LOCATION	GROUP	LANGUAGE	DATE	TIME (EST)	GROUP COMPOSITION	NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
City of Toronto	1	English	October 5	6:00-8:00 pm	General Population	8
Southern Alberta	2	English	October 6	8:00-10:00 pm	Agricultural Sector Workers	6
Quebec City	3	French	October 11	6:00-8:00 pm	Middle Class Canadians	7
Vancouver Island	4	English	October 12	9:00-11:00 pm	Experiencing Climate Anxiety	8
Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba	5	English	October 13	7:00-9:00 pm	Mental Healthcare Workers	5
Ontario-U.S. Border Cities	6	English	October 17	6:00-8:00 pm	Working Two Jobs	8
Bas-Saint-Laurent Region – Quebec	7	French	October 18	6:00-8:00 pm	General Population	7
Atlantic Canada	8	English	October 20	5:00-7:00 pm	Prospective Homebuyers	6
Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec	9	French	October 25	6:00-8:00 pm	Millennials, aged 25-40	7
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)	10	English	October 26	6:00-8:00 pm	First Responders	8
British Columbia Interior	11	English	October 26	9:00-11:00 pm	Low-Income Parents of Children under 12	7
Northwest Territories & Nunavut	12	English	October 27	8:00-10:00 pm	Concerned About Rising Cost of Energy	6
Total number of participants	83

Key Findings

Government of Canada in the News (City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants in eight groups were asked what they had seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada in recent days. A wide range of federal announcements and initiatives were recalled. Several mentioned issues related to the economy, including efforts by the federal government to address the high rate of inflation, including the recent decision by the Bank of Canada to increase its policy interest rate, as well as the announcement of additional supports for low-income Canadians to assist with the perceived high cost of living at present. Other items mentioned by participants included the federal government’s ongoing support for Ukraine, the lifting of remaining travel requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouragement from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer for Canadians to receive a booster dose of the recently approved bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, and the response to Hurricane Fiona which made landfall in Atlantic Canada on September 24^th, 2022. A few participants also mentioned hearing about investigations by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage into Hockey Canada and its handling of past sexual assault allegations, and inquiries by the Public Order Emergency Commission examining the federal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act in February 2022 as a response to the Convoy protests taking place in Ottawa and other parts of the country.

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (All Locations)

All groups conducted in October engaged in discussions related to the federal government’s handling of issues and priorities important to Canadians. These conversations focused on areas where the Government of Canada had been successful as well as those in which there was room for improvement.

Asked to identify areas where the Government of Canada had performed well in recent months, participants shared a range of responses. These included the introduction of measures to make life more affordable for Canadians, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, initiatives related to the environment and climate change, ensuring high safety standards of the goods and products consumed by Canadians, a prominent focus on social issues including the promotion of diversity throughout Canada, and ongoing assistance to Ukraine.

Prompted to consider areas where the federal government could improve upon its performance, participants provided a wide range of responses. Among the issues mentioned were inflation and the rising cost of living, healthcare accessibility, housing affordability, delays related to the provision of services to Canadians such as passport renewals and immigration applications, the need for greater domestic oil and gas production, further actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Direction of the Country (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Six groups briefly discussed the direction of the country at present. Most were of the view that the country was currently headed in the wrong direction, while a smaller number were more undecided or uncertain as to how they felt. For those who believed Canada was currently heading in the wrong direction, many cited issues related to inflation and the rising cost of living, including price increases for essentials such as groceries, gasoline, and housing. A number of participants also identified issues such as homelessness, mental health, addiction, and a sense that the country as a whole had become more divided in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A few expressed concerns about climate change as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which some worried might escalate further to the point that Canada would become directly involved in the fighting.

Among the participants who were more uncertain as to the direction they felt the country was headed, several expressed that while a number of actions had been taken by the federal government to address the economic and social challenges facing Canadians, this had only a minimal impact. Some believed that while there had been considerable progress made on social issues such as diversity and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the economic situation for many Canadians had worsened in recent months.

For the small number who thought Canada was headed in the right direction, participants cited the federal government’s efforts towards greater inclusiveness and its promotion of human rights in Canada and abroad. It was generally thought by these participants that while the country was facing a number of challenges, the Government of Canada had taken several actions to address these issues and was doing the best that it could.

Middle Class Canadians (Quebec City Middle Class Canadians)

Participants residing in Quebec City engaged in a brief discussion related to the issues currently impacting middle class Canadians. Focusing on their financial situation, several felt that it had been more difficult in recent years to make ends meet financially, with a number of participants citing increased household expenses related to groceries, energy costs, housing, and child care. Discussing ways in which the federal government could better support the middle class, several felt more could be done to make housing more affordable, with many commenting that even for those making middle-class salaries, the cost to purchase a home was becoming increasingly out of reach. Others felt that there should be a greater emphasis on increasing benefits and financial supports for middle-income Canadians. Participants were largely of the impression that most existing supports were primarily targeted towards lower-income Canadians, while those making higher incomes yet still struggling with the cost of living were provided with little in the way of assistance.

Asked whether they felt the federal government had been doing a better or worse job as of late when it came to supporting the middle class, most were of the view that its performance on this front had remained largely the same. It was felt that while some supports had been provided, especially during the pandemic through programs such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the impact of these benefits had largely been mitigated by the rapid rise in the cost of living over the past year. In addition to efforts to increase the affordability of housing and child care, participants also thought more should be done to strengthen the provincial/territorial healthcare systems throughout Canada as well as pursue further actions to combat climate change.

Environment and Climate Change (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety)

One group, comprised of those residing on Vancouver Island who identified as experiencing anxiety related to climate change, discussed issues concerning the environment, including recent initiatives from the federal government on this front. All felt that addressing climate change needed to be a top priority for the federal government, though many acknowledged that it would likely have to balance this with other pressing issues such as inflation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The view was added that extreme weather events, such as the intense flooding which took place in southwestern British Columbia in the fall of 2021, had made the need for further action on climate change increasingly evident, with some expecting that these types of events would take place more frequently going forward. Asked which aspects of climate change they were most concerned about, a number of participants mentioned food production, believing that greater efforts needed to be taken to develop more sustainable agricultural practices going forward.

Participants were able to recall several actions recently taken by the federal government related to climate change. These included the establishment of the Canada Greener Homes Grant (though not mentioned by name), commitments that all new automobile sales by 2035 be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and the implementation of a federal price on carbon. While aware of these actions, most were of the opinion that the Government of Canada had worsened in its handling of climate change and environmental issues as of late. It was felt that actions such as the introduction of a price on carbon, had placed too much of a financial burden on the individual and that not enough focus was being devoted to reducing the emissions of large businesses and corporations. For the smaller number who felt the Government of Canada was performing better in its handling of climate change in recent years, it was thought that the wide range of programs and initiatives recently implemented represented a step in the right direction, even if there had been few noticeable impacts thus far.

The Economy (City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Participants in nine groups discussed a number of issues related to the Canadian economy. Conversations included participant perspectives regarding recent affordability measures introduced by the federal government, job creation and the current employment market, and opinions on economic terminology and phrasing currently being developed by the Government of Canada.

Affordability Measures (City of Toronto, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Six groups engaged in conversations related to a number of recent measures announced by the Government of Canada to help make life more affordable for Canadians. These included a 10% increase to Old Age Security (OAS) payments for those 75 and older, initiatives towards early learning and child care, the indexing of benefits to the rate of inflation, the introduction of a national dental care program, a doubling of the GST tax credit for six months, enhancements to the Canada Workers Benefit, and a one-time $500 payment to assist low-income Canadians currently struggling to afford their rent.

Participants were mostly positive in their initial reactions, with several expecting that these measures would be helpful, especially for younger Canadians who may be struggling disproportionately with the high cost of living at present. Though viewing these actions as a step in the right direction, however, many thought that they did not go far enough and would be unsuccessful in addressing what they viewed as systemic affordability issues being felt by much of the country at present. It was believed that there needed to be a greater sense of urgency on the part of the Government of Canada towards making life more affordable for Canadians. The opinion was also added that more needed to be done for middle-income households who did not qualify for the assistance programs currently available to lower-income Canadians.

Asked to select which among these measures they felt were most important, a large number of participants selected those initiatives related to affordable child care and early learning, the introduction of a national dental care program, and the indexing of benefits to the rate of inflation Participants expressed a more moderate level of support for other initiatives including enhancements to the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), a six-month doubling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit, and a 10% increase to OAS payments for those 75 and older. Many were critical of the measure to provide low-income Canadians with a one-time $500 payment to assist with their rent. It was expressed by many that this amount was far too low to be impactful, with several of the opinion that given the vast affordability challenges faced by low-income Canadians, the $500 offered was somewhat insulting. The view was expressed by many that the funding allocated towards this initiative could be better spent elsewhere.

Discussing other actions that the Government of Canada could take to address the cost of living, a number of participants suggested the provision of tax relief in the form of temporary reductions on the amount of income tax paid by low and middle-income Canadians. Focusing on housing affordability more specifically, some also believed there needed to be an increased focus on initiatives to increase the housing supply in Canada as well as actions to prohibit corporations and businesses from purchasing residential housing properties. A number were also of the view that actions should be taken to stabilize the price of essential goods such as groceries and gasoline. A few suggested that the Government of Canada should focus on developing greater energy self-sufficiency through the increased production of domestic oil and gas reserves. It was believed that such action would help considerably towards making fuel prices more affordable for Canadians.

Jobs (City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs)

Five groups engaged in conversations related to the Canadian labour market as well as efforts by the Government of Canada to encourage job creation. Beginning by discussing the economy more broadly, all believed that the economy needed to be a top priority for the federal government, with many identifying it as the most important issue currently facing Canadians. It was widely felt that a strong economy served as the foundation for a well-functioning country and that the overall quality of life for Canadians was directly tied to their economic well-being. With this in mind, a number of participants shared concerns about what they viewed as a high likelihood of Canada entering into a recession within the next year. Asked what priorities specifically the Government of Canada should focus on going forward, several said that there needed to be a greater focus on economic self-sufficiency and less dependence on international trade, as well as an emphasis on reducing federal spending and maintaining a balanced budget.

Focusing on job creation more specifically, participants across all groups were widely of the impression that there were currently numerous jobs available in their respective communities and that many sectors were suffering from a shortage of workers rather than a lack of open positions. Many, however, qualified their comments, explaining that while a large number of jobs were available, these did not all necessarily offer sufficient compensation to provide workers with a living wage. Furthermore, it was said that in many cases these positions did not provide benefits and were often part-time or seasonal as opposed to providing full-time employment. It was thought by several that employers were currently not offering high enough wages and that as a result many Canadians were not incentivized to work. Discussing what actions, if any, should be taken by the federal government related to job creation, it was felt that a greater emphasis needed to be placed on creating well-paying jobs as well as those in which employees found personal fulfillment. It was believed that these were necessary components for long-term happiness and satisfaction among Canadian workers.

Economic Terminology (Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec)

Participants residing in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec shared their perspectives related to a range of economic terminology and messaging currently being developed by the federal government. To begin, participants were presented with a list of terms and asked whether they all conveyed the same message or if there were any differences between them. These included:

An economy which benefits all Canadians;

An economy focused on the welfare of Canadians;

An economy that is working for all Canadians;

An economy that delivers for all Canadians;

An economy that is doing the job for all Canadians;

An economy which provides results for all Canadians; and

An economy which includes all Canadians.

While most felt the terms to be quite similar, many believed there to be minor differences among them. Asked to select the phrase that they most preferred, many identified an economy which focuses on the welfare of all Canadians. Several reacted positively to the incorporation of the concept of welfare into the messaging, believing this spoke to a more holistic quality of life that involved both economic and personal considerations. A smaller number indicated support for other terms such as an economy which benefits all Canadians and an economy that is working for all Canadians.

Engaging in an additional exercise, participants were shown a pair of statements related to the economy and asked to select which of them they preferred:

We continue our work so that all Canadians can benefit from the economy; and

We continue our work so that all Canadians can be at the centre.

While more participants preferred the second of the two terms, several expressed reservations about both statements. In particular, a number viewed the aspect of continuing our work as an implication that the status quo would be maintained, and that little change would be made in how the Canadian economy operates. It was largely felt both statements could be improved by the inclusion of a more all-encompassing focus on improving the standard of living for Canadians and a greater focus on innovation and developing new economic strategies.

Tourism (City of Toronto, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials)

Participants in five groups engaged in conversations related to tourism and the level of importance of this sector to their respective local economies. Regionally, almost all participants in the groups from the City of Toronto, Atlantic Canada, and both groups based in Quebec viewed tourism as very important to their communities while those in the group comprised of participants residing in cities near the Ontario-U.S. border were more mixed in their views. Questioned whether they had noticed any noticeable change in tourism in their region during the summer, all in the group based in Toronto felt there had been a noticeable uptick in the number of tourists visiting the city compared to recent years. Those residing in mid-size and major centres in Quebec also largely felt tourism had increased, particularly in larger cities such as Montreal. Comparatively, participants in the groups from the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec and Atlantic Canada were more varied in their opinions as to whether tourism had increased. While some felt there had been more tourists this summer compared to the previous year, a number of participants believed the number of visitors had fallen short of expectations, especially given the loosening of public health and travel requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was speculated by some that increased transportation costs and rising inflation had played a role in the number of tourists not being as high as they expected. Few in the group based in Ontario/U.S. border cities felt tourism had increased over the past summer.

Almost all participants believed that the service industry, including the tourism sector, was currently facing a labour shortage. Describing why they felt this had occurred, a large number cited perceived low compensation, stressful working environments, and the seasonal nature of many tourism-related jobs as key potential factors. It was widely felt that employers needed to do more to attract employees to these positions, including taking actions such as increasing wages and providing full-time hours and benefits to their workers. Discussing actions the Government of Canada could take to address labour shortages, several suggested the creation of financial supports such as wage subsidies or targeted tax relief to assist employers with raising salaries. This was felt to be especially important for smaller businesses which may find raising wages difficult due to the high rate of inflation at present. It was also thought that more could be done to bring in workers from outside of Canada, including expediting the foreign credential recognition process for vital tourism-related sectors such as air travel which was viewed as currently facing staffing shortages.

Internet Connectivity (City of Toronto, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials)

Participants in four groups discussed Internet connectivity in their respective regions. Asked how they would rate the quality and reliability of Internet service in their communities, participants were mixed in their responses. While most in the groups based in Toronto as well as mid-size and major centres in Quebec viewed their Internet as typically being of a high calibre and consistently reliable, those residing in Atlantic Canada and the Bas-Saint-Laurent region were more critical. For these participants, it was felt that Internet service was somewhat inconsistent in their region, especially for those living more rurally and away from urban centres.

Almost all participants felt there to be a lack of options for Internet providers in their respective areas and believed this lack of competition in the sector placed customers at a disadvantage, especially in areas where only one or two providers were available. While all participants felt that cost was an important consideration when it came to the Internet provider they selected, many also mentioned reliability and speed as heavily factoring into their decision-making process. A number indicated that they would be willing to pay more for Internet that was guaranteed to be fast and reliable. This said, very few felt that the Internet in their area was fairly priced, with many expressing the view that Canadians in general often paid far more for these services relative to those living in other jurisdictions. This was thought to be the case both in terms of home Internet services as well as those provided through mobile data plans. All felt the Government of Canada should be doing more to ensure that all Canadians had access to affordable and reliable Internet services. It was strongly believed that high-speed Internet was a necessity for Canadians to be able to work, study, and communicate effectively and needed to be viewed as a basic right going forward.

Oil and Gas (Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec)

Participants in four groups engaged in conversations related to the oil and gas sector in Canada, focusing specifically on the issue of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by oil and gas companies. Asked whether they supported the Government of Canada taking action to cap and reduce emissions from the oil and gas sector, a number of different viewpoints emerged among participants. Those in the two groups based in Quebec were largely in favour of these actions, believing they were likely necessary to fight climate change and promote greater sustainability going forward. Participants in the group based on Vancouver Island were more varied in their opinions. While most believed that the goal of reducing emissions was an important one, several were concerned that the financial costs of adhering to these measures would be passed on by oil and gas companies to the consumer. Few of those residing in Southern Alberta were supportive of these actions by the Government of Canada. Though most participants in this group believed that addressing climate change was an important priority, several were skeptical as to whether these actions would have any impact given what they viewed as the high levels of emissions continuing to be produced in larger jurisdictions such as China and India.

Almost all participants expected that these actions as well as any further regulation of the oil and gas sector would likely contribute to a rise in the price of gasoline, with many reiterating the view that any additional costs incurred by oil and gas companies would ultimately be passed on to the consumer. Several were of the impression that high fuel prices would likely become the norm going forward and did not anticipate that they would be reduced at any point in the near future. Asked whether they felt the ongoing crisis in Ukraine should impact the Government of Canada’s decision to cap and regulate oil and gas emissions, participants were once again mixed in their views. A number believed the situation in Eastern Europe would likely not have any impact on the Canadian oil and gas supply and should not influence the Government of Canada’s actions related to this sector. Several others, however, thought that it would be prudent for the Government of Canada to consider increasing its oil and gas production, believing that European allies may be in dire need of Canadian energy resources during the winter months and that this represented an opportunity for Canada both from an economic as well as a humanitarian perspective.

Healthcare (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Two groups, comprised of mental healthcare workers residing in Manitoba and first responders from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) respectively, engaged in discussions related to healthcare. These conversations focused on healthcare priority areas recently identified by the Government of Canada as well as perspectives related to mental health from those working in the healthcare field.

Almost all participants identified healthcare as a significant concern in their communities. A large number believed that the healthcare system as a whole was facing major challenges at present and that the sector required significant overhaul. While most participants felt the quality of healthcare workers and services in Canada to be among the best in the world, it was thought by several that there were significant problems related to the accessibility of these services. Asked to identify specific challenges related to healthcare, participants pointed to issues such as a lack of family doctors, limited access to specialists, long wait times at emergency rooms and walk-in clinics, and a growing prevalence of issues related to mental health and addiction.

Healthcare Priority Areas (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Asked if they were aware of any recent actions or announcements by the Government of Canada related to healthcare, few participants could recall any initiatives apart from the recent announcement of a national dental care program. To aid in conversation, participants were informed that the federal government had recently identified five priority areas related to healthcare. These included addressing health care worker shortages and 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. Participants were largely positive in their reactions to this list, with many believing it did a strong job at addressing the most pressing healthcare issues facing Canadians, particularly those related to accessibility. Asked whether any of these priorities were of greater importance than the rest, it was generally thought that all were important and worth pursuing by the federal government.

Participants in the group based in Manitoba engaged in a slightly longer conversation, sharing their expectations related to these priorities as well as specific actions they believed the Government of Canada would take towards addressing them. Discussing the priority of addressing healthcare worker shortages and reducing wait times, many felt there would need to be greater funding allocated towards increasing worker salaries and encouraging healthcare professionals to continue practicing in Canada rather than relocating to other jurisdictions such as the United States in pursuit of higher salaries. It was also suggested that more should be done to encourage younger Canadians to consider careers in the healthcare sector, including offering incentives to do so via study grants and/or assistance with course fees for the licensing and certification required to practice in Canada.

Focusing on increasing access to family healthcare services, in addition to recruiting more family doctors, a number of participants believed the Government of Canada should focus on promoting a more proactive approach to medicine. The view was expressed that many chronic injuries or illnesses often began as minor issues and that by providing more Canadians with access to primary care through family doctors, these issues would be able to be addressed before they had a chance to escalate further. It was felt this could take strain off the healthcare system in the long term as there would likely be fewer patients with chronic issues requiring ongoing treatment.

All participants felt improving long-term care (LTC) and home care to be an important priority for the federal government. In addition to addressing worker shortages, it was suggested that the Government of Canada could work to establish a national standard of care and implement regulations on all private LTC facilities ensuring they adhered to this standard

Several identified a lack of resources as the most pressing issue concerning mental health and addiction at present and believed far more federal funding needed to be devoted to this area. It was suggested that rather than solely focusing on creating new programs to address this priority, the federal government should also expand its support for those treatment providers and facilities that were already in existence.

A number of participants were of the impression that actions were already being taken by some healthcare providers to digitize medical records and believed this trend would continue to increase going forward. While expecting this would make healthcare provision more efficient, some expressed concern about transitioning to a primarily digital model, believing it would be vulnerable to both data theft as well as potential Internet service interruptions. Several spoke positively of the potential of virtual care, believing It could have a sizeable impact on those living in rural areas or in remote communities who did not live in close proximity to a physician.

Mental Health (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Participants in both groups engaged in conversations related to mental health care in Canada. Those in the group comprised of mental health professionals residing in Manitoba shared their personal experiences working in the field as well as their impressions regarding recent initiatives related to mental health announced by the federal government. Participants in the group composed of first responders residing in the GTHA region took part in a slightly different discussion, focusing on their personal mental health, the strategies they used to cope with these challenges, and the mental health of first responders more generally.

Mental Health Initiatives (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers)

Asked what they felt to be the most pressing challenges related to mental health in their respective communities, the group of mental healthcare workers based in Manitoba shared a range of concerns. These included the accessibility of mental health services, an increased prevalence of substance use and addiction among those suffering from mental health issues, and perceived stigma faced by those who seek treatment for these issues.

All in this group believed that the Government of Canada had a role to play in improving mental healthcare. In addition to increasing funding for provinces and territories to address these issues, it was also suggested by some that more could be done to develop a national standard for mental healthcare. It was felt that by doing so, the federal government could hold the provinces and territories to greater account, ensuring that all Canadians had access to the mental health treatment they required.

Asked if they had heard anything about the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) initiative, none had. Provided with information regarding this initiative, several believed it would be very helpful, especially for those currently without the means to access mental health care. While expecting the WTC platform would have a positive effect, a few participants were concerned that this may be used as a replacement for, rather than a companion to, one-to-one counselling. Speaking to their own experience as mental health professionals, these participants were of the opinion that no app or digital platform would be able to establish the same level of trust and candidness that one develops through an ongoing relationship with a therapist or counsellor.

Participants were next presented with information related to Talk Suicide Canada, an additional mental health initiative being implemented by the federal government. Almost all participants identified this as very promising and believed that could have life-saving implications for those suffering from mental health crises. It was expressed that having a three-digit number, akin to 911, that participants could call during mental health emergencies to receive immediate care would be an important step towards preventing serious outcomes such as overdoses and suicides.

The group were next presented with information related to a third initiative, this time focused on the creation of a national service standard for mental healthcare in Canada: While most participants believed this was an important step for the Government of Canada to take, many felt it was difficult to properly evaluate this initiative without a better understanding of what a national standard would entail and what steps would be taken to implement it. Some were also of the view that while it was important to establish a consistent level of care, mental health treatment would still need to be highly personalized to the individual and a one-size-fits-all approach would likely not work for everyone.

Mental Health Perspectives (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Participants in the group comprised of first responders from the GTHA took part in a conversation regarding the mental health of those working in their profession. All felt that first responders had faced considerable pressure and emotional strain during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the mental health of many in the profession had suffered as a result. Describing the supports available to them, many commented that there were now significantly more resources for first responders to turn to (and less stigma for doing so) compared to previous eras. Despite this, however, it was widely felt that these were not enough to address the magnitude of the challenges currently facing those in their line of work.

Asked to identify the signs or symptoms that someone in their profession suffering from mental health challenges might present, participants mentioned actions such as withdrawing from colleagues and loved ones, a lack of interest in their work, changes in personality and/or attitude, and self-medication with alcohol and other substances. Discussing where they would turn to if they were facing mental health issues themselves, many indicated that they were already utilizing therapists and counsellors to talk through the issues they were facing. A number also mentioned that they would likely turn to trusted colleagues or supervisors who would have a more intimate understanding of the lived experiences of first responders and what they were going through.

No participants identified the Government of Canada as a place they would turn to when facing challenges related to their mental health. Asked if they were aware of the Wellness Together Canada program, while a few were familiar with the name, no participants could recall any details. Few participants indicated that they would be likely to seek out information and tips related to mental health online, with most expressing a preference to instead speak with loved ones, colleagues, and/or mental health professionals who would have a better understanding of them as individuals.

Housing (Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Two groups discussed matters related to housing in Canada. Those in the group based in Atlantic Canada comprised of prospective homebuyers shared their perspectives regarding a number of housing initiatives recently announced by the federal government while the group based in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut discussed a number of housing issues specific to Canada’s North.

Housing Initiatives (Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers)

This group, comprised of prospective homebuyers, engaged in a discussion regarding a number of initiatives related to housing recently announced as part of the 2022 federal Budget. A large number were pessimistic about their current prospects for home ownership, believing they would likely struggle to afford to purchase a home in the foreseeable future due to challenges such as high housing prices, recent increases in interest rates by the Bank of Canada, and additional expenses in other areas such as groceries and gasoline.

Participants next engaged in an exercise where they were asked to evaluate sets of initiatives recently announced by the Government of Canada, related respectively to improving housing affordability and protecting Canadians in the housing market. No participants indicated being previously aware of any initiatives from the federal government on these fronts. Sharing their reactions to the first set of initiatives, related to housing affordability, participants were particularly supportive of those initiatives targeted at assisting first-time home buyers, such as the creation of a Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) allowing prospective first-time homebuyers to save up to $40,000 tax-free to put towards their purchase. It was believed that this would incentivize individuals to save more money for their homes. Other initiatives targeting first-time home buyers, including the commitment to double the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC), and the expansion of the First Time Home Buyers’ Incentive were also met with enthusiasm.

