouvernement fédéral devrait accorder la priorité?
Quelles nouvelles avez-vous déjà vues, lues ou entendues au sujet du travail effectué par le gouvernement du Canada dans le passé sur l’un de ces dossiers?
Quel travail, le cas échéant, le gouvernement fédéral prévoit-il de faire dans ces dossiers?
En ce qui concerne ces priorités, le gouvernement du Canada est-il globalement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie? Pourquoi?
- Pour les personnes qui affirment qu’il est sur la mauvaise voie, que pourrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour se mettre sur la bonne voie?
Maintenant, en y réfléchissant de manière plus générale, quels sont les enjeux auxquels le gouvernement fédéral accorde la priorité?
- SI CELLES-CI SONT DIFFÉRENTES : Quelles nouvelles avez-vous entendues concernant ces priorités?

DOMAINES PRIORITAIRES EN MATIÈRE DE SOINS DE SANTÉ (35 minutes) Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan, Canadiens racisés de la grande région de Montréal

En pensant maintenant tout particulièrement aux priorités en matière de soins de santé…

Quels sont les plus grands défis liés aux soins de santé dans votre région?
Est-ce que quelqu’un a entendu parler de récents engagements ou d’annonces faites par le gouvernement du Canada en matière de soins de santé?

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN
Le gouvernement du Canada a récemment annoncé cinq domaines prioritaires en matière de soins de santé :

(1) remédier aux pénuries de personnel de la santé et réduire les temps d’attente;
(2) augmenter l’accès aux soins de santé familiale;
(3) améliorer les soins de longue durée et les soins à domicile;
(4) s’attaquer aux questions de santé mentale et de consommation de substances;
(5) moderniser la gestion des données sur la santé et les soins virtuels.

Quelles sont vos premières réactions lorsque vous voyez cette liste de priorités?
Parmi les priorités énumérées, y en a-t-il qui vous semblent particulièrement importantes?
Y a-t-il des priorités qui, selon vous, ne devraient pas figurer sur la liste? Pour quelles raisons?

POUR CHACUNE DES CINQ PRIORITÉS, POSER TOUTES LES QUESTIONS CI-DESSOUS :

Quels types de politiques ou d’investissements vous attendriez-vous à voir en réponse à cette priorité?
- Y a-t-il des questions auxquelles vous souhaiteriez obtenir des réponses au sujet de cette priorité?
- Pensez-vous que ce soit quelque chose qui aura un impact positif? Aura-t-elle un impact direct sur vous?
La majeure partie de la gestion directe des systèmes de santé relève des gouvernements provinciaux, même si une partie importante du financement de la santé se fait par le biais de transferts aux provinces de la part du gouvernement du Canada. Le gouvernement du Canada devrait-il être en mesure d’établir des priorités pour les sommes qu’il verse aux provinces ou les provinces devraient-elles pouvoir dépenser cet argent comme bon leur semble? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?
Si l’on reprend la liste des cinq priorités fédérales, que diriez-vous si le gouvernement du Canada précisait que l’argent qu’il verse aux provinces pour les soins de santé doit être consacré à ces domaines?
- Y a-t-il des priorités pour lesquelles vous voudriez que le gouvernement fédéral demande à ce que davantage de fonds leur soient consacrés?
- Parmi les priorités qui figurent sur cette liste, y en a-t-il qui devraient être à la discrétion des provinces, selon vous?

CONVOI (15 minutes) Utilisateurs actifs de médias sociaux de grandes villes de la Saskatchewan

Qu’avez-vous entendu au sujet des manifestations contre l’obligation vaccinale qui ont eu lieu dans différentes régions du pays en février 2022? (PRÉCISER AU BESOIN : le convoi de camionneurs)
- Quelqu’un a-t-il suivi ces manifestations? Où consultiez-vous les nouvelles au sujet des manifestations (médias sociaux, nouvelles à la télévision)?
- Quelle était la raison de ces manifestations?
- Est-ce un enjeu qui se poursuit, ou la question est-elle à peu près réglée? Pensez-vous que les manifestations pourraient reprendre?
Que pensez-vous de ces manifestations?
- Votre opinion au sujet du convoi a-t-elle changé à certains égards?
  - SI OUI : Qu’est-ce qui explique que vos opinions aient changé?
Quels impacts ont eu ces manifestations?
Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit par rapport à la réponse du Gouvernement du Canada?
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Avez-vous entendu parler de l’invocation de la Loi sur les mesures d’urgence par le gouvernement du Canada? Qu’avez-vous entendu? Que pensez-vous du recours à cette mesure?
À votre avis, quelle aurait dû être la réponse du gouvernement du Canada?