The allocation of an additional $200 million towards increasing rent-to-own housing options also received a large amount of support among participants. Though it was thought that rent-to-own housing options would be beneficial to many Canadians, several were of the impression that they were difficult to obtain in the current housing market. A smaller number were supportive of the investment of $562 million towards organizations addressing homelessness, as well as an additional $62 million specifically addressing this issue among veterans. Among those who identified this initiative as important, it was thought that homelessness in Canada was becoming an issue of increasing urgency and required greater action on the part of the federal government to address. None were supportive of the provision of a one-time $500 payment to Canadians facing housing affordability challenges. Many reacted negatively upon hearing about this initiative, expressing the opinion that the amount was too low to provide any tangible assistance to Canadians struggling with housing affordability.

Participants next concentrated on a second set of initiatives focused on protecting Canadians in the housing market. Among the measures shown, the initiative to impose taxation penalties as a method of deterring landlords from renovicting existing tenants received the highest levels of support from participants. The commitment to end blind bidding also received high levels of support among participants. It was believed that this practice considerably increased the sale price of homes, placing potential homebuyers at a considerable disadvantage.

Two initiatives receiving moderate levels of support were the introduction of new taxation rules to deter house flipping as well as the implementation of a two-year ban on all non-Canadians from purchasing residential properties. Discussing the new taxation rules to deter house flipping, it was believed that those engaged in this practice often performed poor-quality renovations while driving up the prices of these properties as much as possible. Focusing on the temporary ban on non-Canadians from purchasing residential properties, a number believed this to be necessary, feeling that foreign investment had limited the housing available for those living in the country.

Northern Housing (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants in the group from the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut engaged in a brief conversation related to the housing situation in Canada’s North. Discussing the housing situation in their communities, participants identified three key areas in need of further attention. These included the supply of housing, the quality and safety of the housing that was available, and the increasing unaffordability of housing in the North.

Participants were next asked to identify which level of government they believed was responsible for housing in the North. While participants widely believed that the territorial governments were primarily responsible for housing, it was also felt the Government of Canada had a role to play on this front. It was thought that additional actions could be taken to provide increased grants and funding to the territorial governments in order to increase the housing supply and the condition of housing. It was also suggested by some that municipal governments played a role in the planning of housing development. It was said by some that this at times had a negative impact, with perceived high levels of bureaucracy at the municipal level impeding the construction of new homes. Most were largely unaware of any recent initiatives undertaken by the federal government to address housing issues in their communities. Asked how the Government of Canada could most effectively assist in improving the housing situation, many reiterated the view that increased funding toward housing would likely have the greatest impact.

Climate Change (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Two groups discussed a number of issues related to climate change. Those in the group based on Vancouver Island who identified as experiencing anxiety about climate change discussed a number of measures recently announced by the Government of Canada to address this issue. Participants residing in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut focused on the impacts they expected a changing climate would have on their local communities as well as what actions, if any, they had taken to prepare for climate change.

Climate Change Initiatives (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety)

To begin, participants in this group were asked to share their initial reactions upon hearing the phrase ‘climate change’. Most largely expressed feelings of concern and pessimism, particularly regarding their expectations as to how this issue would impact future generations. A number of participants indicated that they were feeling less hopeful for the future due to their concerns about climate change.

Presented with information regarding a number of measures that the Government of Canada had recently implemented or was planning to put into place in the future to address the threat of climate change many expressed skepticism as to whether these actions would be achievable. A number of participants specifically questioned whether it was realistically possible to meet those measures which had fast-approaching deadlines, such as the 2030 targets related to Canada’s commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement as well as the priorities put forward in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

Prompted to indicate which among these initiatives they felt were most important towards addressing the threat of climate change, almost all participants identified the Natural Adaptation Strategy as a particularly promising measure. Several commented upon what they viewed as a community-based approach to this initiative, believing that Canadians would likely be more willing to participate in sustainability programs that would directly impact their local communities and from which they could observe the potential benefits first-hand. Many also reacted positively to the creation of the Low Carbon Energy Fund (LCEF), focusing specifically on its goal of fostering innovative thinking as well as its incorporation of a diversity of voices and ideas in the effort to fight climate change. Several participants were also optimistic about the creation of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan as well as the federal government’s commitment to meeting or exceeding the emissions reduction targets Paris Agreement by 2030. Regarding the latter, a number reiterated the view that combatting climate change needed to be a global effort and that it was important for Canada to be a leader on this front.

Asked whether they felt the Government of Canada was taking sufficient steps to fight climate change, most did not believe this to be the case. A number felt greater efforts would have to be taken to limit the industrial activities of large corporations, believing these to be the primary drivers of GHG emissions. It was also thought that more could be done within the federal government to ensure its various agencies and departments worked collaboratively on this issue rather than each pursuing its own individual activities to fight climate change.

Community Impacts and Adaptation (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants in this group engaged in a discussion about the impact of climate change on their communities, as well as the actions they had taken or were planning to take to adapt to its impacts. To begin, participants were asked to gauge the current impact of climate change on their respective areas. Though all felt that climate change was having some impact on their communities, a roughly similar number of participants felt these impacts to be minor as those who believed it had brought on major changes. Some cited extreme weather events and unpredictable weather as examples of the impact of climate change on the daily lives of those in their region, with a number specifically mentioning the severe flooding that had occurred in Hay River, NT in April 2022. Discussing potential future impacts of climate change, several expressed concerns related to the melting or collapse of the region’s permafrost. If this occurred, it was expected by participants that the structural integrity of many homes in their communities would be damaged.

Focusing on their personal level of preparedness for the impacts of climate change, no participants believed that they had sufficiently prepared to confront this issue. Many were uncertain as to how they should personally prepare for climate change and voiced the need for greater communication from both local officials as well as the Government of Canada as to what steps they ought to be taking. Few could recall any recent initiatives implemented by the federal government towards mitigating the impacts of climate change in their areas. Suggestions for additional actions that could be taken included the development of climate change adaptation and readiness plan for Canada’s North as well as further information regarding what those living in the region should expect in the years to come and how to best prepare their individual households.

Agriculture and Fertilizer (Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers)

Participants residing in Southern Alberta and employed in the agricultural sector engaged in a conversation related to agriculture and the use of fertilizer on Canadian farms. To begin, participants were asked if they were aware of any recent activities undertaken by the Government of Canada related to the agricultural sector. Participants recalled a number of federal initiatives, including subsidies to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture, the implementation of cover cropping programs, and commitments related to the On-Farm Climate Action Fund.

Several participants expressed dissatisfaction with the Government of Canada’s plan to encourage farmers to voluntarily reduce their fertilizer emissions by 2030. Reasons for this lack of support included the view that the targets were unrealistic given the need to maintain or even increase the current levels of crop yields and food production for Canada’s growing population. Though all participants were aware that the plan to reduce emissions from fertilizers was voluntary, concerns were expressed that the targets could become mandatory in the future if the federal government felt that too little progress was being made. Participants shared that the cost of fertilizer was one of the highest expenses for their farms and that for financial reasons they already did as much as they could to reduce their use of the product.

Asked whether they believed fertilizer usage on Canadian farms had increased or decreased over the past 15 years, most were of the view that it had gone down during this period as farmers developed more efficient usage practices. This reduction was felt to be especially prominent in recent years as a result of rising costs and supply limitations. Asked whether they believed increased fertilizer use was resulting in higher greenhouse gas emissions, many acknowledged that it was likely a contributing factor. Participants also believed, however, that emissions from other industries as well as household energy use should be targeted for reductions before fertilizer, given what was believed to be its fundamental importance to Canada’s food supply.

It was widely felt that the federal government needed to provide further information on how it planned to balance reductions in fertilizer use while continuing to maintain or increasing current levels of food production. Some expressed concerns that low and middle-income Canadians may be negatively impacted by this plan, anticipating that a reduction in fertilizer use may result in food shortages and higher grocery prices.

Energy Issues (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants residing in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut who identified as being concerned about rising energy costs engaged in a discussion related to energy issues in their communities. Asked to identify the sources of energy they used for electricity generation most identified petroleum, specifically diesel, as the primary source for electricity in both territories. Some participants from the NT added that their communities also frequently made use of other energy sources such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydroelectricity. Discussing the energy sources used to heat their homes many again mentioned diesel and natural gas, in addition to wood and heating pellets. While acknowledging concerns about the potential environmental impacts of sources such as diesel and LNG it was believed by most that these energy sources were generally reliable and had been capable of meeting the challenges presented by the cold climate and remoteness of many Northern communities.

Focusing on nuclear energy, many expressed a lack of knowledge regarding this type of power. Upon hearing the term and considering its use in the North, several immediately called to mind concerns related to the potential of a nuclear accident occurring in or near their community that could potentially release nuclear radiation and cause radioactive contamination of the environment. Asked if the federal government should seek to increase the use of nuclear energy in Canada, none felt comfortable with this notion and many reiterated concerns related to the potential contamination of the environment and the possible impact of radiation on those in their community. A small number also expected that there might be prohibitive initial costs to constructing a nuclear power plant in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, given the relative remoteness of these locations to the rest of Canada.

Very few indicated being previously aware of small modular reactors (SMRs). To aid in the discussion, participants were informed that these were advanced nuclear reactors that are more compact and have about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. Upon hearing this information, participants were mostly positive in their reactions. It was thought by many that SMRs represented a compact, safe, and reliable source of power that could meet the needs of people living in Canada’s North. A large number believed that SMRs could serve as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to the diesel and LNG that were currently being used. It was also expressed by some that the thought of an SMR was less intimidating than a full-sized reactor. While several felt that the description of SMRs sounded promising, a number of participants commented that they would like to see an SMR in person and learn more about how it functioned before fully supporting the adoption of this technology in their communities.

Firearms (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Participants in the group from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) engaged in a discussion about local issues affecting their community, with a particular focus on firearms and firearm-related crime. Asked to identify the most important issues currently affecting their community participants offered a wide range of responses. These included the increasing cost of living, a lack of affordable housing, challenges related to the accessibility of healthcare and services for seniors, a lack of support for those experiencing challenges related to addiction and/or mental health and increasing rates of violent crime and firearms usage. Asked to evaluate the Government of Canada’s response to these issues, many believed that while it was aware of these issues and working to address them, the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly complicated these efforts by consuming the majority of the federal government’s attention over the past few years.

Many felt that safety was becoming an issue of considerable concern in their communities. A rise in violent crime was believed to be an issue in all areas of the GTHA, including suburban and smaller communities outside of urban centres which had traditionally seen only minimal criminal activity. Several believed that their communities were far more dangerous now than compared to previous decades. Asked about the level of gun violence in their own communities, many felt that it was increasing. Focusing on the potential causes of gun crime, participants identified a wide range of potential factors. Several believed that the ability of law enforcement to stop gun crime had been impeded by instructions to take a more hands-off approach in recent years, including no longer conducting physical checks of those suspected of illegally possessing firearms. It was believed by some that so-called catch-and-release policies had allowed repeat offenders to commit gun crimes with relative impunity. Poverty, gang activity, homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues were also cited as contributing factors for firearm-related crimes.

Asked if they were aware of anything the Government of Canada had done to address gun crime, several cited various past initiatives, such as the Canadian Firearms Registry, a ban on military-style assault weapons, and a recent national freeze on the purchase, sale, or transfer of handguns. It was believed by many, however, that those impacted by these measures had primarily been law-abiding gun owners and that these actions had little impact on deterring those who obtained their firearms illegally. Expanding upon this, several were of the view that the majority of the firearms used to commit crimes in Canada were illegally smuggled from the United States and that eliminating this firearm trafficking needed to be a key focus of the federal government’s policy towards gun control.

Participants next took part in an exercise evaluating a number of measures recently implemented by the Government of Canada related to firearms. These included the implementation of a national freeze on handguns, taking away firearms licences of those involved in acts of domestic violence or criminal harassment, fighting gun smuggling and trafficking, introducing a red flag law to address intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and potential self-harm, and requiring magazines for long guns to no longer be able to carry more than five rounds.

Discussing the national freeze on handguns, all participants expressed negative views. The view was reiterated that the vast majority of crime involving handguns in Canada was carried out via illegally sourced handguns and that this measure would have little impact in addressing the problem of gun violence. Focusing on the seizure of firearm licenses from the perpetrators of domestic violence or criminal incidents, many also expressed concerns. While several felt that the measure was well-intentioned, it was widely thought that an individual determined to commit domestic violence with a firearm would be able to find a way to source a weapon through illegal means if necessary and that this action would also only have a minimal impact. Discussing the implementation of a red flag law, participants offered mixed reactions. Though its efforts to prevent violence were supported, participants again stressed their perception that illegal firearms were easy to access and suggested that these laws could be easily circumvented.

Asked to evaluate the initiative related to the prevention of gun smuggling and trafficking, many felt that it sounded promising and would help address the prevalence of illegal firearms in Canada. It was believed by some that in order to enforce this initiative effectively, law enforcement officers would need to be provided with the ability to conduct searches on suspected criminals in a more comprehensive manner than what is currently permitted. Focusing on the ban on long-gun magazines with a capacity of greater than five rounds, participants expressed mostly negative views. It was believed that long guns were not typically used by criminals and this action would have little impact towards preventing gun crime.

Child Care and the Canada Child Benefit (Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Participants residing in Interior British Columbia (B.C.), who were parents of children under the age of 12, engaged in a discussion related to child care and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Asked to identify the biggest challenges concerning child care in their province, participants offered a wide range of responses. Issues mentioned included a lack of availability of child care spots, the high costs of these services, the need to have significant trust in child care providers, and accessibility concerns for children with intellectual disabilities. Asked if they were aware of any Government of Canada actions related to child care, a small number indicated awareness of recent agreements reached by the federal government and individual provinces and territories to provide affordable child care at a rate of $10 a day, on average, per child. Provided with further information regarding these agreements, participant reactions were largely positive. It was expected that this plan would provide families with increased flexibility and allow both parents to work full-time. Several commented that they currently did not work due to the current high costs of child care, and that this initiative could be helpful in allowing them to return to the workplace. Asked if lowering the cost of child care was an important aspect of reducing the cost of living, all believed that it was.

Focusing on services and programs for parents more broadly, many identified the CCB as an important support for parents, and almost all indicated that they currently received it. Asked what they liked about the CCB, participants expressed enthusiasm about the consistency of payment, the fact that the benefit was recalculated each year to account for changes in income, and the assistance it provided in covering basic expenses. Discussing what they disliked about the CCB, participants pointed to the declining amount of the payment as their children grew older. The opinion was expressed that children only became more expensive to raise as they aged and that the benefit should increase in correspondence with their age, rather than decreasing. While several expressed appreciation for this benefit, participants generally felt that the amount they received was too little to have any significant impact on the cost of living, especially given the current level of inflation. Asked where they typically directed the amounts they received from the CCB, participants mentioned using it for basic expenses, including rent, monthly bills, gasoline, school supplies, youth recreation programs, and contributions to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs).

ArriveCAN (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs)

Participants residing in Ontario-U.S. border cities briefly engaged in a discussion regarding the ArriveCAN app. Asked about their awareness of this app, while many were aware of the existence of a mobile travel information app that had been developed by the Government of Canada, few could recall it specifically by name. A number of participants shared that they had yet to use the ArriveCAN app and mostly were aware of it through what they had heard in the news or word of mouth from friends and family.

Provided with further information about the app, participants were next asked to evaluate whether its name accurately represented the purpose for which the app was used. Most believed ArriveCAN to be an appropriate name for the app and thought that it accurately and succinctly described its use to travellers. It was also expected by some that the name ArriveCAN was distinctive enough to avoid confusion with other travel-related programs facilitated by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), such as NEXUS.

When asked if they would personally use the ArriveCAN app to complete and submit CBSA declaration forms the next time they returned to Canada from international travel, all participants expected that they would not. The primary reason shared by many was that they were simply not interested in the ArriveCAN and did not feel they travelled frequently enough to justify downloading and keeping it on their phone, given the limited space available on their devices. When asked, however, if their view might change if presented with evidence that using ArriveCAN would help them save time at the airport or going through customs, almost all believed that this to be an important consideration and would make them far more likely to use the app.

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 October Announcements

To help place the focus group discussions within the context of key events which occurred during the month, below is a brief synopsis for the month of October 2022.

October 1-7
- October 1. The Government of Canada approved Requests for Federal Assistance from the Governments of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Support will be provided by Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Coast Guard, and Transport Canada following the damage caused across Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec by Hurricane Fiona.
- Focus groups were held with the general population in the City of Toronto (October 5) and agricultural sector workers in Southern Alberta (October 6).
- October 3. The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced new the imposition of new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations in response to Iran’s human rights violations and systematic persecution of women.
- October 3. The Government of Canada announced $25.6 million in an investment toward four Alberta municipalities, provided by the Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative to support the implementation of new home energy retrofit financing programs in these communities.
- October 4. The Government of Canada announced a $1.2 million investment for the Canadian Association for Long Term Care (CALTC) to work in collaboration with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) to customize and adapt The Working Mind program for managers, supervisors, and frontline employees in LTC homes.
- October 6. The Government of Canada and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) announced $11 million in funding to help strengthen the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.
- October 6. The Government of Canada invested $3.1 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic measures on children and youth in Canada.
- October 7. Health Canada authorized a second bivalent COVID-19 vaccine which targets the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants and is authorized for use as a booster dose in those aged 12 and older.
- October 7. The Government of Canada announced $3 million in funding to Kids Help Phone to support the mental wellness of young people from Indigenous, Black, newcomer and underserved communities across Canada, including those in rural and remote regions.
- October 7. The Government of Canada announced the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, a plan which includes programs, policies and investments that aim to improve the lives of those living with disabilities in Canada.
October 8-15
- October 11. The Government of Canada announced $1,575,000 in repayable financial contributions for seven Quebec-region businesses in a variety of sectors.
- Focus group was held with middle-class Canadians in Quebec City (October 11) and those experiencing climate anxiety on Vancouver Island (October 12).
- October 13. The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the imposition of additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, which target 17 individuals and 3 entities that have participated in or enabled gross human rights violations, and perpetuated disinformation activities related to the Iranian regime’s repression and persecution of the Iranian people.
- October 13. The Government of Canada announced a $3.7-million investment to Clean Foundation for the Clean Energy and Equity Network, which will aim to support Indigenous and African Nova Scotian partners in several initiatives within the green economy.
- Focus group was held with mental healthcare workers in mid-size and major centres in Manitoba (October 13).
- October 14. The Government of Canada announced a non-repayable contribution of $150,000 for AgroBoréal from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) to stimulate competitiveness among agri-food small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec.
- October 14. The Government of Canada announced approximately $1.2 million through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) to support tourism and enhance visitor experiences in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia.
October 16-22
- October 17. The Government of Canada announced more than $6.9 million in immediate and ongoing funding to support Ka Ni Kanichihk and Velma’s House, in addition to $1.53 million for Indigenous Women’s organizations in Manitoba.
- Focus groups were held with those working two jobs in Ontario-U.S. border cities (October 17) and the general population in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region in Quebec (October 18).
- October 18. The Government of Canada announced almost $2 million in funding over four years to support projects by Carleton University and MediaSmarts to support the mental and physical well-being of those experiencing, or who may be at risk of experiencing, family, and gender-based violence.
- October 18. Bill C-30, the Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1 (Targeted Tax Relief), received Royal Assent, doubling the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit for six months. As such, Canadians without children will receive up to an extra $234, couples with two children will receive up to an extra $467 in 2022, and seniors will receive an average of $225 extra.
- October 18. The Government of Canada announced FedNor investments of over $8.1 million to support, sustain, and grow small businesses across Northern Ontario.
- October 19. The Government of Canada announced over $3.5 million in funding over four years to support four initiatives to prevent and address family violence in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- Focus group was held with prospective homebuyers in Atlantic Canada (October 20).
- October 20. The Government of Canada announced an investment of up to $3.7 billion over 20 years to support provide operational clothing and footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
October 23-31
- October 24. The Government of Canada announced $10 million in funding to Science World for building upgrades and new exhibits through the Tourism Relief Fund.
- October 25. The Government of Canada announced FedNor investments of over $5.7 million for 13 community and business growth initiatives in the Parry Sound and Muskoka regions in Ontario.
- Focus group was held with millennials, aged 25-40, in mid-size and major centres in Quebec (October 25).
- October 26. The Governments of Canada and Ontario announced over $56 million in funding to provide high-speed Internet access to over 16,000 rural homes in eastern Ontario.
- October 26. The Government of Canada announced $30 million in federal funding from Budget 2022 to support the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network.
- Focus groups were held with first responders in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) (October 26), low-income parents of children under 12 in the British Columbia Interior (October 26), and those concerned about the rising cost of energy in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (October 27).
- October 31. The Government of Canada announced the imposition of additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, the fourth package of sanctions imposed by Canada against the Iranian regime as a result of its ongoing human rights violations.

Government of Canada in the News (City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants in eight groups were asked what they had seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada in recent days. A wide range of federal announcements and initiatives were recalled, including:

Efforts by the federal government to address the high rate of inflation at present, including the recent decision by the Bank of Canada on October 26^th, 2022, to increase its policy interest rate by an additional 0.50%. A few participants expressed the opinion that increased inflation had resulted in part from higher federal spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of large-scale financial assistance programs such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB);
The announcement of additional supports for low-income Canadians to assist with the perceived high cost of living at present. These included a doubling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit for a period of six months, the provision of a Canada Dental Benefit to children under twelve who did not have access to dental insurance, and a one-time top up to the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) to deliver $500 to renters currently struggling with the cost of housing;
Ongoing support for Ukraine. This included the continued provision of financial and military assistance to the Government of Ukraine, as well as efforts to take in and accommodate Ukrainians seeking safe haven from the conflict;
The removal of remaining travel requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination requirements for travellers to Canada, mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app, and face mask mandates at airports and during travel by air or train;
Encouragement from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer for individuals to receive a booster dose of the recently approved bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. It was believed by some that this was an important step to keep Canadians safe and limit the spread of the virus in the fall and winter months;
The response to Hurricane Fiona, which made landfall in Atlantic Canada on September 24th, 2022, and caused widespread destruction throughout the region. A number of participants recalled hearing that a range of federal programs and financial supports had been established to assist those affected by the storm with rebuilding and replacing lost property. A few were of the view that while the Government of Canada had been active in its response to the storm, there needed to be a greater focus on proactively preparing for weather events of this magnitude going forward;
Investigations by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage into Hockey Canada and its handling of allegations of sexual assault involving players associated with the organization; and
Inquiries by the Public Order Emergency Commission examining the federal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act in February 2022 as a response to the Convoy protests taking place in Ottawa and other parts of the country at that time. A number of participants reported that they had been following this issue closely.

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (All Locations)

All groups conducted in October engaged in discussions related to the federal government’s handling of issues and priorities important to Canadians. These conversations focused on areas where the Government of Canada had been successful as well as those in which there was room for improvement. Asked to identify areas where the Government of Canada had performed well as of late, participants shared a range of responses. These included:

Affordability measures – Several spoke positively of recent actions taken by the federal government to make life more affordable for Canadians. This included the establishment of $10 a day, on average, child care agreements with all provinces and territories, the introduction of a national dental care program, and the announcement of affordability measures for low-income Canadians including the doubling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit for a period of six months, the creation of the Canada Dental Benefit, and a one-time $500 top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit;
Response to the COVID-19 pandemic – A number of participants identified the management of the COVID-19 pandemic as an area in which the Government of Canada had performed particularly well. Among these participants, it was felt that the federal government had shown a great deal of adaptability and willingness to evolve in its response to the pandemic, including the implementation and removal of public health requirements as needed based on changing information related to the virus. A few also mentioned financial supports such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), believing these had been essential in helping many Canadians make financial ends meet during this difficult time;
Environment and climate change – Several identified the environment as a key area of focus for the federal government, believing it had taken several actions to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. A small number specifically mentioned recent investments into sustainable food production, including an $8.5 million investment to the Aspire Food Group to build a state-of-the-art production facility in London, Ontario. A few participants felt differently, believing that while progress had been made towards combatting climate change, further efforts were necessary to address this issue given its magnitude and importance for future generations;
High safety standards – A few mentioned what they perceived to be high federal safety and inspection standards for goods and products imported into Canada from other markets. It was felt the federal government had been diligent in ensuring that Canadians remained safe in this regard;
Diversity and social issues – Many thought that the federal government had been effective in championing Canada’s diverse citizenry, encouraging immigration to Canada, and ensuring Canadians of all backgrounds and walks of life were provided with equal opportunity and protection from discrimination. Focusing specifically on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, a number spoke positively of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was last observed on September 30^th, 2022. It was felt by these participants that the Government of Canada had done a strong job in providing Indigenous peoples with a platform to communicate the cultural and historic meaning behind this day. A few participants in the group based in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut also spoke positively of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), expressing the convenience of having a single organization they could turn to for various programs, benefits, and supports; and
International assistance – A number of participants mentioned the Government of Canada’s ongoing support for Ukraine. This included the provision of financial and military assistance to the Government of Ukraine as well as efforts by the federal government to bring over and accommodate a large number of Ukrainians seeking safe haven from the conflict. Participants spoke positively of these actions, believing Canada had been a leader on this front amongst its allies.

Prompted to consider areas where the federal government could improve upon its performance, participants provided a wide range of ideas, including:

Inflation and the cost of living – A large number of participants identified the high rate of inflation and increased cost of living as a major area in need of improvement. It was widely felt that the actions taken by the federal government thus far, including interest rate increases by the Bank of Canada, had not been effective in addressing this issue and that more needed to be done. Focusing on the cost of living, a few suggested that the federal government should consider implementing price freezes on essential goods such as groceries and gasoline, believing these were becoming increasingly difficult to afford in recent months. A number of participants were also of the view that there needed to be a greater focus by the federal government towards reducing its spending. It was believed that doing so would be an important step towards reducing inflation;
Healthcare – Several viewed healthcare as a significant concern at present. Many were of the impression that provincial/territorial healthcare systems were currently under considerable strain and that this had resulted in long wait times in emergency rooms and at walk-in clinics across the country. It was widely felt that healthcare worker shortages were the primary driver behind this issue and that more needed to be done at the federal level to train and recruit additional workers in this sector, including those from outside of Canada. Additionally, some identified mental health as a growing concern, believing that additional resources needed to be dedicated towards ensuring Canadians suffering from these issues are able to receive the treatment they require;
Housing affordability – Several believed that not enough had been done to ensure that all Canadians had access to safe and affordable housing, with a number identifying housing insecurity and homelessness as growing issues in their communities. It was widely thought that greater efforts needed to be taken to increase the housing supply across Canada and to limit the rise in housing costs both for prospective homebuyers as well as renters. A small number felt somewhat differently, believing that while the cost of housing was an issue, the Government of Canada should not be seeking to lower home prices. It was felt that too sharp a decline in the housing market could negatively impact those who were relying upon their housing investments as a significant part of their retirement plans;
Services for Canadians – Perceived processing backlogs for a number of federal government services were identified as a significant issue at present. Participants identified areas including passport renewals, immigration applications, and the processing of work/study permits as areas in need of increased resources. Several had experienced these issues firsthand, with a number commenting that they had waited significant periods of time or were still waiting for renewals of essential documents such as passports or work permits. Related to immigration, it was felt that there needed to be a greater focus on family reunification with those already living in Canada as well as efforts to ensure that new immigrants to Canada were evenly dispersed throughout the country rather than primarily concentrating in major urban centres;
Oil and gas production – Some were of the opinion that the federal government should consider increasing the production of Canada’s oil and gas reserves. This was thought to be especially important given perceived high gasoline costs at present as well as the disruption to global energy markets caused by the conflict in Ukraine. A number felt that it was important for the federal government to develop greater self-reliance regarding its ability to meet the energy needs of Canadians and ensure that fuel costs remain affordable. It was also believed that by increasing oil and gas production, the Government of Canada would be in a better position to assist European allies who might experience fuel shortages during the winter months;
Environment and climate change – Some were of the view that more needed to be done to protect the environment and preserve Canada’s natural resources. A few specifically mentioned what they viewed as an overabundance of forestry and mining projects, believing there needed to be a greater focus on the conservation of these resources;
Firearms legislation – A few expressed disappointment regarding recently implemented measures related to firearms, including a national freeze on the buying and selling of handguns. It was felt that these new measures would do little to stem the flow of illegal firearms into Canada and would unfairly impact law-abiding firearms owners;
Support for rural communities – A number of participants, including several of those residing in Southern Alberta, thought there needed to be greater support for those living in rural communities. A few commented that those living rurally had been impacted to a higher degree by issues such as rising gasoline prices, especially given the longer distances those in these communities typically had to drive as part of their daily activities. It was thought that there needed to be a greater focus on supporting those in the agricultural sector (especially smaller family-run farms) as well as ensuring those in rural communities had access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet; and
Reconciliation – Some also felt that the Government of Canada needed to take further action towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, believing that while some progress had been made on this front, many significant issues still persisted. These included a lack of clean drinking water in some Indigenous communities and perceived rising issues related to poverty, mental health, and addictions, especially in remote and Northern communities. A few in the group from Nunavut and NT also mentioned policing as an issue, believing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) serving their communities needed to make a greater effort to reach out to and communicate with Indigenous peoples.

Focusing on Canada’s North more specifically, participants residing in NT and Nunavut were asked if they could recall any recent actions taken by the federal government related to improving living conditions in their communities. While several were of the impression that little had been done in recent years, a few recalled funding being provided by the federal government to assist with projects related to housing, infrastructure improvements, and improved mental health treatment, though they were uncertain as to the specific details of these programs. Most believed that the federal government was currently on the wrong track when it came to understanding and responding to the needs of those living in Northern communities. Several felt that pervasive issues such as the high cost of living, a lack of safe and affordable housing options, and issues such as mental health and addiction had increased in prevalence in recent years and that the extent of these concerns was not adequately understood at the federal level. Adding to this, a number of participants suggested that federal representatives needed to travel to their communities more frequently and stay for a longer period of time, establishing a federal presence in the North, in order to develop a first-hand understanding of the challenges they were currently facing. It was felt by gaining this perspective, federal officials would be able to better relate to and craft strategies to address the specific issues faced by those living in the North.

Participants residing in the City of Toronto, the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec, and mid-size and major centres throughout Quebec, were asked an additional question as to whether their opinion of the federal government had improved, gotten worse, or remained the same. Most said their opinion had worsened as of late, while a smaller number felt their views towards the federal government had been relatively stable. A very small number of participants indicated that their opinion had improved in recent months. For the large number whose attitude towards the Government of Canada had worsened, it was widely felt that it was more difficult for low and middle-income Canadians to make financial ends meet now compared to in the past. Many cited the rising cost of living and affordability issues related to essential goods and services as well as basic needs such as housing. A few also commented that their opinion of the federal government had been negatively impacted by what they viewed as unfair public health requirements implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as proof of vaccination requirements and mask mandates for travel by air or train. For the smaller number whose opinion had more or less remained the same, it was felt that while several actions had been taken by the federal government to better support Canadians, these had either not had an impact or were working too slowly to bring about any noticeable change. A few were of the opinion that more significant actions and initiatives might need to be taken going forward in order to match the pace at which economic and environmental issues appeared to be escalating.

Direction of the Country (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Six groups briefly discussed the direction of the country at present. Most were of the view that the country was currently headed in the wrong direction, while a smaller number were more undecided or uncertain as to how they felt. Regionally, all in the groups based in Interior British Columbia and mid-size and major centres in Quebec as well as most in Atlantic Canada and Quebec’s Bas-Saint Laurent region believed the country was headed in the wrong direction, while those in the group comprised of first responders in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTHA) felt there was a mixture of positive and negative trends, depending on the issue. Participants residing in Ontario/U.S. border towns were slightly more positive in their impressions with a roughly equal number feeling the country was either headed in the right direction or had remained the same in recent years. For those who believed Canada was currently heading in the wrong direction, many cited issues related to inflation and the rising cost of living, including price increases for essentials such as groceries, gasoline, and housing. Several in the group based in Interior B.C. were especially critical of pandemic-related supports such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which they felt had played a major role in driving inflation higher. A number of participants also identified issues such as homelessness, mental health, addiction, and a sense that the country as a whole had become more divided in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A few expressed concerns about climate change, as well as the conflict in Ukraine, which some worried might escalate further to the point that Canada would become directly involved in the fighting.

Among the participants who were more uncertain as to the direction they felt the country was headed, several expressed that while a number of actions had been taken by the federal government to address the economic and social challenges facing Canadians, these had not had much impact. Some believed that while there had been considerable progress made on social issues such as diversity and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the economic situation for many Canadians had worsened as of late. A few were of the opinion that while Canada was experiencing a number of growing issues, such as rising homelessness and increasing strain on the healthcare system, it was still performing better in these areas relative to most other jurisdictions throughout the world. For the small number who thought Canada was headed in the right direction, participants cited the federal government’s efforts towards greater inclusiveness and its promotion of human rights in Canada and abroad. It was generally thought by these participants that while the country was facing a number of challenges, the Government of Canada had taken several actions to address these issues and was doing the best that it could.

Engaging in slightly longer conversations on this topic, participants in the groups comprised of millennials in mid-size and major Quebec centres as well as low-income parents in Interior B.C., were asked what they hoped their lives would look like in the next few years. Most focused primarily on economic factors, hoping that in five to ten years they would be satisfied in their careers, able to afford the things they need, and have been able to purchase a home (for those who had not already had the opportunity to do so). For those participants who were parents, it was hoped that they would be in a situation where their children’s opportunities would not be limited by economic concerns and that whatever life path they aspired to pursue would be open to them. Several also expressed the hope that there would be a greater focus on sustainability and renewable resources in the future, believing this to be a necessary factor for ensuring a high quality of life for future generations.

Middle Class Canadians (Quebec City Middle Class Canadians)

Participants residing in Quebec City engaged in a brief discussion related to the issues currently impacting middle class Canadians. All participants viewed themselves as belonging to this socioeconomic group, believing it to be primarily comprised of those earning somewhere between $50,000 to $100,000 per year. Asked whether they felt the term middle class was associated with any other qualities apart from salary, no participants believed this to be the case. Focusing on their financial situation, several felt that it had been more difficult in recent years to make ends meet financially, with a number of participants citing increased household expenses related to groceries, energy costs, housing, and child care. Discussing ways in which the federal government could better support the middle class, participants provided a range of responses. Several felt more could be done to make housing more affordable, with many commenting that even for those making middle-class salaries, the costs to purchase a home or to rent were becoming increasingly expensive. Others felt there should be a greater emphasis on increasing benefits and financial supports for middle-income Canadians. Participants were largely of the impression that most existing supports were primarily targeted towards lower-income Canadians, while those making higher incomes yet still struggling with the cost of living were provided with little assistance. A few also thought that the Government of Canada could be more effective in promoting the programs and initiatives that already existed for those in the middle class, believing many were currently unaware of the supports available to them.

Asked whether they felt the federal government had been doing a better or worse job as of late when it came to supporting the middle class, most were of the view that its performance on this front had remained largely the same. It was felt that while some supports had been provided (especially during the pandemic through programs such as the CERB), the impact of these benefits or assistance had largely been mitigated by the rapid rise in the cost of living over the past year. In addition to efforts to increase the affordability of housing and child care, participants also thought more should be done to strengthen provincial/territorial healthcare systems throughout Canada as well as pursue further actions to combat climate change. It was believed that these issues affected all Canadians, including the middle class. Asked if they were aware of any recent action from the federal government on these fronts, a few participants were able to recall actions related to housing and the cost of living including the recent announcement of a two-year temporary ban on non-Canadians from buying residential property as well as actions by the Bank of Canada to increase policy interest rates with the aim of curbing the rate of inflation.

Environment and Climate Change (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety)

One group, comprised of those residing on Vancouver Island who identified as experiencing anxiety related to climate change, discussed issues related to the environment, including recent actions by the federal government on this front. All felt that addressing climate change needed to be a top priority for the federal government, though many acknowledged that it would likely have to balance this with other pressing issues such as inflation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The view was added that extreme weather events, such as the intense flooding which took place in southwestern British Columbia in the fall of 2021, had made the need for further action on climate change increasingly evident, with some expecting that these types of events would take place more frequency going forward. Asked which aspects of climate change they were most concerned about, a number of participants mentioned food production. It was thought that as the climate became less stable, greater efforts would need to be taken to develop more sustainable food production practices as well as to protect vital food sources, such as the province’s salmon stock. A few also believed that more needed to be done to educate Canadians about the environment and climate change, feeling that a large portion of the public did not sufficiently understand the magnitude of the issue.

Participants were aware of several actions recently taken by the federal government related to climate change. These included the establishment of the Canada Greener Homes Grant (though not mentioned by name), commitments that all new automobile sales by 2035 be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and the implementation of a federal price on carbon. A few also mentioned the federal government’s commitment to further developing clean energy sources such as hydrogen, including a Joint Declaration of Intent recently signed with Germany on this front. While aware of these actions, most were of the opinion that the Government of Canada had worsened in its handling of climate change and environmental issues as of late. It was felt that many federal actions, such as the introduction of a federal price on carbon, had placed too much of a financial burden on the individual and that not enough focus was being devoted to reducing the emissions of large businesses and corporations. A few suggested that greater investments could also be made towards increasing public transportation options in Canadian communities, believing these to be somewhat limited outside of major urban centres. For the smaller number who felt the Government of Canada was performing better in its handling of climate change in recent years, it was thought that the wide range of programs and initiatives recently implemented had represented a step in the right direction, even if there had been few noticeable impacts thus far.

The Economy (City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Participants in nine groups discussed a number of issues related to the Canadian economy. Conversations included participant perspectives regarding recent affordability measures introduced by the federal government, job creation and the current employment market, and opinions on economic terminology and phrasing currently being developed by the Government of Canada.

Affordability Measures (City of Toronto, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Six groups engaged in conversations related to a number of recent measures announced by the Government of Canada to help make life more affordable for Canadians. These included:

10% increase to Old Age Security (OAS): Increasing the OAS pension for seniors over the age of 75 by 10%, which could translate to over $800 in new support to full pensioners;

Affordable early learning and childcare: Working with the provinces and territories to offer universal early learning and childcare to Canadian families for $10 a day;

Benefits that are indexed to inflation: Benefits like the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement are all indexed to increase with the increased cost of living;

Dental care: Providing dental care to uninsured Canadians with a family income of less than $90,000 annually, starting with children under 12 this year;

Doubling the GST tax credit for six months: Doubling the quarterly GST tax credit so that single Canadians will receive up to an extra $234 and couples with children will receive up to an extra $467;

Enhancing the Canada Workers Benefit: A refundable tax credit that gives low-income workers up to $1,395 back for single individuals and up to $2,400 back for families; and

Helping Canadians afford their rent: A one-time tax-free payment of $500 to qualifying Canadians who are struggling with the cost of rent.

Asked to share their initial reactions, participants were mostly positive, with several expecting that these measures would be helpful, especially for younger Canadians who may be struggling disproportionately with the high cost of living at present. Though viewing these actions as a step in the right direction, however, many thought that they did not go far enough and would be unsuccessful in addressing what they viewed as systemic affordability issues being felt by much of the country at present. It was believed that there needed to be a greater sense of urgency on the part of the Government of Canada towards making life more affordable for Canadians. The opinion was also added that more needed to be done for middle-income households who did not qualify for the assistance programs currently available to lower-income Canadians. A few questioned how much these initiatives would cost taxpayers, with some expressing concerns regarding what they viewed as a high level of federal spending at present. A number of participants in the groups from Quebec City and Atlantic Canada expressed that they had heard very little about these initiatives, believing more needed to be done by the federal government to inform Canadians about the actions it was taking on this front.

Engaging in an exercise, participants were asked to select which among these measures they felt were most important in terms of addressing the affordability challenges currently facing Canadians. Across all groups, the initiatives related to affordable child care and early learning, the introduction of a national dental care program, and the indexing of benefits to the rate of inflation received the most support among participants. Focusing on child care, it was felt that this measure would be immensely helpful for parents with young children. Many believed that under the current economic climate, both partners would need to earn an income in order to keep pace with rising expenses and that this action would help many (especially mothers) to return to the workforce. Several recalled having experienced challenges related to unaffordable child care themselves or had heard accounts from friends or loved ones who had encountered this issue. A few added the view that it was important to ensure child care providers and early childhood educators would not see their income diminished as a result of this measure. Many also felt the provision of dental care for uninsured Canadians with a family income of under $90,000 would be helpful, with several expecting they would personally benefit from this initiative. It was strongly believed that dental care represented a basic health need and should be accessible and affordable for all Canadians and that this initiative should have been implemented long ago. Dental care was seen as a significant expense for those who did not have insurance or benefits through their employer and participants were hopeful this momentum would continue going forward towards the creation of a universal dental care program for all Canadians. It was widely thought that indexing benefits to inflation would also be helpful for Canadians, allowing those receiving federal assistance and supports to more easily keep pace with rising inflation and the high cost of living. It was added that this would likely be particularly important for those living on fixed incomes such as seniors and individuals living with disabilities who would otherwise be unable to keep pace with rising prices.

Participants expressed a more moderate level of support for other initiatives including enhancements to the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), a six-month doubling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit, and a 10% increase to OAS payments for those 75 and older. While many were relatively unfamiliar with the CWB, it was largely felt this would be helpful for a number of Canadians, especially low-income individuals who were currently struggling with the cost of living. Likewise, it was felt that a six-month doubling of the GST credit would provide additional financial assistance for a large portion of Canadians, though many felt this measure would have minimal long-term impact given that it was only expected to be in place for six months. The increase to OAS payments was also expected to be helpful for seniors, though a number of participants were critical of the age limit, believing it should be open to all seniors 65 and older and that the current cut-off age felt somewhat arbitrary. Many were widely critical of the measure to provide low-income Canadians with a one-time $500 payment to assist with their rent. It was largely thought that this amount was far too low to be impactful, with several of the opinion that given the vast affordability challenges faced by low-income Canadians, the $500 offered was somewhat insulting. The view was expressed by many that the funding allocated towards this initiative could be better spent elsewhere.

Discussing other actions that the Government of Canada could take to address the cost of living, a number of participants suggested the provision of tax relief in the form of temporary reductions on the amount of income tax paid by low and middle-income Canadians. Focusing on housing affordability more specifically, some also believed that there needed to be more focus on initiatives to increase the housing supply in Canada as well as actions to prohibit corporations and businesses from purchasing residential housing properties. Additionally, a number were of the view that actions needed to be taken to stabilize the price of essential goods such as groceries and gasoline. It was suggested that this could include further regulation of large-scale grocers and oil and gas companies as well as temporarily price caps or freezes on certain products. A few also thought that the Government of Canada should focus on developing greater energy self-sufficiency by increasing the production of domestic oil and gas reserves. It was believed that such action would help considerably towards making fuel prices more affordable for Canadians.

Jobs (City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs)

Five groups engaged in conversations related to the Canadian labour market as well as efforts by the Government of Canada to encourage job creation. Beginning by discussing the economy more broadly, all believed that the economy needed to be a top priority for the federal government, with many identifying it as the most important issue currently facing Canadians. It was widely felt that a strong economy served as the foundation for a well-functioning country and that the overall quality of life for Canadians was directly tied to their economic well-being. With this in mind, a number of participants shared concerns about what they viewed as a high likelihood of Canada entering into a recession within the next year. Asked what priorities specifically the Government of Canada should focus on going forward, several said that there needed to be a greater focus on economic self-sufficiency and less dependence on international trade. It was believed that supply chain disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine had laid bare the need for further emphasis to be placed on producing essential products within Canada. A number of participants believed that there also needed to be a greater focus from the federal government towards reducing spending and achieving a balanced budget. It was believed by these participants that increased federal spending during the pandemic had brought about considerable inflationary pressure on the Canadian economy and had been a key driver of the affordability issues being felt at present. A small number of those based in Southern Alberta and on Vancouver Island expressed the view that rather than the federal government intervening, economic issues should primarily be left to private enterprise. It was felt by these participants that the free market was best suited to address these concerns.

Focusing on job creation more specifically, participants across all groups were widely of the impression that there were currently numerous jobs available in their respective communities and that many sectors were suffering from a shortage of workers rather than a lack of open positions. Many, however, qualified their comments in that while there were a large number of jobs available, these did not necessarily offer enough compensation to provide workers with a living wage. Furthermore, it was said that in many cases these positions did not offer benefits and were often part-time or seasonal as opposed to providing full-time employment. It was thought by several that employers were currently not offering high enough wages and that as a result many Canadians were not incentivized to work. A smaller number attributed this to pandemic-related benefits such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), expressing the view that a large number of Canadians had become accustomed to receiving these supports and no longer wished to work for the wages they had earned prior to the pandemic. Asked whether they felt the Government of Canada was currently on the right track in terms of job creation, most participants felt that they did not know enough about recent actions on this front to provide a proper evaluation. Discussing what actions, if any, should be taken by the federal government related to job creation, it was thought that a greater emphasis needed to be placed on creating well-paying jobs as well as those in which employees found personal fulfillment. It was believed that these were necessary components for long-term happiness and satisfaction among Canadian workers.

Participants next engaged in an exercise where they were shown a number of terms describing potential categories of jobs and asked to share their initial impressions about each. These included:

Clean Jobs

A large number thought that the term clean jobs primarily referred to those positions which focused on the environment and sustainability, including the production of renewable energy such as solar, wind, and hydroelectricity. It was believed that these jobs were primarily those which produced little in the way of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and had a low carbon footprint. A smaller number associated these types of jobs more literally with the concept of cleanliness, expecting that clean jobs were primarily those situated in offices and other areas where employees could expect to remain physically clean throughout their work day.

Fair Jobs

Most equated fair jobs with positions that provided fair compensation to employees, including a living wage and generous benefits. Several felt these types of jobs were directly focused on ensuring their employees are paid at a rate commensurate to their contributions and feel valued by their employers. Asked what types of jobs they felt this term would encompass, most believed the concept of fairness to be primarily subjective in nature and that a fair job would be any position in which an employee felt their compensation was adequate and their contributions valued.

Good Jobs

Similar to the above term, participants also felt good jobs were mostly subjective in nature and depended on the personal perspective of those who worked in them. It was generally thought that a good job would be one in which an employee was well compensated, felt valued, worked in an area of interest to them, and was able to contribute to their community through their work. The view was added that while historically some may have identified primarily ‘white collar’ jobs as belonging to this category, it was likely that any position could be a good job depending on one’s perspective.

Green Jobs

Virtually all participants felt that these types of jobs referred to those focused on the environment and sustainability. It was thought that these could be jobs that directly interact with the environment such as those in biology, ocean sciences, and forestry as well as careers in renewable energy, sustainable development, waste reduction, and public transportation, among others.

Sustainable Jobs

While some also felt this term referred to jobs which were involved with environmental sustainability, several others alternatively thought this category could include those jobs which themselves were sustainable over time. It was thought that a sustainable job in this respect would be one in which an employee could feel confident in their long-term security as well as the belief that their profession would continue to be necessary in the decades to come.

Jobs of the Future

Most expected that jobs of the future would be those which were focused on technology, innovation, and creativity. Examples of these types of careers provided by participants included those in computer sciences, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, as well as entrepreneurs in emerging sectors. A few participants commented that as more jobs become automated over time, the employment sector may become one based more on services and experiences and that there may be more opportunities in these areas going forward.

Participants were largely positive in their reactions to these categories. Asked which types of jobs the Government of Canada should be focused on creating, while a larger number gravitated to fair jobs, sustainable jobs, and jobs of the future, several believed that all categories were important and that there was likely considerable overlap between these terms. Asked an additional question as to whether they felt there were any jobs that they would not consider as not being green or clean, some in the group from Southern Alberta believed this could refer to those working in the mining and oil and gas sectors. Expanding upon this, however, most in this group were of the opinion that these jobs were still of critical importance to the Canadian economy and did not believe that they should be seen in a negative light.

Economic Terminology (Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec)

Participants residing in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec shared their perspectives related to a range of economic terminology and messaging currently being developed by the federal government. To begin, participants were presented with a list of terms and asked whether they all conveyed the same message or if there were any differences between them. These included:

While most felt the terms to be quite similar, many did believe there to be minor differences among them. It was thought by several that an economy which includes all Canadians was more all-encompassing and welcoming while other terms such as an economy focused on delivering for all Canadians were primarily focused on economic concerns. It was also felt that terms such as benefits and includes, did not necessarily mean the same thing and that being included did not always equate to prospering. Asked to select the phrase that they most preferred, many identified an economy which focuses on the welfare of all Canadians. Several reacted positively to the incorporation of the concept of welfare into the messaging, believing this spoke to a more holistic quality of life that involved both economic and personal considerations. The view was added that this type of economy would likely focus on maintaining a high standard of living for all Canadians. A smaller number indicated support for other terms such as an economy which benefits all Canadians and an economy that is working for all Canadians. These participants reacted positively to what they viewed as the emphasis on Canadians working together to power the economy and the potential economic benefits that could be derived from doing so.

Engaging in an additional exercise, participants were shown a pair of statements related to the economy and asked to select which of them they preferred:

We continue our work so that all Canadians can benefit from the economy; and

We continue our work so that all Canadians can be at the centre.

While more participants preferred the second of the two terms, several expressed reservations about both statements. In particular, a number viewed the aspect of continuing our work as an implication that the status quo would be maintained, and that little change would be made in how the Canadian economy operates. Describing why they preferred the concept that all Canadians can be at the centre, most felt this referred to an economy that was driven by all Canadians. By comparison, several viewed the phrasing that all Canadians can benefit from the economy as being too focused on personal wealth and profit (which the French-language phrasing of this term closely aligned with). It was largely felt both statements could be improved by the inclusion of a more all-encompassing focus on improving the standard of living for Canadians and a greater focus on innovation and developing new economic strategies.

Tourism (City of Toronto, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials)

Participants in five groups engaged in conversations related to tourism and the level of importance of this sector to their respective local economies. Regionally, almost all participants in the groups from the City of Toronto, Atlantic Canada, and both groups based in Quebec viewed tourism as very important to their communities while those in the group comprised of participants residing in cities near the Ontario-U.S. border were more mixed in their views. Among these participants, tourism was seen as a more important priority by those living closer to the Niagara Falls region than those who resided in other communities such as Windsor. A small number in the Atlantic Canada group who resided in or near Moncton, New Brunswick, also felt tourism was less important in their area than in other parts of the region, primarily due to what they viewed as a lack of visitor attractions. Questioned whether they had noticed any noticeable change in tourism in their region during the summer, all in the group based in Toronto felt there had been a noticeable uptick in the number of tourists visiting the city compared to recent years. Those residing in mid-size and major centres in Quebec also largely felt tourism had increased, particularly in larger cities such as Montreal. Among these participants, however, the impression was added that the majority of tourists had primarily been from Quebec and the rest of Canada and that far fewer international travellers had visited relative to previous years. Comparatively, participants in the groups from the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec and Atlantic Canada were more varied in their opinions as to whether tourism had increased. While some felt there had been more tourists this summer compared to the previous year, a number of participants believed the number of visitors had fallen short of expectations, especially given the loosening of public health and travel requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was speculated by some that increased transportation costs and rising inflation had played a role in the number of tourists not being as high as they expected. Few in the group based in Ontario/U.S. border cities felt tourism had increased over the past summer. A number speculated that pandemic-related travel requirements, including the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app, had deterred many Americans from travelling to Canada who might otherwise have done so.