CONCLUSION (5-10 minutes)

Continuous Qualitative Data Collection of Canadians’ Views – March 2022

Final Report

Prepared for the Privy Council Office

Supplier name: The Strategic Counsel

Contract number: 35035-182346/001/CY

Contract value: $2,428,991.50

Award date: December 16, 2021

Delivery date: May 16, 2022

Registration number: POR-005-19

For more information on this report, please email por-rop@pco-bcp.ca

Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français.

Continuous Qualitative Data Collection of Canadians’ Views

Final Report

Prepared for the Privy Council Office

Supplier Name: The Strategic Counsel

March 2022

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre : Rapport final - Collecte continue de données qualitatives sur les opinions des canadiens – mars 2022.

This publication may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes only. Prior written permission must be obtained from the Privy Council Office. For more information on this report, please contact the Privy Council Office at: por-rop@pco-bcp.ca or at:

Privy Council OfficeBlackburn Building85 Sparks Street, Room 228Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3

Catalogue Number:

International Standard Book Number (ISBN):

Related publications (registration number: POR-005-19):

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2022

Political Neutrality Certification

Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate, or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leaders.

Signed: __________________________________

Donna Nixon, Partner The Strategic Counsel

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Introduction

As a note of caution when interpreting the results from this study, findings of qualitative research are directional in nature only and cannot be projected with any statistical accuracy or degree of confidence on to the overall population under study.

Methodology

Overview of Groups

Detailed Approach

Group Locations and Composition

Key Findings

Government of Canada in the News (All Locations)

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

News Sources and Preferences (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users)

Coastal GasLink (Northern British Columbia)

Prince Rupert Port Expansion (Northern British Columbia)

Ukraine (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Government of Canada Response (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Perspectives and Forecast (Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

COVID-19 Outlook (Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois- Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

COVID-19 Performance Evaluation (Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

COVID-19 Perspectives and Behaviours (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children (Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

COVID-19 Booster Dose (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12)

Budget 2022 (Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Six groups discussed the upcoming 2022 Budget, scheduled to be unveiled by the federal government on April 7th, 2022.

Net-Zero Oil (Ottawa, Newfoundland, Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Convoy Protests & Emergencies Act (Ottawa, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12, Rural Manitoba, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users)

Local Perspectives (Ottawa, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Participants from Ottawa as well as cities in close proximity to the Ontario-U.S. border engaged in further discussions regarding the Convoy protests, primarily focusing on their personal experiences and perspectives regarding these demonstrations.

Firearms (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors, Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Three groups discussed the issue of firearms in Canada, specifically focusing on the Government of Canada’s plan to prohibit the ownership of assault-style rifles as well as offering to buy-back firearms within these categories presently owned by Canadians.

Healthcare (Major Centres Saskatchewan Heavy Social Media Users, Greater Montreal Area Racialized Canadians)

Child Care (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Housing Affordability (Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

The topic of affordable housing was discussed in one group comprised of participants considered to be in a financially precarious situations, based on their responses to a series of questions at the time of recruiting. This group consisted of a mixture of homeowners and renters.

Seniors’ Issues (Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean Seniors)

The group comprising seniors from the Saguenay and Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec engaged in a brief discussion regarding issues specifically pertaining to seniors in Canada.

Youth Issues (Calgary Young Adults)

Reconciliation (Northern British Columbia)

Rabies (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Parents of Children under 12)

Local Issues (Ottawa, Newfoundland, Yukon, Rural Manitoba, Trois-Rivières Parents of Children under 12, Calgary Young Adults, Northern British Columbia, Halton and Peel Regions Financially Precarious)

Newfoundland

Privy Council Office
Blackburn Building
85 Sparks Street, Room 228
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A3

Donna Nixon, Partner
The Strategic Counsel

Six groups discussed the upcoming 2022 Budget, scheduled to be unveiled by the federal government on April 7^th, 2022.