Almost all participants believed that the service industry, including the tourism sector, was currently facing a labour shortage. Describing why they felt this had occurred, a large number cited perceived low compensation, stressful working environments, and the seasonal nature of many tourism-related jobs as key potential factors. A smaller number suggested that many of the workers who had traditionally filled these positions had become accustomed to pandemic-related supports such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and no longer desired to return to work. It was widely felt that employers needed to do more to attract employees to these positions, including taking actions such as increasing wages and providing full-time hours and benefits to their workers. Several had personally observed the impact of this perceived labour shortage on the tourism sector, with some mentioning that businesses in their communities such as restaurants had either reduced their hours of operation or closed altogether. Others reported having been personally affected by travel delays due to staff shortages in major airports such as Toronto Pearson Airport. Discussing actions the Government of Canada could take to address labour shortages, several suggested the creation of financial supports such as wage subsidies or targeted tax relief to assist employers with raising salaries. This was felt to be especially important for smaller businesses which may find raising wages difficult due to the high rate of inflation at present. It was also thought that more could be done to bring in workers from outside of Canada, including expediting the foreign credential recognition process for vital tourism-related sectors such as air travel which was viewed as currently facing staffing shortages. Several suggested additional actions could be taken to encourage further investments in the tourism sector in their region. These recommendations included providing funding for the development of new tourist and cultural attractions, further advertising and marketing resources for the attractions that were already in place, and infrastructure improvements that would make tourist destinations more accessible to visitors. For a number of those living in Atlantic Canada, it was felt that actions to lower transportation costs such as fuel prices would potentially attract more tourists to their region, given the perceived longer journeys they believed tourists travelling by car often had to undertake to reach the Atlantic provinces.

Internet Connectivity (City of Toronto, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials)

Participants in four groups discussed Internet connectivity in their respective regions. Asked how they would rate the quality and reliability of Internet service in their communities, participants were mixed in their responses. While most in the groups based in Toronto as well as mid-size and major centres in Quebec viewed their Internet as typically being of a high calibre and consistently reliable, those residing in Atlantic Canada and the Bas-Saint-Laurent region were more critical. For these participants, it was felt that Internet service was somewhat inconsistent in their region, especially for those living more rurally and away from urban centres. A number of participants in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region commented that there had recently been an effort to install fibre optic Internet in many communities in their area and that this had considerably improved the quality of their service. While few participants identified poor quality or unreliable Internet as routinely having a negative impact on their day-to-day activities, it was widely felt that high-speed Internet represented a basic necessity and that any service interruptions could cause difficulties, especially for those who worked from home.

Almost all participants felt there to be a lack of options for Internet providers in their respective areas. Among those living in Toronto it was felt that there were few choices beyond Rogers Communications and Bell Canada. Adding to this, a few were of the impression that many large apartment complexes in the city often had agreements in place with a single Internet provider, leaving residents with no choice at all on this front. While a small number in Atlantic Canada mentioned having access to Eastlink, most in this group also identified Rogers and Bell as the primary providers in their area. In the groups based in Quebec, though some reported using providers such as Videotron, Oricon, Acanac, and Xplornet, it was generally felt that options in the province remained quite limited, especially if one lived a far distance away from major cities such as Montreal.

While all participants felt that cost was an important consideration when it came to the Internet provider they selected, many also mentioned reliability and speed as heavily factoring into their decision-making process. A number indicated that they would be willing to pay more for Internet that was guaranteed to be fast and reliable. This said, very few felt that the Internet in their area was fairly priced, with many expressing the view that Canadians in general often paid far more for these services relative to those living in other jurisdictions. This was thought to be the case both in terms of home Internet services as well as those provided through mobile data plans. Informed that the Government of Canada had implemented programs that support high-speed Internet access for Canadians (especially those living in rural and remote communities) participants were asked whether they were aware of any of these programs or had accessed them in the past. While a few felt they had heard about these initiatives in passing, none could provide any additional details or could recall the names of these programs. All felt the Government of Canada should be doing more to ensure that all Canadians had access to affordable and reliable Internet services. It was strongly believed that high-speed Internet was a necessity for Canadians to be able to work, study, and communicate effectively and needed to be viewed as a basic right going forward.

Oil and Gas (Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec)

Participants in four groups engaged in conversations related to the oil and gas sector in Canada, focusing specifically on the issue of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by oil and gas companies. While a number of participants were aware of the federal government’s past actions to implement a price on carbon, few other recent announcements or initiatives could be recalled. As a general comment, a small number expressed that it had been difficult to keep track of which projects involving the Government of Canada (such as pipeline construction) had been approved and which had been cancelled outright. To aid in conversation, participants were shown the following information:

The Government of Canada has committed to reducing the pollution generated in Canada that causes climate change. To help reach this goal, the oil and gas sector will be required to cap and cut the pollution they create. This means that over the coming years, oil and gas companies will have to reduce the amount of emissions generated by their industrial activities. The cap will apply to the pollution their industrial work creates, not how much oil and gas they sell. In other words, companies will be able to continue producing oil and gas at the level of their choice, as long as they do so in an increasingly clean way. Consultations are underway on how best to design a national system to reach this goal.

Asked whether they supported the Government of Canada taking action to cap and reduce emissions from the oil and gas sector, a number of different viewpoints emerged among participants. Those in the two groups based in Quebec were largely in favour of these actions, believing they were likely necessary to fight climate change and promote greater sustainability going forward. The view was added by some in these groups that climate change represented a growing crisis and that any actions taken to mitigate its effects were a step in the right direction. While supportive of this plan, however, several expressed a desire to see more specific targets and actions introduced that would limit the amount of emissions oil and gas companies can produce in addition to ensuring these activities are carried out in increasingly clean ways. Participants in the group based on Vancouver Island were more varied in their opinions. While most believed that the goal of reducing emissions was an important one, several were concerned that the financial costs of adhering to these measures would be passed on by oil and gas companies to the consumer. A number of participants were also of the impression that Canadian oil and gas was generally already produced using cleaner methods than those in other jurisdictions. With this in mind, it was suggested that it may be better for the global environment for Canada to utilize its oil and gas reserves to a greater extent rather than relying on markets that may not be adhering to Canadian environmental standards. Few of those residing in Southern Alberta were supportive of these actions by the Government of Canada. While some were adamantly opposed to any initiatives to regulate the oil and gas sector, others felt they did not know enough about this issue to determine whether these actions would be successful in fighting climate change. Though most participants in this group also believed addressing climate change to be an important priority going forward, several were skeptical as to whether these actions would have any impact given what they viewed as the high levels of emissions continuing to be produced in larger jurisdictions such as China and India.

Almost all participants expected that these actions as well as any further regulation of the oil and gas sector would likely contribute to a rise in the price of gasoline, with many reiterating the view that any additional costs incurred by oil and gas companies would ultimately be passed on to the consumer. Several were of the impression that high fuel prices would likely become the norm going forward and did not anticipate that they would be reduced at any point in the near future. Asked whether they felt the ongoing crisis in Ukraine should impact the Government of Canada’s decision to cap and regulate oil and gas emissions, participants were once again mixed in their views. A number believed the situation in Eastern Europe would likely not have any impact on the Canadian oil and gas supply and should not influence the Government of Canada’s actions related to this sector. Several others, and especially those in the groups from Southern Alberta and Vancouver Island, however, thought that it would be prudent for the Government of Canada to consider increasing its oil and gas production, believing that European allies may be in dire need of Canadian energy resources during the winter months and that this represented an opportunity for Canada both from an economic as well as a humanitarian perspective. While most in the groups from Quebec and Vancouver Island and some residing in Southern Alberta believed that reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector was something the Government of Canada should continue to work towards going forward, a smaller number felt differently. While reiterating the view that climate change was an important priority, a number of these participants did not wish to see actions taken that would be overly harmful for consumers, especially given the high rate of inflation and perceived rising cost of living at present.

Healthcare (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Two groups, comprised of mental healthcare workers residing in Manitoba and first responders from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) respectively, engaged in discussions related to healthcare. These conversations focused on healthcare priority areas recently identified by the Government of Canada as well as perspectives related to mental health from those working in the healthcare field. Almost all participants identified healthcare as a significant concern in their communities. A large number believed that the healthcare system as a whole was facing major challenges at present and that the sector required significant overhaul. Concerns were expressed that if these issues were left unaddressed the quality of public healthcare in Canada could diminish, an event which some predicted would lead to the emergence of a two-tiered healthcare system and greater privatization of the sector as a whole.

While most participants felt the quality of healthcare workers and services in Canada to be among the best in the world, it was thought by several that there were significant problems related to the accessibility of these services. Most in the group based in Manitoba identified a lack of accessibility to healthcare services as a major concern in their community, while a larger number of participants residing in the GTHA said that while they often experienced long wait times, they were generally able to access healthcare services when they required them. Asked to identify specific challenges related to healthcare at present, participants pointed to issues such as a lack of family doctors, limited access to specialists, long wait times at emergency rooms and walk-in clinics, and a growing prevalence of issues related to mental health and addiction. A number of participants in the group based in Manitoba also identified a lack of Indigenous-focused healthcare options as an issue, believing many Indigenous peoples were unable to access care that aligned with their culture and values.

Healthcare Priority Areas (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Asked if they were aware of any recent actions or announcements by the Government of Canada related to healthcare, few participants could recall any initiatives apart from the recent announcement of a national dental care program. To aid in conversation, participants were presented with information regarding five priority areas the federal government had recently identified related to healthcare. These included:

Addressing health care 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.

Participants were largely positive in their reactions to this list, with many believing it did a strong job at addressing the most pressing healthcare issues facing Canadians, particularly those related to accessibility. Asked whether any of these priorities were of greater importance than the rest, it was generally thought that all were important and worth pursuing by the federal government. A small number felt somewhat differently, believing that though still important, the initiative to modernize health data management and expand virtual care was a less urgent matter than the rest of the priorities listed.

Participants in the group based in Manitoba engaged in a slightly longer conversation, sharing their expectations related to these priorities as well as specific actions they believed the Government of Canada would take towards addressing them. Discussing the priority of addressing healthcare worker shortages and reducing wait times, many felt there would need to be greater funding allocated towards increasing worker salaries and encouraging healthcare professionals to continue practicing in Canada rather than relocating to other jurisdictions such as the United States in pursuit of higher salaries. It was also suggested that more should be done to encourage younger Canadians to consider careers in the healthcare sector, including offering incentives to do so via study grants and/or assistance with course fees for the licensing and certification required to practice in Canada. Some also believed additional action could be taken to expedite the foreign credential recognition process as a way to bring in a greater number of healthcare professionals from outside of Canada. It was widely thought that increasing the number of healthcare workers in Canada would have a significant impact on reducing wait times and making healthcare services more accessible.

Focusing on increasing access to family healthcare services, in addition to recruiting more family doctors, a number of participants believed the Government of Canada should focus on promoting a more proactive approach to medicine. The view was expressed that many chronic injuries or illnesses often began as minor issues and that by providing more Canadians with access to primary care through family doctors, these issues would be able to be addressed before they had a chance to escalate further. It was felt this could take strain off the healthcare system in the long term as there would likely be fewer patients with chronic issues requiring ongoing treatment. A few felt there needed to be an emphasis placed on finding family doctors for vulnerable populations, such as those who age out of the foster system and may lack the resources to secure a physician on their own.

All participants felt improving long-term care (LTC) and home care to be an important priority for the federal government. In addition to addressing worker shortages, it was suggested that the Government of Canada could work to establish a national standard of care and implement regulations on all private LTC facilities ensuring they adhered to this standard. A small number took a more nuanced view, believing that while it was important to have minimum standards in place, each province and territory should have the flexibility to deliver this type of care in a manner that met the unique needs of their respective senior populations.

Several identified a lack of resources as the most pressing issue concerning mental health and addiction at present and believed far more federal funding needed to be devoted to this area. It was suggested that rather than solely focusing on creating new programs to address this priority, the federal government should also expand its support for those treatment providers and facilities that were already in existence. A few also recommended that strategies be created to assist those who had experienced issues related to mental health and addiction with reintegrating into their community, believing this to be a major barrier at present for many of those working to overcome these problems.

A number of participants were of the impression that actions were already being taken by some healthcare providers to digitize medical records and believed this trend would continue to increase going forward. While expecting this would make healthcare provision more efficient, some expressed concern about transitioning to a primarily digital model, believing it would be vulnerable to both data theft as well as potential Internet service interruptions. Several spoke positively of the potential of virtual care, believing It could have a sizeable impact on those living rurally or in remote communities who did not live in close proximity to a physician.

Mental Health (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Participants in both groups engaged in conversations related to mental health care in Canada. Those in the group comprised of mental health professionals residing in Manitoba shared their personal experiences working in the field as well as their impressions regarding recent initiatives related to mental health announced by the federal government. Participants in the group composed of first responders residing in the GTHA region took part in a slightly different discussion, focusing on their personal mental health, the strategies they used to cope with these challenges, and the mental health of first responders more generally.

Mental Health Initiatives (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers)

Asked what they felt to be the most pressing challenges related to mental health in their respective communities, the group of mental healthcare workers based in Manitoba shared a range of concerns. These included:

Accessibility – All felt that there needed to be a greater focus on increasing access to therapists, programming, and medication for those seeking mental health treatment. It was believed that many of these services were quite expensive at present and that more needed to be done to increase affordability for those who currently did not have the means to access proper care;
Substance use and addiction – It was thought by many that substance abuse and addiction had increased in prominence in recent years. Several felt the isolation and stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic had greatly increased these issues, and that they were now becoming widespread throughout Manitoba as well as the rest of the country; and
Stigma – The view was expressed that many who suffer from mental health issues are reluctant to seek care, feeling ashamed about their condition or that their personal and professional lives may be negatively impacted if they revealed the challenges they were facing. It was thought by several that there needed to be a greater focus on education regarding mental health, especially among younger Canadians.

All in this group believed that the Government of Canada had a role to play in improving mental healthcare. In addition to increasing funding for provinces and territories to address these issues, it was also suggested by some that more could be done to develop a national standard for mental healthcare. It was felt that by doing so, the federal government could hold the provinces and territories to greater account, ensuring that all Canadians had access to the mental health treatment they required. No participants could recall any recent actions taken by the Government of Canada related to mental health. Asked more specifically if they had heard anything about the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) initiative, none had. To provide further clarification, participants were shown the following information:

Wellness Together Canada (WTC) is an online portal that provides free on-demand 24/7 access to a large network of mental health resources, including one-on-one sessions with a counsellor, mental health and substance use support resources, and participation in a community of support. PocketWell, a companion app to WTC, allows people to use their mobile device to complete self-assessments and access resources, track their mood day-to-day, and set reminder notifications for the self-assessment and Mood Meter.

Sharing their initial reactions, several felt this initiative would be very helpful, especially for those currently without the means to access mental health care. Some, however, expressed a few concerns about the implementation of this program. One concern identified by participants was that digital components of the program, such as the PocketWell app, would likely require a smartphone or other mobile device, something which may be prohibitively expensive for some individuals. While expecting the WTC platform would have a positive effect, a few participants were concerned that this may be used as a replacement for, rather than a companion to, one-to-one counselling. Speaking to their own experience as mental health professionals, these participants were of the opinion that no app or digital platform would be able to establish the same level of trust and candidness that one develops through an ongoing relationship with a therapist or counsellor.

Participants were next presented with information related to Talk Suicide Canada, an additional mental health initiative being implemented by the federal government:

Talk Suicide Canada operates a national 1-800 suicide prevention line funded by the Government of Canada. The federal government is also working to establish a three-digit (988) suicide prevention and mental health crisis line, which will launch by November 30, 2023. Once fully implemented, 988 will provide a single and immediate access point to 24/7 suicide prevention and mental health crisis support in English and French to anyone, anywhere in Canada.

Almost all participants identified this as a very promising initiative that could have life-saving implications for those suffering from mental health crises. It was expressed that having a three-digit number, akin to 911, that participants could call during mental health emergencies to receive immediate care would be an important step towards preventing serious outcomes such as overdoses and suicides. While a small number felt this service may be difficult to access for those who did not possess a telephone or did not have a living situation in which they could speak privately or candidly, they also expected that this service would be an important resource for the vast majority of those suffering from these challenges.

The group were next presented with information related to a third initiative, this time focused on the creation of a national service standard for mental healthcare in Canada:

The federal government is helping to develop national mental health service standards, in collaboration with provinces and territories, health organizations, and key stakeholders. Currently, research is being done to inform the development of these standards, specifically on the improvement of service delivery, care, and health outcomes.

While most participants believed this was an important step for the Government of Canada to take, many felt it was difficult to properly evaluate this initiative without a better understanding of what a national standard would entail and what steps would be taken to implement it. Some were also of the view that while it was important to establish a consistent level of care, mental health treatment would still need to be highly personalized to the individual and a one-size-fits-all approach would likely not work for everyone. A few also reiterated the need for the provision of culturally focused mental health care options that took into account the lived experiences of groups such as Indigenous peoples who may have experienced a higher level of intergenerational trauma relative to other Canadians. Asked what more the Government of Canada could do on this front, participants also recommended the establishment of thorough and consistent certification standards for those looking to practice in the mental health sector, as well as a greater focus on making mental health care more accessible for those living in rural or remote communities, such as those in Canada’s North.

Mental Health Perspectives (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Participants in the group comprised of first responders from the GTHA took part in a conversation regarding the mental health of those working in their profession. All felt that first responders had faced considerable pressure and emotional strain during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the mental health of many in the profession had suffered as a result. Describing the supports available to them, many commented that there were now significantly more resources for first responders to turn to (and less stigma for doing so) compared to previous eras. Despite this, however, it was widely felt that these were not enough to address the magnitude of the challenges currently facing those in their line of work.

Asked to identify the signs or symptoms that someone in their profession suffering from mental health challenges might present, participants mentioned actions such as withdrawing from colleagues and loved ones, a lack of interest in their work, changes in personality and/or attitude, and self-medication with alcohol and other substances. Discussing where they would turn to if they were facing mental health issues themselves, many indicated that they were already utilizing therapists and counsellors to talk through the issues they were facing. A few recalled that they had been recommended during their training to proactively begin seeing a therapist in order to establish a trusting relationship with a professional who they could discuss the traumas they witnessed as part of their profession. A number also mentioned that they would likely turn to trusted colleagues or supervisors who would have a more intimate understanding of the lived experiences of first responders and what they were going through. No participants identified the Government of Canada as a place they would turn to when facing challenges related to their mental health. Asked if they were aware of the Wellness Together Canada program, while a few were familiar with the name, no participants could recall any details. Few participants indicated that they would be likely to seek out information and tips related to mental health online, with most expressing a preference to instead speak with loved ones, colleagues, and/or mental health professionals who would have a better understanding of them as individuals.

Discussing potential communications related to mental health, participants were asked who they felt should be delivering messaging concerning this issue. Most believed it should be someone who either has training in mental health, has experienced these challenges themselves, or who had relatable life experience to them. The view was added that any communications or messaging should be tailored to local communities and/or specific professions, making it more relatable for those considering seeking treatment. A small number suggested the incorporation of public figures or celebrities in these communications, believing that doing so might encourage individuals to pay more attention to the messages being presented.

Housing (Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Two groups discussed matters related to housing in Canada. Those in the group based in Atlantic Canada comprised of prospective homebuyers shared their perspectives regarding a number of housing initiatives recently announced by the federal government while the group based in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut discussed a number of housing issues specific to Canada’s North.

Housing Initiatives (Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers)

This group, comprised of prospective homebuyers, engaged in a discussion regarding a number of initiatives related to housing recently announced as part of the 2022 federal Budget. To begin, participants were asked whether they currently had a positive or negative outlook regarding home ownership. A large number were pessimistic about their current prospects for home ownership, believing they would likely struggle to afford to purchase a home in the foreseeable future due to challenges such as high housing prices, recent increases in interest rates by the Bank of Canada, and additional expenses in other areas such as groceries and gasoline.

Participants next engaged in an exercise where they were asked to evaluate sets of initiatives recently announced by the Government of Canada, related respectively to improving housing affordability and protecting Canadians in the housing market. No participants indicated being previously aware of any initiatives from the federal government on these fronts. The first set of initiatives, related to housing affordability, included:

A Tax-Free First Home Savings Account allowing prospective first-time home buyers to save up to $40,000 tax-free to put towards their purchase;

Doubling the existing First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit from $5,000 to $10,000;

A one-time $500 payment to Canadians facing housing affordability challenges;

Expanding the First Time Home Buyer Incentive to allow more flexibility and making it easier for single Canadians to access;

An additional $200 million to increase rent-to-own housing options; and

A $562 million investment over two years in funding organizations addressing homelessness, plus $62 million specifically to address homelessness among veterans.

Most initiatives received high levels of support, with a number of participants expressing the view that several of these actions would likely have a positive impact on improving housing affordability across Canada as well as their own prospects of purchasing a home. Participants were particularly supportive of those initiatives targeted at assisting first-time home buyers, such as the creation of a Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) allowing prospective first-time homebuyers to save up to $40,000 tax-free to put towards their purchase. It was believed that this would incentivize individuals to save more money for their homes. Other initiatives targeting first-time home buyers, including the commitment to double the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC), and the expansion of the First Time Home Buyers’ Incentive were also met with enthusiasm. Focusing on the initiative to increase the flexibility of the First Time Home Buyers’ Incentive, several shared personal challenges they had faced in attempting to purchase a home on a single income. It was expected by these participants that the increased accessibility of the incentive to single Canadians would provide them with considerable assistance in purchasing a home.

The allocation of an additional $200 million towards increasing rent-to-own housing options also received a large amount of support among participants. Though it was thought that rent-to-own housing options would be beneficial to many Canadians, several were of the impression that they were difficult to obtain in the current housing market. A smaller number were supportive of the investment of $562 million towards organizations addressing homelessness, as well as an additional $62 million specifically addressing this issue among veterans. Among those who identified this initiative as important, it was thought that homelessness in Canada was becoming an issue of increasing urgency and required greater action on the part of the federal government to address. None were supportive of the provision of a one-time $500 payment to Canadians facing housing affordability challenges. Many reacted negatively upon hearing about this initiative, expressing the opinion that the amount was too low to provide any tangible assistance to Canadians struggling with housing affordability. Participants also were generally opposed to the one-time structure of the payment, suggesting that it would do little to address the long-term challenges related to housing affordability faced by many Canadians. It was believed that this commitment demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding the present cost of housing on the part of the federal government.

Participants next concentrated on a second set of initiatives focused on protecting Canadians in the housing market. These included:

Ending blind bidding (blind bidding is where home buyers don’t know how much others are bidding);

Creating taxation penalties to stop landlords from doing ‘renovictions’ (a renoviction occurs when a landlord evicts a tenant by claiming they will complete major renovations);

A ban on all non-Canadians buying residential properties in Canada for two years;

New taxation rules to deter house flipping; and

Making assignment sales of new and renovated housing taxable to deter speculators from buying homes and leaving them vacant (an assignment sale is when a seller sells their interest in a property before they take possession).

The initiative to impose taxation penalties as a method of deterring landlords from renovicting existing tenants received the highest levels of support from participants. Several had previously experienced issues related to this in the past and shared the challenges of having to locate a new home on short notice, especially given concerns related to housing affordability. The commitment to end blind bidding also received high levels of support among participants. It was believed that this practice considerably increased the sale price of homes, placing potential homebuyers at a considerable disadvantage.

Two initiatives receiving moderate levels of support were the introduction of new taxation rules to deter house flipping as well as the implementation of a two-year ban on all non-Canadians from purchasing residential properties. Discussing the new taxation rules to deter house flipping, it was believed that those engaged in this practice often performed poor-quality renovations while driving up the prices of these properties as much as possible. Focusing on the temporary ban on non-Canadians from purchasing residential properties, a number believed this to be necessary, feeling that foreign investment had limited the housing available to those living in the country. Several expressed the view that by investing in the Canadian housing market, those from other countries were creating affordability challenges for Canadians and that this measure was a step in the right direction towards addressing this. The announcement of making assignment sales of new and renovated housing taxable as a way of deterring speculators received minimal attention from participants.

Northern Housing (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants in the group from the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut engaged in a brief conversation related to the housing situation in Canada’s North. Discussing the housing situation in their communities, participants identified three key areas in need of further attention:

Supply – Many felt that there was a critical shortage of available housing in their communities. The view was added that a significant portion of housing was occupied by workers only intended to stay in the region for a short time, further limiting the availability of housing for those who lived in their communities full-time. It was believed that this perceived lack of supply was resulting in increased homelessness in some areas of the North. Others expressed concerns related to the availability of housing for families, believing most homes were too small to accommodate those with multiple children, resulting in overcrowding and safety issues;
Quality and safety – It was felt by a large number that the houses in their communities were increasingly worsening in quality, leading to concerns about the safety of those residing in them. Multiple participants reported that a significant number of the houses in the region were deteriorating and in many cases were over 60 years old. This was felt to be a contributing factor to the poor energy efficiency of many homes. Additionally, several expressed concerns about the poor quality of housing, which they felt had led some to leave their communities as well as prevented them from being able to attract necessary skilled workers such as doctors and nurses; and
Affordability – Many shared that they could not afford the current prices of homes in their communities, believing this had been a long-standing issue that had increased in magnitude in recent years.

Participants were next asked to identify which level of government they believed was responsible for housing in the North. While participants widely believed that the territorial governments were primarily responsible for housing, it was also felt the Government of Canada had a role to play on this front. It was thought that additional actions could be taken to provide increased grants and funding to the territorial governments in order to increase the housing supply and the condition of housing. It was also suggested by some that municipal governments played a role in the planning of housing development. It was said by some that this at times had a negative impact, with perceived high levels of bureaucracy at the municipal level impeding the construction of new homes. The view was also added that Indigenous governments were becoming more involved in housing through the purchase of homes and apartments in efforts to increase the housing supply for their respective Nations.

Participants were largely unaware of any recent initiatives undertaken by the federal government to address housing issues in their communities. Asked how the Government of Canada could most effectively assist in improving the housing situation, many reiterated the view that increased funding toward housing would likely have the greatest impact. A smaller number also suggested that the creation and maintenance of long-term public-private partnerships focused on housing in Canada’s North would also be of value.

Climate Change (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Two groups discussed a number of issues related to climate change. Those in the group based on Vancouver Island who identified as experiencing anxiety about climate change discussed a number of measures recently announced by the Government of Canada to address this issue. Participants residing in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut focused on the impacts they expected a changing climate would have on their local communities as well as what actions, if any, they had taken to prepare for climate change.

Climate Change Initiatives (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety)

To begin, participants in this group were asked to share their initial reactions upon hearing the phrase ‘climate change’. Most largely expressed feelings of concern and pessimism, particularly regarding their expectations as to how this issue would impact future generations. A number of participants indicated that they were feeling less hopeful for the future due to their concerns about climate change. Speaking more generally, a few believed it was a positive development that climate change was now the term predominately utilized to describe this issue, believing it more accurately described what was happening than previously used phrases such as ‘global warming’.

Participants were next presented with information regarding a number of measures that the Government of Canada had recently implemented or was planning to put into place in the future to address the threat of climate change. These included:

A national minimum price on carbon pollution. Each province and territory has the flexibility to develop a system that works for their circumstances, provided it meets the national ‘benchmark’ criteria;

Meeting or exceeding Paris Agreement targets by 2030. Key actions include emissions reduction targets of 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030, conserving 30% of land and marine areas in Canada by 2030, helping developing countries adapt to climate change and protect biodiversity (for example, working with partners in Chile, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal to advance work that reduces methane emissions from the solid waste sector) and co-leading (with the United Kingdom) an initiative to phase out coal power;

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Key actions include ensuring that 100% of ZEV sales are new light-duty vehicles by 2035, implementing a cap on oil and gas sector emissions, Increasing the production and supply of renewable and clean electricity across Canada;

Low Carbon Economy Fund. Supporting businesses, Indigenous communities, universities, schools and hospitals, and towns and cities that have great ideas for fighting climate change (for example, a $10 million investment in Toronto for Enwave’s Deep Lake Water Cooling facility which uses cold lake water to cool downtown buildings in Toronto); and

National Adaptation Strategy. Working with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, Indigenous peoples and other key partners to develop a strategy to make communities safer and more resilient. This should help improve health outcomes, build and maintain infrastructure, protect the environment, support the economy, and reduce the risk of climate-related disasters.

Sharing their initial reactions to this list of measures, many expressed skepticism as to whether these actions would be achievable in the near future. A number of participants questioned whether it was realistically possible to meet those measures which had fast-approaching deadlines, such as the 2030 targets related to Canada’s commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement as well as the priorities put forward in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Some indicated a desire for further information regarding the specific steps that would be taken to fulfill these priorities while others suggested a greater focus be placed on regulating the activities of large businesses and corporations, believing these to be the highest emitters and responsible for the vast majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced in Canada. A small number were more optimistic, feeling that these measures were achievable but would require a concerted effort on the part of the federal government as well as Canadian businesses and households. A few participants were pleasantly surprised that the Government of Canada had pledged to assist developing countries such as Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal to adapt to climate change and protect their national biodiversity. This was felt to be an important action, with several expressing the belief that a global effort would be necessary for real progress to be made towards mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Prompted to indicate which among these initiatives they felt were most important towards addressing the threat of climate change, almost all participants identified the Natural Adaptation Strategy as a particularly promising measure. Several commented upon what they viewed as a community-based approach to this initiative, believing that Canadians would likely be more willing to participate in sustainability programs that would directly impact their local communities and from which they could observe the potential benefits first-hand. Many also reacted positively to the creation of the Low Carbon Energy Fund, focusing specifically on its goal of fostering innovative thinking as well as its incorporation of a diversity of voices and ideas in the effort to fight climate change. It was felt that by leveraging the creativity of individual Canadians, businesses, and organizations, the Government of Canada would be able to accelerate its progress on mitigating the impacts of climate change and the introduction of more sustainable practices going forward.

Several also were optimistic about the creation of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan as well as the federal government’s commitment to meeting or exceeding the emissions reduction targets Paris Agreement by 2030. Regarding the latter, a number reiterated the view that combatting climate change needed to be a global effort and that it was important for Canada to be a leader on this front. No participants selected the implementation of a national minimum price on carbon pollution. Most were of the view that this measure had been relatively ineffective in combatting climate change, sharing the impression that rather than limiting their emissions, oil and gas companies had primarily passed the additional costs of this initiative on to the consumer.

Asked whether they felt the Government of Canada was taking sufficient steps to fight climate change, most did not believe this to be the case. A number felt greater efforts would have to be taken to limit the industrial activities of large corporations, believing these to be the primary drivers of GHG emissions. It was also thought that more could be done within the federal government to ensure its various agencies and departments worked collaboratively on this issue rather than each pursuing its own individual activities to fight climate change. It was widely believed that a cohesive approach at the federal level would be key towards achieving success on this front.

Community Impacts and Adaptation (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants in this group engaged in a discussion about the impact of climate change on their communities, as well as the actions they had taken or were planning to take to adapt to its impacts. To begin, participants were asked to gauge the current impact of climate change on their respective areas. Though all felt that climate change was having some impact on their communities, a roughly similar number of participants felt these impacts to be minor as those who believed it had brought on major changes. Some cited extreme weather events and unpredictable weather as examples of the impact of climate change on the daily lives of those in their region, with a number specifically mentioning the severe flooding that had occurred in Hay River, NT in April 2022. Discussing an additional impact of what was perceived by several as increasingly unpredictable weather, some also mentioned that supply boats were having increased difficulty in reaching the northernmost communities of Nunavut, creating shortages of essential goods for those residing there.

Other visible impacts of climate change identified by participants included changes to animal migration patterns, which were thought to have impeded the ability of hunters to procure food, as well as ice taking longer to freeze in the winter months compared to previous years. Discussing potential future impacts of climate change, several expressed concerns related to the melting or collapse of the region’s permafrost. If this occurred, it was expected by participants that the structural integrity of many homes in their community would be damaged.

Focusing on their personal level of preparedness for the impacts of climate change, no participants believed that they had sufficiently prepared to confront this issue. Many were uncertain as to how they should personally prepare for climate change and voiced the need for greater communication from both local officials as well as the Government of Canada as to what steps they ought to be taking. Few could recall any recent actions taken by the federal government towards mitigating the impacts of climate change in their areas. A very small number mentioned the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF), which they identified as a funding program that aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. Suggestions for additional actions that could be taken included the development of climate change adaptation and readiness plan for Canada’s North as well as further information regarding what those living in the region should expect in the years to come and how to best prepare their individual households.

Agriculture and Fertilizer (Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers)

Participants residing in Southern Alberta and employed in the agricultural sector engaged in a conversation related to agriculture and the use of fertilizer on Canadian farms. To begin, participants were asked if they were aware of any recent activities undertaken by the Government of Canada related to the agricultural sector. Participants recalled a number of federal initiatives, including subsidies for to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture, the implementation of cover cropping programs, and commitments related to the On-Farm Climate Action Fund.

Several participants expressed dissatisfaction with the Government of Canada’s plan to encourage farmers to voluntarily reduce their fertilizer emissions by 2030. Reasons for this lack of support included the view that the targets were unrealistic given the need to maintain or even increase the current levels of crop yields and food production for Canada’s growing population. Several also shared the view that the Government of Canada had not adequately consulted with farmers regarding the negative impact these targets would have on the agricultural sector. Though all participants were aware that the plan to reduce emissions from fertilizers was voluntary, concerns were expressed that the targets could become mandatory in the future if the federal government felt that too little progress was being made. Participants shared that the cost of fertilizer was one of the highest expenses for their farms and that for financial reasons they already did as much as they could to reduce their use of the product. Rather than cutting back on fertilizer use, some suggested that the federal government should instead subsidize the cost for farmers to purchase more fertilizer so that they could increase their levels of food production. It was suggested by some that the plan to reduce emissions from fertilizer use demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding the high costs of fertilizer as well as its necessity to the agricultural industry.

Asked whether they believed fertilizer usage on Canadian farms had increased or decreased over the past 15 years, most were of the view it had gone down during this period as farmers developed more efficient usage practices. This reduction was felt to be especially prominent in recent years as a result of rising costs and supply limitations. A small number, however, reported that while fertilizer usage may have decreased across Canada, they were personally increasing the use of fertilizer on their own farms in order to produce more food and meet increased demand. Asked whether they believed increased fertilizer use was resulting in higher greenhouse gas emissions, many acknowledged that it was likely a contributing factor. Participants also believed, however, that emissions from other industries as well as household energy use should be targeted for reductions before fertilizer, given what was believed to be its fundamental importance to Canada’s food supply. It was also believed that the emissions from animal farming, in particular confined feeding operations, were increasing greenhouse gas emissions at a rate far higher than farms using fertilizer to increase crop yields. A small number also suggested that the federal government should not take any action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while other countries such as China and India continue to produce emissions in far larger quantities.

To aid in conversation related to the Government of Canada’s plan to voluntarily reduce fertilizer emissions by 2030, participants were shown the following information:

The Government of Canada is developing an approach to reduce emissions in Canadian agriculture. Efforts to achieve emissions reductions will focus on reducing emissions from nitrogen fertilizer, with a targeted 30% reduction by 2030 (compared to 2020 levels). Canada's emissions reduction target does not represent a mandatory reduction in fertilizer use, but rather a voluntary reduction in fertilizer emissions. The goal is to maximize efficiency, optimize fertilizer use, encourage innovation, and work collaboratively with the agriculture sector, farmers, and stakeholders in identifying opportunities to successfully reach this target while maintaining or increasing yields.

Asked whether this description provided them with any new information, all participants indicated that they were already aware of most of the details contained within the plan. It was widely felt that the federal government needed to provide further information on how it planned to balance reductions in fertilizer use while continuing to maintain or increasing current levels of food production. Some expressed concerns that low and middle-income Canadians may be negatively impacted by this plan, anticipating that a reduction in fertilizer use may result in food shortages and higher grocery prices.

Energy Issues (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Participants residing in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Nunavut who identified as being concerned about rising energy costs engaged in a discussion related to energy issues in their communities. Asked to identify the sources of energy they used for electricity generation most identified petroleum, specifically diesel, as the primary source for electricity in both territories. Some participants from the Northwest Territories added that their communities also frequently made use of other energy sources such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydroelectricity. Discussing the energy sources used to heat their homes many again mentioned diesel and natural gas, in addition to wood and heating pellets. Many expressed concerns about their use of diesel and LNG, in particular due to its perceived high cost as well as the adverse effects they felt that it was likely having on climate change and the environment, including the risk of contamination of local water supplies and ecosystems. A number of participants cited issues related to the contamination of Iqaluit’s water supply as an example of this risk. While acknowledging these concerns, it was believed by most that these energy sources were generally reliable and had been capable of meeting the challenges presented by the cold climate and remoteness of many Northern communities.

Focusing on nuclear energy, many expressed a lack of knowledge regarding this type of power. Upon hearing the term and considering its use in the North, several immediately called to mind concerns related to the potential of a nuclear accident occurring in or near their community that could potentially release nuclear radiation and cause radioactive contamination of the environment. Asked if the federal government should seek to increase the use of nuclear energy in Canada, none felt comfortable with this notion and many reiterated concerns related to the potential contamination of the environment and the possible impact of radiation on those in their community. A small number also expected that there might be prohibitive initial costs to constructing a nuclear power plant in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, given the relative remoteness of these locations to the rest of Canada. It was also suggested that the maintenance of a power plant, as well as the timely delivery of any materials necessary to operate the plant and generate power, could be limited by the unpredictable weather in the region.

Very few indicated previously being aware of small modular reactors (SMRs). To aid in the discussion, participants were provided with the following information:

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. SMRs, which can produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity, are:

Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor.

Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.

Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.

Upon hearing this information, participants were mostly positive in their reactions. It was thought by many that SMRs represented a compact, safe, and reliable source of power that could meet the needs of people living in Canada’s North. A large number believed that SMRs could serve as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to the diesel and LNG that were currently being used. It was also expressed by some that the thought of an SMR was less intimidating than a full-sized reactor. While several felt that the description of SMRs sounded promising, a number of participants commented that they would like to see an SMR in person and learn more about how it functioned before fully supporting its adoption in their communities. A small number reported feeling somewhat uncertain about SMRs and felt they would need additional information to determine whether they would be in favour of their use. Participants identified a number of areas about which they wished to learn more regarding SMRs. These included the average lifespan of an SMR and how often it would need to be repaired or replaced, how waste from these reactors would be safely discarded, the possibility of an SMR triggering a nuclear accident, the training required to operate and maintain an SMR, where in the region these reactors would be located, the maximum size of a community that could be powered by an SMR (or multiple SMRs), and whether this technology could be easily integrated with existing infrastructure and power networks.

Firearms (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Participants in the group from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) engaged in a discussion about local issues affecting their community, with a particular focus on firearms and firearm-related crime. To begin this discussion, participants were asked to identify the most important issues currently affecting their community. Participants offered a wide range of responses, including the increasing cost of living, a lack of affordable housing, challenges related to the accessibility of healthcare and services for seniors, a lack of support and resources for people experiencing challenges with addictions or mental health, and increasing rates of violent crime and firearm usage. Participants emphasized what they viewed to be the interconnectedness of these issues believing that challenges related to housing affordability and the high cost of living had contributed to higher rates of homelessness. In addition, it was suggested that increasing strain on the healthcare system was resulting in less support for those suffering from addiction or mental health challenges, further exasperating these issues and leading to more crimes of desperation in their communities. Other concerns mentioned included gang violence, a lack of comprehensive public transit networks, and difficulties accessing primary healthcare services, such as family doctors. Asked to evaluate the Government of Canada’s response to these issues, many believed that while it was aware of these issues and working to address them, the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly complicated these efforts by consuming the majority of the federal government’s attention over the past few years.

Many felt that safety was becoming an issue of considerable concern in their communities. Several residing in Hamilton reported that random attacks, including shootings and stabbings, had been occurring in the city on a regular basis as of late and that certain parts of the city had become unsafe. This rise in violent crime was believed to be an issue in all areas of the GTHA, including suburban and smaller communities outside of urban centres which had traditionally seen only minimal criminal activity. Many felt their communities were far more dangerous now than compared to previous decades. Asked about the level of gun violence in their own communities, many felt that it was increasing. A few, however, expressed uncertainty as to whether gun crime was actually rising or whether reports of these instances were more widely accessible due to the advent of the Internet and social media.

Focusing on the potential causes of gun crime, participants identified a wide range of potential factors. Several believed that the ability of law enforcement to stop gun crime had been impeded by instructions to take a more hands-off approach in recent years, including no longer conducting physical checks of those suspected of illegally possessing firearms. It was believed by some that so-called catch-and-release policies had allowed repeat offenders to commit gun crimes with relative impunity. It was suggested that this approach had also had the effect of providing criminals with the confidence to carry concealed firearms in public and provided them with the perception that there would be no long-term consequences for their actions. Poverty, gang activity, homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues were also cited as contributing factors for firearm-related crimes.

Asked if they were aware of anything the Government of Canada had done to address gun crime, several cited various past initiatives, such as the Canadian Firearms Registry, a ban on military-style assault weapons, and a recent national freeze on the purchase, sale, or transfer of handguns. It was believed by many, however, that those impacted by these measures had primarily been law-abiding gun owners and that these actions had little impact on deterring those who obtained their firearms illegally. Expanding upon this, several were of the view that the majority of the firearms used to commit crimes in Canada were illegally smuggled from the United States and that eliminating this firearm trafficking needed to be a key focus of the federal government’s policy towards gun control.

Participants next took part in an exercise evaluating a number of measures recently implemented by the Government of Canada related to firearms. These included:

Implementing a national freeze on handguns to prevent individuals from bringing newly-acquired handguns into Canada and from buying, selling, and transferring handguns within the country;

Taking away the firearms licenses of those involved in acts of domestic violence or criminal harassment, such as stalking;

Fighting gun smuggling and trafficking by increasing criminal penalties, providing more tools for law enforcement to investigate firearms crimes, and strengthening border security measures;

Addressing intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and self-harm involving firearms by creating a new “red flag” law that would enable courts to require that individuals considered a danger to themselves or others surrender their firearms to law enforcement, while protecting the safety of the individual applying to the red flag process, including by protecting their identity. In addition, the Government of Canada will invest $6.6 million to help raise awareness of the new law and provide supports to vulnerable and marginalized groups to navigate the provisions; and

Requiring magazines for long guns to be changed so they can't carry any more than five rounds; sales of larger magazines would be banned.

Discussing the national freeze on handguns, all participants expressed negative views. The view was reiterated that the vast majority of crime involving handguns in Canada was carried out via illegally sourced handguns and that this measure would have little impact in addressing the problem of gun violence. Focusing on the seizure of firearm licenses from the perpetrators of domestic violence or criminal incidents, many also expressed concerns. While several felt that the measure was well-intentioned, it was widely thought that an individual determined to commit domestic violence with a firearm would be able to find a way to source a weapon through illegal means if necessary and that this action would also only have a minimal impact. A small number were of the opinion that this measure did not go far enough and should be expanded to include anyone convicted of assault or other violent crimes. Discussing the implementation of a red flag law, participants offered mixed reactions. Though its efforts to prevent violence were supported, participants again stressed their perception that illegal firearms were easy to access and suggested that these laws could be easily circumvented. Others expressed concerns about the potential for retaliatory or false claims being reported against firearm owners and believed there needed to be a thorough investigation process for all claims prior to the seizure of any legally owned firearms.

Asked to evaluate the initiative related to the prevention of gun smuggling and trafficking, many felt that it sounded promising and would help address the prevalence of illegal firearms in Canada. It was believed by some that in order to enforce this initiative effectively, law enforcement officers would need to be provided with the ability to conduct searches on suspected criminals in a more comprehensive manner than what is currently permitted. Focusing on the ban on long-gun magazines with a capacity of greater than five rounds, participants expressed mostly negative views. It was believed that long guns were not typically used by criminals and this action would have little impact towards preventing gun crime. Moreover, it was believed that criminals interested in using a long gun could easily modify the size of a magazine to circumvent this rule.

Child Care and the Canada Child Benefit (Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Participants residing in Interior British Columbia (B.C.), who were parents of children under the age of 12, engaged in a discussion related to child care and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Asked to identify the biggest challenges concerning child care their province, participants offered a wide range of responses. Issues mentioned included a lack of availability of child care spots, the high costs of these services, the need to have significant trust in child care providers, and accessibility concerns for children with intellectual disabilities. Only a small number of participants reported having a child currently enrolled in child care. Asked if they were aware of any Government of Canada actions related to child care, a small number indicated awareness of recent agreements reached by the federal government and individual provinces and territories to provide affordable child care at a rate of $10 a day, on average, per child. To aid in conversation, participants were provided with the following information:

The Government of Canada’s plan is to lower the cost of child care to an average of $10/day and create 250,000 child care spaces across Canada by 2025-2026. In British Columbia, the plan is for average parent fees for regulated and funded child care for children under 5 to be reduced by 50% by December 2022.

Reactions to this plan were largely positive. It was expected that this plan would provide families with increased flexibility and allow both parents to work full-time. Several commented that they currently did not work due to the current high costs of child care, and that this initiative could be helpful in allowing them to return to the workplace. Others indicated that while they would not personally benefit from the plan, they supported it nonetheless, believing it was an important measure for those with young children. Asked if lowering the cost of child care was an important aspect of reducing the cost of living, all believed that it was. It was also thought that reductions in child care costs would help families save money for other expenses, including the purchase of a home.

Focusing on services and programs for parents more broadly, many identified the CCB as an important support for parents, and almost all indicated that they currently received it. Asked what they liked about the CCB, participants expressed enthusiasm about the consistency of payment, the fact that the benefit was recalculated each year to account for changes in income, and the assistance it provided in covering basic expenses. Discussing what they disliked about the CCB, participants pointed to the declining amount of the payment as their children grew older. The opinion was expressed that children only became more expensive to raise as they aged and that the benefit should be increased in correspondence with their age, rather than decreased. While several expressed appreciation for this benefit, participants generally felt that the amount they received was too little to have any significant impact on the cost of living, especially given the current level of inflation. Asked where they typically directed the amounts they received from the CCB, participants mentioned using it for basic expenses, including rent, monthly bills, gasoline, school supplies, youth recreation programs, and contributions to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs). Asked what additional actions the Government of Canada could take to continue supporting parents and families, several felt that more could be done to help families access the services family doctors and specialists, which were felt to be severely lacking in their area. A small number suggested that the Government of Canada could also provide additional funding for after-school programs for young children.

ArriveCAN (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs)

Participants residing in Ontario-U.S. border cities briefly engaged in a discussion regarding the ArriveCAN app. Asked about their awareness of this app, while many were aware of the existence of a mobile travel information app that had been developed by the Government of Canada, few could recall it specifically by name. A number of participants shared that they had not yet had to use the ArriveCAN app and mostly were aware of it through what they had heard in the news or word of mouth from friends and family. To aid in the conversation, participants were provided with the following information:

The ArriveCAN app is used by travellers returning to Canada. Launched in 2020, travellers were required to upload their contact information, travel information and quarantine plan to the ArriveCAN app. Once the quarantine requirement was removed, the app was used for travellers’ uploaded vaccination documentation. Although it is no longer mandatory to use the app for travellers entering Canada, they can still use the app to fill out a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) declaration form ahead of their arrival at customs.

Upon receiving this information, participants were next asked to evaluate the name of the app and whether it accurately represented the purpose it was used for. Most believed ArriveCAN to be an appropriate name for the app and thought that it accurately and succinctly described its use to travellers. It was also expected by some that the name ArriveCAN was distinctive enough to avoid confusion with other travel-related programs facilitated by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), such as NEXUS. A small number expressed concerns that the use of the word ‘arrive’ in the name of the app could prompt some to think it had a connection to the Canadian immigration process.

When asked if they would personally use the ArriveCAN app to complete and submit CBSA declaration forms the next time they returned to Canada from international travel, all participants expected that they would not. The primary reason shared by many was that they were simply not interested in the ArriveCAN and did not feel they travelled frequently enough to justify downloading and keeping it on their phone, given the limited space available on their devices. Some also shared that they currently held a NEXUS card and did not feel the need to download an app given their existing status as a trusted traveller. When asked, however, if their view might change if presented with evidence that using ArriveCAN would help them save time at the airport or going through customs, almost all believed that this to be an important consideration and would make them far more likely to use the app.

Appendix A – Recruiting Scripts

English Recruiting Script

Privy Council Office

Recruiting Script – October 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 (EDT)	Local Time	Location	Composition	Moderator
1	Wed., October 5^th	6:00-8:00	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	City of Toronto	General Population	DN
2	Thurs., October 6^th	8:00-10:00	6:00-8:00 (MDT)	Southern Alberta	Agricultural Sector Workers	TBW
4	Wed., October 12^th	9:00-11:00	6:00-8:00 (PDT)	Vancouver Island	Experiencing Climate Anxiety	TBW
5	Thurs., October 13^th	7:00-9:00	6:00-8:00 (CDT)	Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba	Mental Healthcare Workers	TBW
6	Mon., October 17^th	6:00-8:00	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	Ontario-U.S. Border Cities	Working Two Jobs	DN
8	Thurs., October 20^th	5:00-7:00	6:00-8:00 (ADT) 6:30-8:30 (NDT)	Atlantic Canada	Prospective Homebuyers	MP
10	Wed., October 26^th	6:00-8:00	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)	First Responders	DN
11	Wed., October 26^th	9:00-11:00	6:00-8:00 (PDT)	British Columbia Interior	Low-Income Parents of Children under 12	TBW
12	Thurs., October 27^th	8:00-10:00	6:00-8:00 (MDT) 7:00-9:00 (CDT/EST) 8:00-10:00 (EDT)	Northwest Territories & Nunavut	Concerned About Rising Cost of Energy	MP

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 UNLESS GROUP 10

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
City of Toronto	City includes: City of Toronto. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD RESIDE IN THE ABOVE-NOTED CENTER PROPER.	CONTINUE - GROUP 1
Southern Alberta	Cities/towns include (but not limited to): Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Strathmore, Taber, Coaldale, Drumheller, Redcliff, Raymond, Cardston, Pincher Creek, Claresholm. ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION. NO MORE THAN TWO PER CITY/TOWN. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 2
Vancouver Island	Cities include (but are not limited to): Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River, Parksville, Duncan, Port Alberni, Lady Smith, Sooke. ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION. NO MORE THAN TWO PER CITY. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 4
Mid-Size and Major Centres Manitoba	Cities include (but are not limited to): Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Steinbach, Thompson, Winkler, Selkirk, Morden, Dauphin, The Pas, Flin Flon. NO MORE THAN FOUR FROM WINNIPEG. NO MORE THAN TWO PER OTHER CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION.	CONTINUE - GROUP 5
Ontario-U.S. Border Cities	Cities include: 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 6
Atlantic Canada	Cities include (but are not limited to): Cities could include (but are not limited to): NS: Halifax, Dartmouth, Cape Breton-Sydney. NB: Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Dieppe, Miramichi, Edmundston. PEI: Charlottetown, Summerside. N&L: St. John’s, Conception Bay, Mount Pearl, Corner Brook. AIM FOR 2 PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH PROVINCE. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES WITHIN EACH PROVINCE. NO MORE THAN 1 PER CITY.	CONTINUE - GROUP 8
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)	Cities include: City of Toronto. City of Hamilton. Region of Halton: Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills. Region of Peel: Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon. Region of York: Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Stouffville, Aurora, King, Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Georgina. Region of Durham: Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Scugog, Uxbridge, Brock. AT LEAST 1 PARTICIPANT FROM EACH REGION. NO MORE THAN ONE PER CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION.	CONTINUE - GROUP 10
British Columbia Interior	Cities include (but not limited to): Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Penticton, Cranbrook, Salmon Arm, Trail, Fruitvale, Williams Lake, Dawson Creek, Nelson, Golden, Burns Lake, Lillooet. ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION. NO MORE THAN TWO PER CITY. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 11
Northwest Territories and Nunavut	Cities include (but not limited to): Northwest Territories: Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Smith. Nunavut: Iqaluit, Arviat, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE - GROUP 12

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

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

Under 18 years of age	IF POSSIBLE, ASK FOR SOMEONE OVER 18 AND REINTRODUCE. OTHERWISE THANK AND END.
18-24	ALL OTHER LOCATIONS, CONTINUE
25-34
35-44
45-54
55+
VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer	THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF AGES WITHIN EACH GROUP.
PARENTS IN GROUP 11 MAY SKEW YOUNGER-MIDDLE AGED (30s/40s).
PROSPECTIVE HOMEBUYERS IN GROUP 8 MAY SKEW YOUNGER-MIDDLE AGED (30s/40s).

4. ASK ALL GROUPS 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 CONTINUE IF GROUP 2

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

Construction

Educational Services

Finance and Insurance

First Responder (Firefighter, Law Enforcement Officer, Paramedic, etc.) CONTINUE IF GROUP 10

Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

Health Care CONTINUE IF GROUP 5

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 THANK AND END IF GROUP 6

Full Time Student THANK AND END IF GROUP 6

Retired THANK AND END IF GROUP 6

Other, please specify: ______________

CONTINUE FOR ALL (EXCEPTIONS FOR GROUP 2, GROUP 5, GROUP 6, AND GROUP 10).
ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH GROUP. NO MORE THAN TWO PER
SECTOR. NO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. GROUP 2 WILL ONLY BE IN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR.
GROUP 5 WILL ONLY BE IN HEALTH CARE SECTOR. GROUP 10 WILL ONLY BE FIRST RESPONDERS.

5. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 2 You mentioned you work in the agricultural sector. In which area of agriculture do you work? (OPEN-END)

Beef farming and feedlots

Oilseed and grain farming

Hog and pig farming

Poultry and egg production

Sheep and goat farming

Dairy and milk production

Other animal production

Vegetable and melon farming

Fruit and tree nut farming

Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production

Other crop farming (please specify): ______________

Other (please specify): ___________________

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

CONTINUE FOR ALL
ENSURE GOOD MIX BY FARM TYPE. MAY SKEW TO BEEF FARMING AND OILSEED/GRAIN FARMING.

6. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 4 How would you describe your level of concern about climate change?

Very concerned CONTINUE TO Q6a

Somewhat concerned CONTINUE TO Q6a

Indifferent THANK AND END

Not very concerned THANK AND END

Not at all concerned THANK AND END

Don’t know/Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

6a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 4 Which one of the following statements best describes your point of view?

I feel hopeful that with time, new technologies and policy initiatives will help mitigate the effects of climate change THANK AND END

I worry that the steps being taken to address climate change are not enough CONTINUE

I feel a strong sense of despair that the effects of climate change are negatively impacting myself and future generations CONTINUE

7. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 5 You mentioned you work in the healthcare industry. In which area of healthcare do you work?

Emergency Medicine THANK AND END

Geriatric/Long Term Care THANK AND END

Mental Health Services CONTINUE TO Q7a

Pediatric/Neonatal Care THANK AND END

Primary Care/General Practice THANK AND END

Public Health THANK AND END

Specialist/Secondary Care THANK AND END

Surgery THANK AND END

Other THANK AND END

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answerTHANK AND END

7a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 5 You mentioned you work in the field of mental health services. What is your occupation in this field?

Clinical Social Worker

Mental Health Counselor/Clinician/Therapist/Psychotherapist

Peer Support Worker

Psychiatrist

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse or Nurse Practitioner

Psychologist

Administration (e.g., receptionist, administrative assistant, bookkeeper, etc.) THANK AND END

Other (please specify): ___________

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answerTHANK AND END

CONTINUE FOR ALL.
ENSURE GOOD MIX OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE ROLES. NO MORE THAN 2 OF EACH.

8. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 6 How many jobs do you currently work? NOTE: This can include any full-time, part-time, contract, and/or temporary jobs.

1 THANK AND END

2 CONTINUE

3 or more CONTINUE

9. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 10 You mentioned that you work as a first responder. Are you a…?

Municipal police officer or other law enforcement officer

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer or other law enforcement officer

Firefighter

Paramedic/EMT

Other (please specify): ____________

CONTINUE FOR ALL
AIM FOR GOOD MIX OF FIRST RESPONDER ROLES. NO MORE THAN 3 OF EACH.

10. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 8 Do you currently or have you previously owned a home?

Yes THANK AND END

No CONTINUE TO Q10a

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

10a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 8 Are you looking to purchase a home sometime within the next 5 years?

Yes CONTINUE

Not sure/Maybe CONTINUE

No THANK AND END

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

SKEW TO THOSE WHO SAY ‘YES.’ NO MORE THAN 2 WHO SAY ‘NOT SURE/MAYBE.’

11. ASK ALL GROUPS Which of the following categories best describes your total household income in 2021? 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
GROUP 11 ONLY CONTINUE ONLY IF INCOME = <$60,000.

ENSURE A GOOD MIX IN ALL GROUPS EXCEPT GROUP 11.

12. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 11 Do you have any children under the age of 12?

Yes CONTINUE TO Q12a

No THANK AND END

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

12a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 11 Could you please tell me the ages of your children?

Child	Age
1
2
3
4
5

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY AGE AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN EACH GROUP.

13. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 12 How would you describe your level of concern about the cost of energy in your area?

Very concerned CONTINUE TO Q13a

Somewhat concerned CONTINUE TO Q13a

Indifferent THANK AND END

Not very concerned THANK AND END

Not at all concerned THANK AND END

Don’t know/Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

13a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 12 Over the next 12 months, do you expect your energy costs will…?

Increase significantly CONTINUE

Increase somewhat CONTINUE

Neither increase nor decrease THANK AND END

Decrease somewhat THANK AND END

Decrease significantly THANK AND END

Don’t know/Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

14. ASK ALL GROUPS 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.

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

Male	CONTINUE
Female	CONTINUE

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY GENDER IN EACH GROUP WHERE APPLICABLE.

16. 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.”

17. 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

18. 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 EITHER.

Participant has high-speed access to the Internet

Participant has a computer/webcam

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

YesCONTINUE

NoCONTINUE

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.26

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

Less than 6 months ago THANK AND END

More than 6 months ago CONTINUE

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

0-4 groups CONTINUE

5 or more groups THANK AND END

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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 a 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 – octobre 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 (HAE)	HEURE (LOCALE)	LIEU	COMPOSITION DU GROUPE	MODÉRATEUR
3	11 octobre	18 h-20 h	18 h-20 h	Ville de Québec	Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne	MP
7	18 octobre	18 h-20 h	18 h-20 h	Région du Bas-Saint-Laurent – Québec	Population générale	MP
9	25 octobre	18 h-20 h	18 h-20 h	Villes de taille grande et moyenne du Québec	Millénariaux, âgés de 25 à 40	MP

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 est la première langue que vous avez apprise lorsque vous étiez enfant et que vous parlez toujours couramment aujourd’hui?

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
Ville de Québec	Ville de Québec. LES PARTICIPANTS DOIVENT RÉSIDER DANS LESDITS CENTRES.	CONTINUER - GROUPE 3
Région du Bas-Saint-Laurent – Québec	Les villes peuvent notamment comprendre : Bas-Saint-Laurent : Amqui, Causapscal, Mont-Joli, Saint-Pascal, Matane, Saint-Antonin, La Pocatière, Métis-sur-Mer, Pohénégamook, Rimouski, Dégelis, Trois-Pistoles, Rivière-du-Loup, Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Sainte-Luce. ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES VILLES DE LA RÉGION. PAS PLUS DE DEUX PARTICIPANTS PAR VILLE.	CONTINUER - GROUPE 7
Villes de taille grande et moyenne du Québec	Ces villes peuvent notamment comprendre : Grandes villes = Population 100 000+ Pour les grandes villes : Montréal, Gatineau, Ville de Québec, Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Saint-Jérôme, Chicoutimi – Jonquière. Taille moyenne = Population 50 000-100 000 Pour les villes de taille moyenne : Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Chateauguay, Drummondville, Granby, Saint-Hyacinthe. ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES VILLES DE LA PROVINCE.	CONTINUER - GROUPE 9
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. Seriez-vous prêt/prête à m’indiquer votre tranche d’âge dans la liste suivante?

31 à 40
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	+ VILLES DE TAILLE GRANDE ET MOYENNE DU QUÉBEC = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE. TOUS LES AUTRES LIEUX, CONTINUER
25 à 30	+ VILLES DE TAILLE GRANDE ET MOYENNE DU QUÉBEC = GROUPE 9 TOUS LES AUTRES LIEUX, CONTINUER
41 à 54	+ VILLES DE TAILLE GRANDE ET MOYENNE DU QUÉBEC = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE. TOUS LES AUTRES LIEUX, CONTINUER
55 à 65
65 ans ou plus
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES ÂGES DANS CHAQUE GROUPE, S’IL Y A LIEU.

5. DEMANDER SEULEMENT POUR LE GROUPE 3 Lorsque vous pensez à la situation et aux perspectives financières de votre ménage, auxquels des groupes suivants vous considérez-vous appartenir ?

Aux Canadien(ne)s vivant dans la pauvreté

Aux Canadien(ne)s à faible revenu

Aux travailleur(-euse)s pauvres

À la classe ouvrière

À la classe moyenne

À ceux et celles qui travaillent pour rejoindre la classe moyenne

À la classe moyenne

À la classe supérieure

Aux Canadien(ne)s moyens

POUR LE GROUPE 3, CONTINUEZ POUR CEUX ET CELLES QUI CHOISISSENT « À LA CLASSE MOYENNE ».

ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE DE CELLES ET CEUX QUI CHOISISSENT « LA CLASSE MOYENNE » AINSI QUE D’AUTRES CATÉGORIES.

6. POUR TOUS LES LIEUX Laquelle des catégories suivantes décrit le mieux le revenu annuel total de votre ménage en 2021 – 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
POUR LE GROUPE 3, CONTINUER SEULEMENT SI $60,000-$100,000.

ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE, S’IL Y A LIEU.

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

Homme

Femme

ASSURER UNE PROPORTION ÉGALE D’HOMMES ET DE FEMMES DANS CHAQUE GROUPE.

8. 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 ».

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.18

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

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. PAS D’ÉTUDIANTS ÉTRANGERS.

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

Blanc

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

Chinois

Noir

Latino-américain

Philippin

Arabe

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

Coréen ou japonais

Autochtone

Autre groupe racial ou culturel (préciser)

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE : Préfère ne pas répondre

ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE.

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. 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 Moderator’s Guide

MODERATOR’S GUIDE – October 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.

Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders For the purposes of this discussion, we are going to be talking about what is happening in your respective communities, as well as how this is impacting your role as a first responder; but we will be starting with some broad questions first.
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders Please note we have resources that we will direct you to, should you need them or be interested in knowing more about them. These will be shared at the end of the discussion for your reference.

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA IN THE NEWS (5 minutes) City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs

What have you seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada in the last few days?

PRIORITIES AND PERFORMANCE (5-20 minutes) All Locations

In your opinion, what would you say the federal government is doing well? [Why do you say that?]
What areas do you think the federal government needs to improve in? [Why do you say that?]
City of Toronto, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials Has your opinion of the federal government gotten better or worse over time? Why?
City of Toronto, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs [In your opinion/In order to better support the middle class], what are the top issues that the federal government should be prioritizing?
- Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers NOTE TO MODERATOR: IF PARTICIPANTS SAY HEALTH CARE/MENTAL HEALTH, ACKNOWLEDGE AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL BE HAVING A MORE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON HEALTH CARE SHORTLY (I.E., AT THIS POINT, JUST WANT A QUICK RUN DOWN OF TOP ISSUES)
- Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers IF HOUSING IS RAISED: What are the implications of rising interest rates on prospective homebuyers?
City of Toronto, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs What news have you ever seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada’s past work on any of these issues?
City of Toronto, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs What work, if any, is the federal government planning to do on these files?

Middle Class Issues Quebec City Middle Class Canadians

Do you see yourself as part of the middle class? Why/why not?
In your opinion, do you think the federal government is doing a good job in supporting the middle class? Why do you say that?
In your opinion, has the federal government gotten better or worse at supporting the middle class over time? Why?
Are you aware of any work the federal government is planning to do on these files?

Climate Change Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety

IF NOT MENTIONED: What about the environment and climate change? How does the environment and climate change rank as a top priority? Why?
What, specifically, within the broader topic of the environment and climate change are you most concerned about? What specific areas do you think are the most important?
What work, if any, is the Government of Canada doing to help with the environment and climate change?
- Is the federal government doing enough?
  - IF NOT: What could the federal government do?
Has the federal government gotten better or worse at handling environment and climate change issues over time?

Northern Issues Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs

PROMPT: What about the top issues in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut that the federal government should be prioritizing?
Are you aware of any other work the Government of Canada has done, or is planning to do, to help the Northwest Territories and Nunavut?
Regarding these priorities, is the federal government generally on the right track or wrong track? Why?
- For those who say they are on the wrong track, what could the federal government do to get on the right track?
When it comes to listening and responding to the issues of those in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, would you say the federal government is generally on the right or wrong track?
- What are better ways for the federal government to engage with people in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut?

AFFORDABILITY MEASURES (25-35 minutes) City of Toronto, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12

Now, we’re going to talk a little bit about the cost of living…

I’m going to show you a list of current measures that the Government of Canada is offering or is planning to offer to address the cost of living.

SHOW ON SCREEN:

10% increase to Old Age Security (OAS): Increasing the OAS pension for seniors over the age of 75 by 10%, which could translate to over $800 in new support to full pensioners.
Affordable early learning and childcare: Working with the provinces and territories to offer universal early learning and childcare to Canadian families for $10 a day. [Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials Specifically related to Quebec, the governments of Quebec and Canada announced a federal transfer of funds that will go toward strengthening the existing early learning and child care system in Quebec and improving working conditions for educators.]
Benefits that are indexed to inflation: Benefits like the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement are all indexed to increase with the increased cost of living.
Dental care: Providing dental care to uninsured Canadians with a family income of less than $90,000 annually, starting with children under 12 this year.
Doubling the GST tax credit for six months: Doubling the quarterly GST tax credit so that single Canadians will receive up to an extra $234 and couples with children will receive up to an extra $467.
Enhancing the Canada Workers Benefit: A refundable tax credit that gives low-income workers up to $1,395 back for single individuals and up to $2,400 back for families.
Helping Canadians afford their rent: A one-time tax-free payment of $500 to qualifying Canadians who are struggling with the cost of rent.
What is your initial reaction to this list of measures?

POLL: Now I’d like you to select the ones you feel are the most important. You can select up to 3; if you don’t think any are important, then don’t select any.

10% increase to Old Age Security (OAS)
Affordable early learning and childcare
Benefits that are indexed to inflation
Dental care
Doubling the GST tax credit for six months
Enhancing the Canada Workers Benefit
Helping Canadians afford their rent

MODERATOR TO GO THROUGH SELECTIONS

Would any of these personally impact you?
- Quebec City Middle Class Canadians Would they impact the Canadian middle class, broadly?
Is there anything in this section that the Government of Canada should not be doing?
What else, if anything, do you feel the Government of Canada should be doing to address the cost of living?

JOBS (25 minutes) City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs

Let’s talk about the economy.

Thinking about the various priorities you mentioned [at the top of our discussion], where does the economy rank as a top priority? What makes you say that?
- What specifically, with respect to the economy, are you most concerned about? What do you think is the most pressing economic issue?
  - IF NOT MENTIONED: What about jobs? Where do jobs rank compared to the economic issue you just identified as being the most important?
Is the Government of Canada doing anything to create jobs? What are they doing?
When it comes to creating jobs, is the Government of Canada generally on the right or wrong track? Why?
- For those who say they are on the wrong track, what could the federal government do to get on the right track?

Now, I’m going to show you a list of terms related to jobs. We’re going to go through them to get your thoughts on what these terms mean to you.

SHOW ON SCREEN:
Clean jobs
Fair jobs
Good jobs
Green jobs
Jobs of the future
Sustainable jobs

ASK FOR EACH:

What does this term mean to you?
Can you provide an example of what a [DESCRIPTOR] job is?
What kind of worker would do this job?
When it comes to job creation, which types of jobs should the federal government be promoting?
Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety In your opinion, what are the top issues that the federal government should be prioritizing?
Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers FOR CLEAN AND GREEN ONLY: Are there types of jobs that you would not consider green or clean?
- Is it a good thing or a bad thing to differentiate between jobs that are green/clean and other types of jobs?

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY (10-15 minutes) City of Toronto, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials

Now I’d like to talk now about the Internet.

How would you rate the quality of the Internet available to you? (PROBE: Fast, slow, reliable, unreliable, etc.).
- FOR ANY NEGATIVE MENTIONS: Has your Internet quality ever impacted your daily life? How so?
How many of you are the primary decision makers when it comes to choosing an Internet provider for your household?
- When shopping for an Internet provider, do you feel that there are many options to choose from? Or do you feel like there is a limited selection instead?
- Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials What criteria are most important to you when shopping for an Internet provider? For example, do you typically choose a provider that is more affordable, or one that provides a better service?
  - FOLLOW UP: How do you factor in smaller Internet providers in your decision-making? (i.e., based on costs or service, etc.)
  - Are they as competitive as other well-known providers [(e.g., Bell, Videotron)/(Bell, Rogers)]?
In your view, is Internet service fairly priced? What makes you say that?
Should the Government of Canada have programs to support high-speed Internet access for all Canadians? Why do you feel that way?

Federal Government Programs – Access to Internet Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials

The Government of Canada has programs that support high-speed Internet access for all Canadians, especially in rural and remote communities.

Can anyone name any of these programs? Has anyone used any these programs? Was it a good/bad experience?

NOTE TO MODERATOR – NAMES OF PROGRAMS: Universal Broadband Fund, CRTC's Broadband Fund, Canada Infrastructure Bank, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Capacity Agreement, Connect to Innovate, First Nation Infrastructure Fund, Investing in Canada Program – Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream.

TOURISM (15 minutes) City of Toronto, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials

We’re just going to briefly talk about tourism…

How important, if at all, is tourism [for Toronto/in your area]?
Over the summer, did you notice any changes in tourism in [Toronto/your area]?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: For example, were there more or less tourists this summer? Any new tourism businesses? Any tourism business closures?
  - IF YES: How has this impacted the tourism industry?
Is there a labour shortage in service jobs in [Toronto/your area]? (PROMPT AS NEEDED: For example, in retail, transportation or food services?)
- How can you tell?
- Do you think this impacted the tourism industry? What makes you say that?
- Has this impacted you personally?
What actions could the Government of Canada take, if any, to reduce labour shortages in the service industry?
How else, if at all, can the Government of Canada support the tourism industry in [Toronto/your area]?

AGRICULTURE/FERTILIZER (30 minutes) Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers

Have you heard, read, or seen anything about what the Government of Canada is doing in relation to the agriculture sector?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: Have you heard of the Government of Canada’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizers?
- IF YES: What have you heard? How/where did you hear about it?
Over the last 15 years or so, would you say that fertilizer use on Canadian farms has increased, stayed the same, or decreased?
- IF INCREASED: Do you think increased fertilizer use is resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)?
  - IF YES: Is this a concern, or do you think it only has a small impact on the overall GHGs produced in Canada?

SHOW ON SCREEN:
The Government of Canada is developing an approach to reduce emissions in Canadian agriculture. Efforts to achieve emissions reductions will focus on reducing emissions from nitrogen fertilizer, with a targeted 30% reduction by 2030 (compared to 2020 levels).

Canada's emissions reduction target does not represent a mandatory reduction in fertilizer use, but rather a voluntary reduction in fertilizer emissions. The goal is to maximize efficiency, optimize fertilizer use, encourage innovation, and to work collaboratively with the agriculture sector, farmers, and stakeholders in identifying opportunities to successfully reach this target while maintaining or increasing yields.

[FOR THOSE ALREADY AWARE] Is anything in the description of the policy new information to you? [Probe on ‘voluntary reduction’ aspect specifically]
Do you support or oppose the Government of Canada reducing emissions from fertilizer? Why?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: How do you think this will impact climate change, if at all?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: How do you think this will impact farmers, if at all?
Do you think reducing fertilizer emissions is something Canada should be working towards, or not?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: Are there any reasons this should not be done?
In your view, should the Government of Canada be getting involved to ensure the agriculture sector reduces its emissions or do you think the sector will do this on its own, without any federal government involvement?
Do you think a 30% reduction by 2030 is too ambitious, achievable, or not ambitious enough? What makes you say that?

OIL AND GAS SECTOR (20 minutes) Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec

Moving on to a different topic…

Have you heard, read, or seen anything about what the Government of Canada is doing in relation to the oil and gas sector?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: Have you heard of the Government of Canada’s plan to cap emissions in the oil and gas sector?
- IF YES: What have you heard? How/where did you hear about it?

SHOW ON SCREEN:
The Government of Canada has committed to reducing the pollution generated in Canada that causes climate change. To help reach this goal, the oil and gas sector will be required to cap and cut the pollution they create.

This means that over the coming years, oil and gas companies will have to reduce the amount of emissions generated by their industrial activities. The cap will apply to the pollution their industrial work creates, not how much oil and gas they sell. In other words, companies will be able to continue producing oil and gas at the level of their choice, as long as they do so in an increasingly clean way.

Consultations are underway on how best to design a national system to reach this goal.

Do you support or oppose the Government of Canada capping emissions from the oil and gas sector? Why?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: How do you think this will impact climate change, if at all?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: How do you think this will impact the price of gasoline, if at all?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: What about the situation in Ukraine – do you think that should factor into whether the Government of Canada should cap emissions in the oil and gas sector, or do you think Canada is mostly unaffected, energy-wise, by what is occurring there?
Do you think reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector is something Canada should be working towards, or not?
- PROMPT AS NEEDED: Are there any reasons this should not be done?
In your view, should the Government of Canada be getting involved to ensure the oil and gas sector reduces its emissions or do you think the sector will do this on its own, without any federal government involvement?
Are there any circumstances under which you think it would be a good idea to boost oil and gas production?

RETIREMENT PLANNING (15 minutes) Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers

Moving on to a different topic…

How big of a priority, if at all, is retirement planning in your daily life? What, if anything, are you doing to prepare for your retirement? How do you feel when thinking about your future retirement?
How much of an impact, if at all, does the current cost of living have on your retirement plans?
- IF IT HAS AN IMPACT: Where are you noticing these impacts the most?
How important, if at all, are federal government programs like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in your retirement plans?
Do you think that programs like the CPP, OAS, and GIS will help you live comfortably in retirement?
What else should the Government of Canada do to help support those planning for retirement?

CLIMATE CHANGE (30 minutes) Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety

Now, we’re going to talk a little bit about climate change…

What your first reaction when you hear the term “climate change”? How does it make you feel?
Have you heard anything about what the Government of Canada is doing to fight climate change?

I’m going to show you a list of some measures that the Government of Canada is doing or is planning to do to fight climate change.

SHOW ON SCREEN:

A national minimum price on carbon pollution. Each province and territory has the flexibility to develop a system that works for their circumstances, provided it meets the national ‘benchmark’ criteria.
Meeting or exceeding Paris Agreement targets by 2030. Key actions include:
- Emissions reduction targets of 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030;
- Conserving 30% of land and marine areas in Canada by 2030;
- Helping developing countries adapt to climate change and protect biodiversity (for example, working with partners in Chile, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal to advance work that reduces methane emissions from the solid waste sector);
- Co-leading (with the United Kingdom) an initiative to phase out coal power.
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Key actions include:
- Ensuring that 100% of ZEV sales are new light-duty vehicles by 2035;
- Implementing a cap on oil and gas sector emissions;
- Increasing the production and supply of renewable and clean electricity across Canada.
Low Carbon Economy Fund. Supporting businesses, Indigenous communities, universities, schools and hospitals, and towns and cities that have great ideas for fighting climate change (for example, a $10 million investment in Toronto for Enwave’s Deep Lake Water Cooling facility which uses cold lake water to cool downtown buildings in Toronto).
National Adaptation Strategy. Working with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, Indigenous peoples and other key partners to develop a strategy to make communities safer and more resilient. This should help improve health outcomes, build and maintain infrastructure, protect the environment, support the economy, and reduce the risk of climate-related disasters.
What is your initial reaction to this list of measures?

POLL: Now I’d like you to select the ones you feel are the most important. You can select up to 3; if you don’t think any are important, then don’t select any.

- A national minimum price on carbon pollution
- Meeting or exceeding Paris Agreement targets by 2030
- 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan
- Low Carbon Economy Fund (supporting organizations with great ideas)
- National Adaptation Strategy (making communities safer and more resilient)

MODERATOR TO GO THROUGH SELECTIONS

What impacts, if any, do you think these policies will have on climate change?
Is the Government of Canada doing enough to fight climate change?
- IF NOT: What else could they be doing?

HEALTHCARE – MENTAL HEALTH (40 minutes) Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders

Federal Government Mental Healthcare Initiatives Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers

I’d now like to focus on healthcare...

Other than COVID-19, what are the most pressing challenges related to healthcare in your community?

NOTE TO MODERATOR: IF PARTICIPANTS SAY MENTAL HEALTH, ACKNOWLEDGE AND LET THEM KNOW WE WILL BE HAVING A MORE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE SHORTLY (I.E., AT THIS POINT, JUST WANT A QUICK RUN DOWN OF TOP ISSUES)

In general, how do you feel about the quality and availability of healthcare in your area?
- In general, do you think the healthcare system in your area is in need of major changes, minor changes, or few to no changes?
Have you heard of anything the federal government has done recently related to healthcare?
Thinking about mental health more specifically, what are the most pressing challenges related to this in your community?
Do you feel there is a need for governments to focus on improving mental health care in Canada?
Have you heard of anything the federal government has done recently to improve mental health care in Canada?
- Has anyone read, seen, or heard anything about Wellness Together Canada?

I’m going to show you an example of an initiative the Government of Canada has contributed funding to…

SHOW ON SCREEN:
Wellness Together Canada (WTC) is an online portal that provides free on-demand 24/7 access to a large network of mental health resources, including one-on-one sessions with a counsellor, mental health and substance use support resources, and participation in a community of support. PocketWell, a companion app to WTC, allows people to use their mobile device to complete self-assessments and access resources, track their mood day-to-day, and set reminder notifications for the self-assessment and Mood Meter.

What are your initial thoughts on this?

Here’s an example of another initiative:

SHOW ON SCREEN:
Talk Suicide Canada operates a national 1-800 suicide prevention line funded by the Government of Canada.

The federal government is also working to establish a three-digit (988) suicide prevention and mental health crisis line, which will launch by November 30, 2023. Once fully implemented, 988 will provide a single and immediate access point to 24/7 suicide prevention and mental health crisis support in English and French to anyone, anywhere in Canada.

What are your initial thoughts on this?

Finally, one more initiative…

SHOW ON SCREEN:
The federal government is helping to develop national mental health service standards, in collaboration with provinces and territories, health organizations, and key stakeholders. Currently, research is being done to inform the development of these standards, specifically on the improvement of service delivery, care, and health outcomes.

What are your initial thoughts on this?
How do you feel about the idea of national standards?
What types of issues do you encounter in your work that you hope they address by establishing national mental health service standards?
Now that I’ve provided a couple of examples of Government of Canada initiatives, are you aware of anything else it is doing to improve mental health in Canada?
- What else should the Government of Canada do?
  - And what should the Government of Canada do to support mental health workers specifically?

First Responders’ Mental Health Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders

Now, we’re going to switch gears and talk about mental health.

As a first responder, how would you describe the mental health of people in your profession?
- Over time, would you say it is getting better or worse?
What are the signs or symptoms of someone affected by mental health challenges?
When you are going through a difficult time, who or what do you turn to for support? (e.g., a friend, family member, meditation, alcohol, exercise, etc.)
- What are some of your coping strategies to deal with mental health challenges?
Are any of you familiar with any mental health support resources provided by the Government of Canada?
- IF NOT MENTIONED: Have you heard of Wellness Together Canada?
  - IF YES: Have you visited the website or accessed any of the services? If not, why not?
Is the Government of Canada a valid source for resources and tools on mental health and wellness?
If you were to experience a mental health challenge, would you be more likely to seek information and tips online? Through organizations? Helplines? Social media?
If you were to hear an advertisement on information about mental health and wellness, who should be delivering these types of messages?
- Does it make a difference who delivers the message?
- Should it be coming from someone you trust? Who would that be? Is there anyone who should not deliver this type of message?
Do you find it helpful to hear other people’s mental health challenges and journeys? How can they be helpful?

HEALTHCARE PRIORITIES AREAS (40 minutes) Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers

I’d like to shift towards general healthcare priorities…

Has anyone heard about any announcements made by the Government of Canada related to what areas of healthcare it is prioritizing?
- IF YES: What have you heard?

SHOW ON SCREEN:
The Government of Canada 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?

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

How would you expect the Government of Canada to address this priority? (PROBE FOR: Policies, investments, etc.)
- Do you have any questions about this priority? Do you have any questions about what the Government of Canada plans to do to address this priority?
- Is this something you think will have a positive impact? Will it impact you directly?

DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY (5-20 minutes) Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders

In a general sense, by raise of hands, do you think that the country is going in the right or wrong direction? (NOTE: ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO NOT RAISE HANDS FOR EITHER OPTION)
- (NOTE TO MODERATOR: This is a quick go around to get their thoughts. As necessary, you can let participants know that we will get into more details on how the government of Canada is doing specifically shortly)
- Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders ASK FOR EACH: Very briefly, why do you feel the country is going in the [right/wrong] direction?
- Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12 In the next few years, what do you hope your life will look like? Would it be similar to or different from today?
  - Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials What about in 10 years?
- Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials What about Canada as a country, what do you hope the country will look like in a few years?
  - What about in 10 years?
  - How would it compare to the country we have today? Would it be similar, or different?

BORDER CROSSING (15 minutes) Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs

Now, we’re going to talk a little bit about border crossing…

By show of hands, who is aware of the ArriveCAN app?
- IF YES: What do you know about it?
- Have you seen, read, or heard anything about it recently?

CLARIFY AS NECESSARY/SHOW ON SCREEN:
The ArriveCAN app is used by travellers returning to Canada. Launched in 2020, travellers were required to upload their contact information, travel information and a quarantine plan to the ArriveCAN app. Once the quarantine requirement was removed, the app was used for travellers’ uploaded vaccination documentation. Although it is no longer mandatory to use the app for travellers entering Canada, they can still use the app to fill out a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) declaration form ahead of their arrival at customs.

What are your impressions of the name used for the app “ArriveCAN”?
- Is it an appropriate name for this application? Why?
Next time you travel internationally, how likely would you be to use it to submit a CBSA declaration form? Why?
Do you think using the ArriveCAN app could save you time at the airport? If you knew that it would, would you be more inclined to use it?

ECONOMIC TERMINOLOGY (25 minutes) Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec

Shifting topics…

I’m going to show you some terms and get your thoughts.

SHOW ON SCREEN:
An economy which benefits all Canadians.
An economy focused on the welfare of Canadians.
An economy that is working for all Canadians.
An economy that delivers for all Canadians.
An economy that is doing the job for all Canadians.
An economy which provides results for all Canadians.
An economy which includes all Canadians.

Do these all mean the same thing, or do you see differences between any of them?

POLL: Now I’d like you to choose which one you prefer (respondents to select one only):

An economy which benefits all Canadians.
An economy focused on the welfare of Canadians.
An economy that is working for all Canadians.
An economy that delivers for all Canadians.
An economy that is doing the job for all Canadians.
An economy which provides results for all Canadians.
An economy which includes all Canadians.

MODERATOR TO GO THROUGH SELECTIONS

Now I’m going to show you a couple of other statements…

SHOW ON SCREEN:
We continue our work so that all Canadians can benefit from the economy.
We continue our work so that all Canadians can be at the centre.

If the Government of Canada had this kind of messaging, would it make sense to you?
Is it appropriate for the Government of Canada to have this kind of messaging?

POLL: Now I’d like you to choose which one you prefer:

We continue our work so that all Canadians can benefit from the economy.

We continue our work so that all Canadians can be at the centre.

MODERATOR TO GO THROUGH SELECTIONS

HOUSING (20 minutes) Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers

When it comes to home ownership, would you say you generally have a positive or negative outlook? Why?
Have you heard anything about the Government of Canada’s plan on housing?

POLL: Here is a set of initiatives by the Government of Canada on housing affordability. Please select the ones that you think will have the most positive impact on the housing market in Canada. You can select up to 3. If you don’t think any will have a positive impact, don’t select any.

Housing Affordability

- A Tax-Free First Home Savings Account allowing prospective first-time homebuyers to save up to $40,000 tax-free to put towards their purchase.
- Doubling the existing First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit from $5,000 to $10,000.
- A one-time $500 payment to Canadians facing housing affordability challenges.
- Expanding the First Time Home Buyers’ Incentive to allow more flexibility and making it easier for single Canadians to access.
- An additional $200 million to increase rent-to-own housing options.
- A $562 million investment over two years in funding organizations addressing homelessness, plus $62 million specifically to address homelessness among veterans.

MODERATOR TO GO THROUGH SELECTIONS

Would any of these personally impact you?
Is there anything in this section that the Government of Canada should not be doing?

POLL: Here is another set of initiatives. Again, select the ones that you think will have the most positive impact on the housing market in Canada. (REPEAT INSTRUCTION AS NEEDED: You can select up to 3. If you don’t think any will have a positive impact, don’t select any).

Protecting Canadians

- Ending blind bidding (blind bidding is where home buyers don’t know how much others are bidding).
- Creating taxation penalties to stop landlords from doing ‘renovictions’ (a renoviction occurs when a landlord evicts a tenant by claiming they will complete major renovations).
- A ban on all non-Canadians buying residential properties in Canada for two years.
- New taxation rules to deter house flipping.
- Making assignment sales of new and renovated housing taxable to deter speculators from buying homes and leaving them vacant (an assignment sale is when a seller sells their interest in a property before they take possession).

Would any of these personally impact you?
Is there anything in this section that the Government of Canada should not be doing?

NOTE TO MODERATOR: If participants ask why the Government of Canada is not building new homes, inform them that such measures exist but are outside of the scope of this discussion. Here is a list of measures for reference:

Building New Homes

A new Housing Accelerator Fund providing money to municipalities to build 100,000 new homes.

Repurposing existing infrastructure budgets to prioritize the construction of additional new homes.

Providing $750 million in new public transit funding to municipalities that commit their own money to building new housing.

An additional $1.5 billion investment over two years for new affordable housing units for those experiencing homelessness or domestic violence.

An additional $2.9 billion over four years for the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, which creates new low-income housing and repairs existing low-income housing.

An additional $216 million to incentivize developers to build new rental units that charge less than the average rent in the areas they are built in.

An additional $500 million investment to expand co-operative housing in Canada, with a pledge to give an additional $1 billion in loans to co-op housing projects.

An additional $150 million over two years for housing in the northern territories.

CHILD CARE (20 minutes) Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12

I’d now like to talk about child care…

What is the biggest challenge with child care in British Columbia?
Do any of you have kids in child care or are any of you in the process of making child care arrangements? (SHOW OF HANDS)
- How much does it cost you/do you anticipate it will cost you?
- How easy or difficult is 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?

CLARIFY AS NECESSARY: The Government of Canada has reached agreements with provinces and territories to make child care services more affordable.

When it comes to making child care services more affordable and accessible, do you have a sense of what that specifically could mean for you and your family? PROMPT FOR: Reduced fees, more spaces/making it easier to find spaces, etc.
- IF CAN PROVIDE AN ANSWER: When do you expect to see some of these changes take place? Have you noticed any already?

CLARIFY AS NECESSARY: The Government of Canada’s plan is to lower the cost of child care to an average of $10/day and create 250,000 child care spaces across Canada by 2025-2026. In British Columbia, the plan is for average parent fees for regulated and funded child care for children under 5 to be reduced by 50% by December 2022.

What is your reaction to this plan?
- What impact do you think this plan will have on your family?
When you think of various policies the Government of Canada could implement to reduce the cost of living, do you think investing to lower the cost of child care is an important one? Why/why not?

CANADA CHILD BENEFIT (15 minutes) Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12

I’d now like to talk more broadly about services and programs for parents…

What policies, programs, services, or benefits, if any, has the Government of Canada put in place that support parents?
- Has anyone heard of the Canada Child Benefit?
- Do you receive the Canada Child Benefit, or have you received it in the past?

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE CANADA CHILD BENEFIT, CLARIFY: For those who have not heard about the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), it is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. Payments are calculated based on their family net income from the previous year.

What, if anything, do you like about the Canada Child Benefit?
What, if anything, do you not like about the Canada Child Benefit?
For those who get the Canada Child Benefit, how do you use that money?
- How big of an impact, if at all, does the Canada Child Benefit have on your family’s cost of living?
What more could the Government of Canada do to help support parents and families?

COMMUNITY CHALLENGES (45 minutes) Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders

I’d now like to shift our attention to community issues more broadly.

What are the main issues affecting your community?
Do you think the Government of Canada is focusing about the right amount of attention to these issues, not enough or too much? What makes you say that?
Has the Government of Canada done anything well with respect to these issues specific to your community?
- What can they improve on?
What important issues facing your community do you think the Government of Canada should focus on?

Concern 1: Safety

Is safety an area of concern for your community? What makes you say that?
How would you describe the level of gun crime in Canada?
Based on what you may have read, seen, or heard, would you say that gun violence has been increasing, decreasing, or staying the same in Canada? What about in your community?
- IF GOING UP: Why do you think it has been going up?
- IF GOING DOWN: Why do you think it has been going down?
What’s behind gun crime? What are some of its causes?
Has the Government of Canada ever done anything to address gun crime? Are they doing anything now?
Has anyone heard about proposed new firearm legislation?
- IF YES: What have you heard?

CLARIFY AS NEEDED/SHOW ON SCREEN:
The Government of Canada has tabled new firearm-control legislation. The proposed legislation includes the following:

Implementing a national freeze on handguns to prevent individuals from bringing newly-acquired handguns into Canada and from buying, selling, and transferring handguns within the country.
Taking away the firearms licenses of those involved in acts of domestic violence or criminal harassment, such as stalking.
Fighting gun smuggling and trafficking by increasing criminal penalties, providing more tools for law enforcement to investigate firearms crimes, and strengthening border security measures.
Addressing intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and self-harm involving firearms by creating a new “red flag” law that would enable courts to require that individuals considered a danger to themselves or others surrender their firearms to law enforcement, while protecting the safety of the individual applying to the red flag process, including by protecting their identity. In addition, the Government of Canada will invest $6.6 million to help raise awareness of the new law and provide supports to vulnerable and marginalized groups to navigate the provisions.
Requiring magazines for long guns to be changed so they can't carry any more than five rounds; sales of larger magazines would be banned.

I’d like to go through each of these measures, starting with the proposed national freeze on handguns:

MODERATOR TO GO THROUGH AND ASK FOR EACH MEASURE:

What’s your reaction to this measure?
Is there anything you like about it?
Is there anything you dislike about it?

Concern 2: Healthcare

Is healthcare an area of concern for your community? What makes you say that?
Overall, how would you rate the quality of Canada’s health care system? What makes you say that?
And how would you rate access to health care services in your community? What makes you say that?

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 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?

ENERGY ISSUES (40 minutes) Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs

Are you aware of what sources of energy are used for home heating and electricity in your area? If so, what are they?
- What are your general impressions of these energy sources?
- Do you consider them reliable?
- Are they safe?
- Are they environmentally friendly?
- Are your energy bills affordable?
Compared to the issues you named as the most important ones facing your territory, how does energy compare? On a scale of importance, is it more important, just as important, not quite as important, or not very important to you?
How concerned are you, if at all, about the impacts of the energy sources currently used in your community on the environment? Why?
- How important to you is it, if at all, that Canada try to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas involved in producing electricity?
What first comes to mind when you hear the term “nuclear energy”? What are your impressions of nuclear as an energy source?

MODERATOR TO READ: Now bear with me, we’re going to get a bit technical for a moment. As a refresher, nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom. Atoms are tiny units that make up all matter in the universe, and energy is what holds the nucleus together. There is a huge amount of energy in an atom's dense nucleus. By splitting atoms apart (this is called nuclear fission) nuclear energy can be used to generate electricity. Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases and has accounted for 15% of the country's total electric energy generation in Canada in 2018.

Do you think Canada should increase the use of nuclear energy? Why or why not?
How would you feel about your community relying on nuclear energy to generate electricity?
- PROBE FOR: Perceptions of reliability, cost, environmental impact, safety.
Has anyone ever heard of Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs?
- If yes, what are your impressions? What do you know about them?

SHOW ON SCREEN:
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. SMRs, which can produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity, are:

Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor.
Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.
What are your impressions of SMRs based on this description? Are they positive, negative, or neutral? Why?
Do you think this technology is something that could be helpful in your community? Why/why not?
What other questions, if any, do you have about SMRs?

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS & ADAPTATION (30 minutes) Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs

Would you say climate change is currently having a major, minor or no impact on your community?
- IF YES: What have you noticed? Have these changes impacted your daily life?
In the future, do you think climate change will have a major, minor or no impact on your community?
- IF YES: What impacts are you most concerned about? (PROBE FOR: Impacts on housing, economy, health)
Is your community prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change? What about your household?
- What have you or your community done to prepare?
What would you like to see your community do to prepare for the impacts of climate change that has not been done yet?
Is it important for the federal government to help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change?
- Have you heard of anything the federal government is doing in relation to this?
  - What would you want them to do?

NORTHERN HOUSING (20 minutes) Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs

What is the housing situation like where you live?
- 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? (PROBE FOR: Municipal governments? Territorial? Federal?)
Are you aware of anything the Government of Canada has done to help with the housing situation in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut?
- IF YES: What has the Government of Canada done?
What would you like to see the Government of Canada do to help the housing situation?

CONCLUSION (5-10 minutes) All Locations

Before we close, is there anything else you would like to say to the federal government? It can be an additional point related to anything we discussed today, or it could be something you think is important but wasn’t discussed.

Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders Before we leave, I’m going to provide the number for the Wellness Together Canada phone counselling hotline. We have also linked the Wellness Together Canada website/support portal.

Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders SHOW ON SCREEN OR INCLUDE IN CHAT LINE: Wellness Together Canada phone counselling hotline (available 24/7): 1-866-585-0445
Link to Wellness Together Canada support portal: https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA

French Moderator’s Guide

GUIDE DU MODÉRATEUR — OCTOBRE 2022

DOCUMENT MAÎTRE

INTRODUCTION (10 minutes) Tous les lieux

Le modérateur ou la personne responsable du soutien technique doit faire savoir aux participantes et aux participants 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.
Premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton Pour les besoins de cette discussion, nous allons parler de ce qui se passe dans vos collectivités respectives, et de l’impact que cela a sur votre rôle en tant que premiers répondants; mais nous allons commencer par des questions générales.
Premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton Veuillez noter qu’à la fin de la discussion, nous allons vous faire part de certaines ressources, au cas où vous en auriez besoin ou seriez intéressés à les découvrir.

LE GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA DANS L’ACTUALITÉ (5 minutes) Ville de Toronto, travailleur(-euse)s du secteur agricole du sud de l’Alberta, Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec, personnes qui ressentent de l’anxiété liée au climat de l’île de Vancouver, travailleur(-euse)s en santé mentale de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Manitoba, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B., personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut

Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu au sujet du gouvernement du Canada au cours des derniers jours ?

PRIORITÉS ET PERFORMANCE (5-20 minutes) Tous les lieux

À votre avis, que fait de bien le gouvernement fédéral ? [Pourquoi dites-vous cela ?]
Selon vous, sur quels plans le gouvernement fédéral doit-il s’améliorer ? [Pourquoi dites-vous cela ?]
Ville de Toronto, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec Votre opinion du gouvernement fédéral s’est-elle améliorée ou détériorée au fil du temps ? Pourquoi ?
Ville de Toronto, Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec, personnes qui ressentent de l’anxiété liée au climat de l’île de Vancouver, travailleur(-euse)s en santé mentale de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Manitoba, personnes ayant deux emplois de villes frontalières Ontario–États-Unis, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B., premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton, personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut [Selon vous,/Afin de mieux soutenir la classe moyenne], quels sont les principaux enjeux dont le gouvernement fédéral devrait en faire une priorité ?
- Travailleur(-euse)s en santé mentale de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Manitoba NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : SI LES PARTICIPANT[E]S MENTIONNENT LES SOINS DE SANTÉ/LA SANTÉ MENTALE, LEUR INDIQUER QUE C’EST NOTÉ ET QUE NOUS AURONS UNE DISCUSSION PLUS APPROFONDIE SUR LES SOINS DE SANTÉ SOUS PEU (C.-À-D. QUE POUR LE MOMENT, NOUS SOUHAITONS SEULEMENT OBTENIR UN RAPIDE APERÇU DES PRINCIPAUX ENJEUX)
- Personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique SI L’ON SOULÈVE LA QUESTION DU LOGEMENT : Quelles sont les implications de la hausse des taux d’intérêt sur les personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement ?
Ville de Toronto, Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut 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 ?
Ville de Toronto, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut Quel travail, le cas échéant, le gouvernement fédéral prévoit-il de faire dans ces dossiers ?

Enjeux de la classe moyenne Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec

Vous considérez-vous comme faisant partie de la classe moyenne ? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ?
À votre avis, pensez-vous que le gouvernement fédéral fait du bon travail pour ce qui est de soutenir la classe moyenne ? Pourquoi dites-vous cela ?
À votre avis, le soutien de la classe moyenne par le gouvernement fédéral s’est-il amélioré ou détérioré au fil du temps ? Pourquoi ?
Êtes-vous au courant de quelconque travail que le gouvernement fédéral prévoit de faire sur ces dossiers ?

Le changement climatique Personnes qui ressentent de l’anxiété liée au climat de l’île de Vancouver

SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il de l’environnement et le changement climatique ? Où se classe l’environnement et le changement climatique parmi les principales priorités ? Pourquoi ?
Dans le contexte plus large de l’environnement et du changement climatique, qu’est-ce qui vous préoccupe le plus ? Ou encore, quels sont les aspects spécifiques qui, selon vous, sont les plus importants ?
Quel travail, le cas échéant, le gouvernement du Canada fait-il en matière d’environnement et de changement climatique ?
- Le gouvernement fédéral en fait-il assez ?
  - SI NON : Que pourrait faire le gouvernement fédéral ?
La gestion des questions liées à l’environnement et au changement climatique par le gouvernement fédéral s’est-elle améliorée ou détériorée au fil du temps ?

Enjeux du Nord Personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut

DEMANDER : Qu’en est-il des principaux enjeux dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest et au Nunavut auxquels le gouvernement fédéral devrait accorder la priorité ?
Êtes-vous au courant de tout autre travail que le gouvernement du Canada a fait, ou prévoit de faire, pour aider les Territoires du Nord-Ouest et le Nunavut ?
En ce qui concerne ces priorités, le gouvernement fédéral est-il généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie ? Pourquoi ?
- Pour les personnes qui disent qu’il est sur la mauvaise voie, que pourrait faire le gouvernement fédéral pour se mettre sur la bonne voie ?
Pour ce qui est d’écouter et de traiter des enjeux de la population des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut, diriez-vous que le gouvernement fédéral est généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie ?
- Quelles sont de meilleures façons pour le gouvernement fédéral d’interagir avec les gens des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut ?

MESURES POUR RENDRE LA VIE PLUS ABORDABLE (25-35 minutes) Ville de Toronto, Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec, personnes ayant deux emplois de villes frontalières Ontario–États-Unis, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B.

Maintenant, nous allons parler un peu du coût de la vie…

Je vais vous montrer une liste de mesures actuelles que le gouvernement du Canada offre ou prévoit d’offrir pour s’attaquer au coût de la vie.

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :

10 % d’augmentation de la pension de la Sécurité de la vieillesse (SV) : Augmenter de 10 % la pension de la SV pour les personnes âgées de 75 ans et plus, ce qui pourrait se traduire par des prestations supplémentaires de plus de 800 $ aux pensionnés touchant la prestation intégrale.
Des services d’apprentissage et de garde de jeunes enfants abordables : Travailler avec les provinces et les territoires pour offrir aux familles canadiennes des services universels d’apprentissage et de garde des jeunes enfants [pour 10 $ par jour]. [Millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec En ce qui concerne spécifiquement le Québec, les gouvernements du Québec et du Canada ont annoncé un transfert de fonds fédéraux qui servira au renforcement du réseau des services de garde éducatifs à l’enfance du Québec et à l’amélioration des conditions de travail des éducatrices et éducateurs.]
Des prestations qui sont indexées en fonction de l’inflation : Des prestations comme l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants, le Régime de pensions du Canada, la Sécurité de la vieillesse et le Supplément de revenu garanti sont toutes indexées de manière à augmenter selon la hausse du coût de la vie.
Soins dentaires : Fournir des soins dentaires aux Canadiens non assurés dont le revenu familial s’élève à moins de 90 000 $ par année, à commencer cette année par les enfants de moins de 12 ans.
Doubler le crédit d’impôt pour la TPS pendant six mois : Doubler le crédit d’impôt trimestriel pour la TPS, de sorte que les Canadiens célibataires recevront jusqu’à 234 $ supplémentaires et les couples avec enfants pourront compter sur 467 $ de plus.
Bonifier l’Allocation canadienne pour les travailleurs : Un crédit d’impôt remboursable qui permet aux travailleurs à faible revenu de récupérer jusqu’à 1 395 $ pour les personnes seules et jusqu’à 2 400 $ pour les familles.
Aider les Canadiens à payer leur loyer : Un paiement unique de 500 $ libre d’impôt aux Canadiens admissibles qui ont de la difficulté à payer leur loyer.
Quelle est votre première réaction à cette série de mesures ?

SONDAGE : Maintenant, j’aimerais que vous choisissiez celles qui vous semblent les plus importantes. Vous pouvez en choisir jusqu’à trois ; n’en sélectionnez pas si vous pensez qu’aucune n’est importante.

10 % d’augmentation de la pension de la Sécurité de la vieillesse (SV)
Des services d’apprentissage et de garde de jeunes enfants abordables
Des prestations qui sont indexées en fonction de l’inflation
Soins dentaires
Doubler le crédit d’impôt pour la TPS pendant six mois
Bonifier l’Allocation canadienne pour les travailleurs
Aider les Canadiens à payer leur loyer

LE MODÉRATEUR PASSERA EN REVUE LES CHOIX

Parmi ces mesures est-ce qu’il y en a qui vous toucheraient personnellement ?
- Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec Auraient-elles un impact sur la classe moyenne canadienne, globalement ?
Y a-t-il quelque chose dans cette section que le gouvernement du Canada ne devrait pas faire ?
Selon vous, qu’est-ce que le gouvernement du Canada devrait faire d’autre, le cas échéant, pour s’attaquer au coût de la vie ?

L’EMPLOI (25 minutes) Ville de Toronto, travailleur(-euse)s du secteur agricole du sud de l’Alberta, Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec, personnes qui ressentent de l’anxiété liée au climat de l’île de Vancouver, personnes ayant deux emplois de villes frontalières Ontario–États-Unis

Parlons de l’économie.

Si vous pensez aux diverses priorités que vous avez mentionnées [en début de discussion], où se situe l’économie parmi les priorités les plus importantes ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?
- Quel est l’aspect, spécifique de l’économie, qui vous préoccupe le plus ? Quel est, selon vous, l’enjeu économique le plus urgent ?
  - SI CELA N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il de l’emploi ? Où se situe l’emploi par rapport à l’enjeu économique que vous venez d’identifier comme étant le plus important ?
Le gouvernement du Canada fait-il quelque chose pour créer des emplois ? Que fait-il ?
En ce qui concerne la création d’emplois, le gouvernement fédéral est-il généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie ? Pourquoi ?
- Pour les personnes qui disent qu’il est sur la mauvaise voie, que pourrait faire le gouvernement fédéral pour se mettre sur la bonne voie ?

Maintenant, je vais vous montrer une liste de termes liés à l’emploi. Nous allons les passer en revue pour savoir ce que ces termes signifient pour vous.

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Des emplois propres
Des emplois justes
De bons emplois
Des emplois verts
Des emplois d’avenir
Des emplois durables

DEMANDER POUR CHACUN :

Que signifie ce terme pour vous ?
Pouvez-vous me donner un exemple d’un [TYPE D’EMPLOI] ?
Quel type de travailleuse ou de travailleur occuperait cet emploi ?
En ce qui concerne la création d’emplois, quels types d’emplois le gouvernement fédéral devrait-il promouvoir ?
Travailleur(-euse)s du secteur agricole du sud de l’Alberta, personnes qui ressentent de l’anxiété liée au climat de l’île de Vancouver Selon vous, quels sont les principaux enjeux dont le gouvernement fédéral devrait en faire une priorité ?
Travailleur(-euse)s du secteur agricole du sud de l’Alberta POUR « VERTS » ET « PROPRES » SEULEMENT : Y a-t-il des types d’emplois que vous ne considéreriez pas comme étant verts ou comme étant propres ?
- Est-ce une bonne chose ou une mauvaise chose de différencier les emplois verts ou propres des autres types d’emplois ?

CONNECTIVITÉ INTERNET (10-15 minutes) Ville de Toronto, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec

Je voudrais maintenant parler d’Internet.

Comment évaluez-vous la qualité du service Internet auquel vous avez accès ? (SONDER : Rapide, lent, fiable, peu fiable, etc.)
- POUR TOUTE ÉVALUATION NÉGATIVE : La qualité d’Internet a-t-elle déjà eu un impact sur votre quotidien ? De quelle manière ?
Combien d’entre vous sont les principaux décideurs en ce qui concerne le choix d’un fournisseur Internet pour votre ménage ?
- Lorsque vous êtes à la recherche d’un fournisseur Internet, avez-vous l’impression qu’il y a beaucoup d’options parmi lesquelles choisir ? Ou avez-vous plutôt l’impression que le choix est limité ?
- Région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec Quels critères sont les plus importants pour vous lorsque vous êtes à la recherche d’un fournisseur Internet ? Par exemple, choisissez-vous généralement le fournisseur le plus abordable ou celui qui offre un meilleur service ?
  - QUESTION COMPLÉMENTAIRE : Comment tenez-vous compte des plus petits fournisseurs Internet dans votre prise de décision (c.-à-d. en fonction du coût ou du service, etc.) ?
  - Sont-ils aussi compétitifs que les autres fournisseurs bien connus [(p. ex., Bell, Videotron)/(Bell, Rogers)] ?
Selon vous, le service Internet est-il offert à un prix juste ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?
Le gouvernement du Canada devrait-il avoir des programmes pour soutenir l’accès à Internet haute vitesse pour toute la population canadienne ? Pourquoi êtes-vous de cet avis ?

Programmes du gouvernement fédéral — Accès à l’Internet Région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec

Le gouvernement du Canada a des programmes qui soutiennent l’accès à l’Internet haute vitesse pour toute la population canadienne, surtout dans les collectivités rurales et éloignées.

Est-ce que quelqu’un peut nommer un ou plusieurs de ces programmes ? Est-ce que quelqu’un a utilisé un ou plusieurs de ces programmes ? Était-ce une bonne ou une mauvaise expérience ?

NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR — LES NOMS DES PROGRAMMES : Fonds pour la large bande universelle, Fonds pour la large bande du CRTC, Banque de l’infrastructure du Canada, Entente relative à la capacité — satellites en orbite terrestre basse (LEO), Brancher pour innover, Fonds d’infrastructure des Premières Nations, Programme Investir dans le Canada — Volet Infrastructure collectivités rurales et nordiques.

LE TOURISME (15 minutes) Ville de Toronto, personnes ayant deux emplois de villes frontalières Ontario–États-Unis, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec

Nous allons maintenant parler brièvement de tourisme…

Quelle est l’importance, le cas échéant, du tourisme [à Toronto/dans votre région] ?
Au cours de l’été, avez-vous remarqué de quelconques changements en ce qui a trait au tourisme [à Toronto/dans votre région] ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Par exemple, y a-t-il eu plus ou moins de touristes cet été ? De nouvelles entreprises touristiques ? Des fermetures d’entreprises touristiques ?
  - SI OUI : Quel impact cela a-t-il eu sur l’industrie du tourisme ?
Y a-t-il une pénurie de main-d’œuvre qui touche les emplois dans le secteur des services [à Toronto/dans votre région] ? (DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Par exemple, dans le commerce de détail, le transport ou les services de restauration.)
- Comment le savez-vous ?
- Selon vous, cela a-t-il eu un impact sur l’industrie du tourisme ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?
- Cela a-t-il eu un impact sur vous personnellement ?
Quelles mesures le gouvernement du Canada pourrait-il prendre, le cas échéant, pour réduire les pénuries de main-d’œuvre dans l’industrie des services ?
De quelle autre façon, le cas échéant, le gouvernement du Canada peut-il soutenir l’industrie du tourisme [à Toronto/dans votre région] ?

AGRICULTURE/ENGRAIS (30 minutes) Travailleur(-euse)s du secteur agricole du sud de l’Alberta

Avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu quelque chose au sujet de ce que le gouvernement du Canada fait en lien avec le secteur agricole ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Avez-vous entendu parler du plan du gouvernement du Canada visant à réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre attribuables aux engrais ?
- SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous entendu ? Comment ou où en avez-vous entendu parler ?
Au cours des 15 dernières années environ, diriez-vous que l’utilisation d’engrais dans les fermes canadiennes a augmenté, est demeurée la même ou a diminué ?
- SI ELLE A AUGMENTÉ : Pensez-vous qu’une utilisation accrue d’engrais entraîne une augmentation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) ?
  - SI OUI : Est-ce une préoccupation, ou pensez-vous que cela n’a qu’un faible impact sur l’ensemble des GES produits au Canada ?

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Le gouvernement du Canada élabore actuellement une approche qui vise à réduire les émissions en agriculture au Canada. Les mesures pour y parvenir seront axées sur la réduction des émissions attribuables à l’engrais azoté avec pour cible une réduction de 30 % d’ici 2030 (par rapport aux niveaux de 2020).

La cible de réduction des émissions du Canada ne constitue pas une réduction obligatoire de l’utilisation d’engrais, mais plutôt une réduction volontaire des émissions attribuables aux engrais. L’objectif est de maximiser l’efficacité, optimiser l’utilisation des engrais, favoriser l’innovation, et de collaborer avec le secteur agricole, les partenaires et les parties prenantes en vue de déceler les possibilités qui nous permettront d’atteindre cette cible tout en maintenant ou en augmentant les rendements.

[POUR LES PERSONNES QUI SONT DÉJÀ AU COURANT] Y a-t-il quelque chose dans la description de la politique qui constitue une nouvelle information pour vous ? [Sonder spécifiquement sur l’aspect « réduction volontaire »]
Êtes-vous favorable ou vous opposez-vous à ce que le gouvernement du Canada réduise les émissions d’engrais ? Pourquoi ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Selon vous, quel impact cela aura-t-il sur le changement climatique, le cas échéant ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Selon vous, quel impact cela aura-t-il sur les agriculteurs, le cas échéant ?
Pensez-vous que le Canada devrait travailler dans le sens de réduire les émissions d’engrais, ou non ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Y a-t-il des raisons pour lesquelles il ne faudrait pas le faire ?
À votre avis, le gouvernement du Canada devrait-il intervenir pour s’assurer que le secteur de l’agriculture réduit ses émissions ou pensez-vous que le secteur le fera de lui-même, sans l’intervention du gouvernement fédéral ?
Pensez-vous qu’une réduction de 30 % d’ici 2030 est trop ambitieuse, est réalisable ou n’est pas assez ambitieuse ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?

SECTEUR PÉTROLIER ET GAZIER (20 minutes) Travailleur(-euse)s du secteur agricole du sud de l’Alberta, Canadien(ne)s de la classe moyenne de la ville de Québec, personnes qui ressentent de l’anxiété liée au climat de l’île de Vancouver, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent

Passons à un autre sujet…

Avez-vous entendu, lu ou vu quelque chose sur ce que fait le gouvernement du Canada relativement au secteur pétrolier et gazier ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Avez-vous entendu parler du plan du gouvernement du Canada visant à plafonner les émissions dans le secteur pétrolier et gazier ?
- SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous entendu ? Comment ou où en avez-vous entendu parler ?

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Le gouvernement du Canada s’est engagé à réduire la pollution générée au Canada qui cause le changement climatique. Pour aider à atteindre cet objectif, le secteur pétrolier et gazier sera tenu de plafonner et de réduire la pollution qu’il crée.

Cela signifie qu’au cours des prochaines années, les entreprises pétrolières et gazières devront réduire la quantité d’émissions générées par leurs activités industrielles. Le plafond s’appliquera à la pollution créée par leurs activités industrielles, et non pas à la quantité de pétrole et de gaz qu’elles vendent. En d’autres termes, les entreprises pourront continuer de produire les quantités de pétrole et de gaz qu’elles souhaitent, à condition de le faire de manière de plus en plus propre.

Des consultations sont en cours sur la meilleure façon de concevoir un système national pour atteindre cet objectif.

Êtes-vous favorable ou vous opposez-vous à ce que le gouvernement du Canada plafonne les émissions du secteur pétrolier et gazier ? Pourquoi ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Selon vous, quel impact cela aura-t-il sur le changement climatique, le cas échéant ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Selon vous, quel impact cela aura-t-il sur le prix de l’essence, le cas échéant ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Qu’en est-il de la situation en Ukraine — selon vous, cela devrait-il être pris en compte dans la décision du gouvernement du Canada de plafonner les émissions dans le secteur pétrolier et gazier ou pensez-vous que le Canada est plutôt épargné sur le plan énergétique par ce qui se passe là-bas ?
Pensez-vous que le Canada devrait travailler dans le sens de faire réduire les émissions du secteur pétrolier et gazier, ou non ?
- DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Y a-t-il des raisons pour lesquelles il ne faudrait pas le faire ?
À votre avis, le gouvernement du Canada devrait-il intervenir pour s’assurer que le secteur pétrolier et gazier réduit ses émissions ou pensez-vous que le secteur le fera de lui-même, sans l’intervention du gouvernement fédéral ?
Y a-t-il des circonstances dans lesquelles vous pensez que ce serait une bonne idée d’augmenter la production de pétrole et de gaz ?

PLANIFICATION DE LA RETRAITE (15 minutes) Travailleur(-euse)s du secteur agricole du sud de l’Alberta

Passons à un autre sujet…

Dans quelle mesure la planification de la retraite est-elle une priorité, le cas échéant, dans votre vie quotidienne ? Que faites-vous, le cas échéant, pour préparer votre retraite ? Comment vous sentez-vous lorsque vous pensez à votre future retraite ?
Dans quelle mesure le coût de la vie a-t-il un impact, le cas échéant, sur vos plans de retraite ?
- SI CELA A UN IMPACT : Où le remarquez-vous le plus ?
Quelle est l’importance, le cas échéant, des programmes gouvernementaux comme le Régime de pensions du Canada (RPC), la pension de la Sécurité de la vieillesse (SV) et le Supplément de revenu garanti (SRG) dans vos plans de retraite ?
Pensez-vous que des programmes comme le RPC, la SV et le SRG vous aideront à vivre confortablement à la retraite ?
Que devrait faire d’autre le gouvernement du Canada pour apporter un soutien aux personnes qui planifient leur retraite ?

CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE (30 minutes) Personnes qui ressentent de l’anxiété liée au climat de l’île de Vancouver

Maintenant, nous allons parler un peu de changement climatique…

Quelle est votre première réaction lorsque vous entendez le terme « changement climatique » ? Qu’est-ce que cela vous fait ressentir ?
Avez-vous entendu quelque chose sur ce que le gouvernement du Canada fait pour lutter contre le changement climatique ?

Je vais vous montrer une liste contenant certaines des mesures que le gouvernement du Canada prend ou prévoit de prendre pour lutter contre le changement climatique.

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :

Un prix minimal sur la pollution par le carbone. Chaque province et territoire a la souplesse voulue pour mettre en place un système qui convient à sa situation, pour autant qu’il réponde aux critères nationaux de « référence ».
Atteindre ou surpasser les cibles de l’Accord de Paris d’ici 2030. Les mesures clés comprennent :
- Cibles de réductions des émissions de 40 à 45 % sous les niveaux de 2005 d’ici 2030 ;
- Conserver 30 % des terres et des aires maritimes au Canada d’ici 2030 ;
- Aider les pays en développement à s’adapter au changement climatique et à protéger la biodiversité (par exemple, collaborer avec des partenaires au Chili, en Côte d’Ivoire et au Sénégal, afin de faire progresser les travaux pour réduire les émissions de méthane provenant du secteur des déchets solides) ;
- Codiriger (avec le Royaume-Uni) une initiative visant l’élimination progressive de la production d’électricité à partir du charbon.
Plan de réduction des émissions pour 2030. Les mesures clés comprennent :
- Faire en sorte que 100 pour cent des véhicules légers neufs vendus seront des véhicules zéro émission d’ici 2035 ;
- Mettre en œuvre un plafond sur les émissions du secteur pétrolier et gazier ;
- Augmenter la production et l’offre d’électricité renouvelable et propre dans tout le Canada.
Fonds pour une économie à faibles émissions de carbone. Soutient les entreprises, les communautés autochtones, les universités, les écoles et les hôpitaux ainsi que les villes qui ont d’excellentes idées pour lutter contre le changement climatique (par exemple, un investissement de 10 millions de dollars à Toronto dans le système de refroidissement par eau puisée en profondeur d’Enwave, qui utilise les eaux froides du lac pour climatiser les immeubles du centre-ville de Toronto).
Stratégie nationale d’adaptation. Travailler avec les gouvernements provinciaux, territoriaux et municipaux, les peuples autochtones et d’autres partenaires clés pour élaborer une stratégie visant à rendre les collectivités plus sûres et plus résilientes. Cela devrait permettre d’améliorer les résultats en matière de santé, de bâtir et d’entretenir les infrastructures, de protéger l’environnement, de soutenir l’économie et de réduire le risque de catastrophes climatiques.
Quelles sont vos premières réactions à cette liste de mesures ?

SONDAGE : Maintenant, j’aimerais que vous choisissiez celles qui vous semblent les plus importantes. Vous pouvez en choisir jusqu’à trois ; n’en sélectionnez pas si vous pensez qu’aucune n’est importante.

- Un prix minimal sur la pollution par le carbone
- Atteindre ou surpasser les cibles de l’Accord de Paris d’ici 2030
- Plan de réduction des émissions pour 2030
- Fonds pour une économie à faibles émissions de carbone (soutient les entreprises, organisations et organismes ayant d’excellentes idées)
- Stratégie nationale d’adaptation (rend les collectivités plus sécuritaires et plus résilientes)

LE MODÉRATEUR PASSERA EN REVUE LES CHOIX

Quels impacts, le cas échéant, pensez-vous que ces politiques auront sur le changement climatique ?
Le gouvernement du Canada en fait-il assez pour lutter contre le changement climatique ?
- SI NON : Que pourrait-il faire d’autre ?

SOINS DE SANTÉ — LA SANTÉ MENTALE (40 minutes) Travailleur(-euse)s en santé mentale de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Manitoba, premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton

Initiatives du gouvernement fédéral en matière de soins de santé mentale Travailleur(-euse)s en santé mentale de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Manitoba

J’aimerais maintenant me pencher sur les soins de santé.

Outre la COVID-19, quels sont les défis les plus pressants en matière de soins de santé dans votre communauté ?

NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : SI LES PARTICIPANT[E]S MENTIONNENT LA SANTÉ MENTALE, LEUR INDIQUER QUE C’EST NOTÉ ET QUE NOUS AURONS UNE DISCUSSION PLUS APPROFONDIE SUR LA SANTÉ MENTALE SOUS PEU (C.-À-D. QUE POUR LE MOMENT, NOUS SOUHAITONS SEULEMENT OBTENIR UN RAPIDE APERÇU DES PRINCIPAUX ENJEUX)

En général, que pensez-vous de la qualité et de la disponibilité des soins de santé dans votre région ?
- En général, pensez-vous que le système de santé dans votre région nécessite des changements majeurs, des changements mineurs ou peu à pas de changements ?
Avez-vous entendu quoi que ce soit au sujet de ce que le gouvernement fédéral a fait récemment en matière de soins de santé ?
En ce qui concerne plus particulièrement la santé mentale, quels sont les défis les plus pressants à cet égard dans votre collectivité ?
Pensez-vous qu’il est nécessaire que les gouvernements se penchent sur l’amélioration des soins de santé mentale au Canada ?
Avez-vous entendu quelque chose que le gouvernement fédéral a fait récemment pour améliorer les soins de santé mentale au Canada ?
- Est-ce que quelqu’un a lu, vu ou entendu quelque chose à propos d’Espace Mieux-être Canada ?

Je vais vous montrer un exemple d’une initiative à laquelle le gouvernement du Canada a accordé un financement…

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :

Espace Mieux-être Canada (EMC) est un portail en ligne qui offre gratuitement un accès sur demande, 24 heures sur 24 et 7 jours sur 7, à un vaste réseau de ressources en santé mentale, y compris des séances individuelles avec un(e) conseiller(-ère), des ressources de soutien relatives à la santé mentale et à la consommation de substances, et la possibilité de participer à une communauté de soutien. Mieux-être, une application d’accompagnement à EMC, permet aux gens d’utiliser leur appareil mobile pour remplir les auto-évaluations et accéder aux ressources, faire le suivi de leur humeur tous les jours, et configurer des rappels pour les auto-évaluations et l’indicateur d’humeur.

Quelles sont vos premières réactions à cela ?

Voici un exemple d’une autre initiative :

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Parlons suicide Canada exploite une ligne nationale sans frais de prévention du suicide financée par le gouvernement du Canada.

Le gouvernement fédéral travaille également à la mise en place d’une ligne de prévention du suicide et de crise en santé mentale à trois chiffres (988), qui sera lancée d’ici le 30 novembre 2023. Lorsqu’elle sera pleinement mise en œuvre, la ligne 988 offrira un point d’accès unique et immédiat à la prévention du suicide et au soutien en cas de crise en santé mentale, 24 heures sur 24 et 7 jours sur 7, en français et en anglais, à toute personne, partout au Canada.

Quelles sont vos premières réactions à cela ?

Finalement, une autre initiative…

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Le gouvernement fédéral contribue à l’élaboration de normes nationales relatives aux services en matière de santé mentale, en collaboration avec les provinces et les territoires, des organismes de santé et des intervenants clés. Des recherches visant à guider l’élaboration de ces normes sont en cours, notamment en ce qui concerne l’amélioration de la prestation des services, des soins et des résultats sur la santé.

Quelles sont vos premières réactions à cela ?
Que pensez-vous de l’idée de normes nationales ?
À quels types d’enjeux êtes-vous confronté(e)s dans le cadre de votre travail et que vous souhaitez voir traités par la mise en place de normes nationales relatives aux services en matière de santé mentale ?
Maintenant que je vous ai présenté quelques exemples d’initiatives du gouvernement du Canada, savez-vous s’il fait autre chose en vue d’améliorer la santé mentale au Canada ?
- Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement du Canada devrait faire d’autre ?
  - Et que devrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour soutenir spécifiquement les travailleuses et les travailleurs en santé mentale ?

La santé mentale des premiers répondants Premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton

Maintenant, nous allons passer à un autre sujet et parler de la santé mentale.

En tant que premier répondant, comment décririez-vous la santé mentale des personnes qui exercent votre profession ?
- Au fil du temps, diriez-vous que cela s’améliore ou se détériore ?
Quels sont les signes ou les symptômes d’une personne aux prises avec des défis de santé mentale ?
Lorsque vous traversez une période difficile, vers qui ou vers quoi vous tournez-vous pour obtenir du soutien ? (p. ex. un(e) ami(e), un membre de la famille, la méditation, l’alcool, l’exercice, etc.)
- Quelles sont certaines de vos stratégies d’adaptation pour faire face aux défis de santé mentale ?
Est-ce que quelqu’un parmi vous connaît des ressources de soutien en santé mentale offertes par le gouvernement du Canada ?
- SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Avez-vous entendu parler d’Espace Mieux-être Canada ?
  - SI OUI : Avez-vous consulté le site Web ou accédé à l’un des services ? Si non, pourquoi pas ?
Le gouvernement du Canada est-il une source valable pour des ressources et des outils en matière de santé mentale et de mieux-être ?
Si vous étiez aux prises avec un défi en matière de santé mentale, serait-il plus probable que vous cherchiez de l’information et des conseils en ligne ? Auprès d’organismes ? Des lignes d’écoute téléphonique ? Les médias sociaux ?
Si vous deviez entendre une publicité présentant de l’information sur la santé mentale et le bien-être, qui devrait livrer ce type de message ?
- Qui livre le message fait-il une différence ?
- Le message devrait-il provenir d’une personne en qui vous avez confiance ? De qui pourrait-il s’agir ? Y a-t-il quelqu’un qui ne devrait pas livrer ce type de message ?
Trouvez-vous utile d’entendre les défis de santé mentale et le cheminement d’autres personnes ? De quelle façon peuvent-ils être utiles ?

DOMAINES PRIORITAIRES EN MATIÈRE DE SOINS DE SANTÉ (40 minutes) Travailleur(-euse)s en santé mentale de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Manitoba

Je souhaiterais que l’on se tourne vers les priorités en matière de soins de santé d’ordre général…

Est-ce que quelqu’un a entendu parler d’annonces faites par le gouvernement du Canada concernant les domaines de soins de santé auxquels il accorde la priorité ?
- SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous entendu ?

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 ?

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

De quelle manière vous attendriez-vous à ce que le gouvernement du Canada réponde à cette priorité ? (SONDER POUR : politiques, investissements, etc.)
- Avez-vous des questions au sujet de cette priorité ? Avez-vous des questions en lien avec ce que le gouvernement du Canada prévoit de faire pour répondre à cette priorité ?
- Pensez-vous que ce soit quelque chose qui aura un impact positif ? Aura-t-elle un impact direct sur vous ?

DIRECTION DANS LAQUELLE SE DIRIGE LE PAYS (5-20 minutes) Personnes ayant deux emplois de villes frontalières Ontario–États-Unis, région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B., premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton

De manière générale, en levant la main, pensez-vous que le pays se dirige dans la bonne ou dans la mauvaise direction ? (NOTE : PERMETTRE AUX PARTICIPANT[E]S DE NE PAS LEVER LA MAIN POUR L’UNE OU L’AUTRE DES OPTIONS)
- (NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : Il s’agit d’un tour de table rapide pour recueillir leurs avis. Au besoin, faire savoir aux participant[e]s que nous allons bientôt examiner plus en détail la performance comme telle du gouvernement du Canada.)
- Région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent, personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique, millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B., premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton DEMANDER À CHAQUE PERSONNE : Très brièvement, pourquoi estimez-vous que le pays se trouve dans la [bonne/mauvaise] direction ?
- Millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec, parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B. Dans les quelques prochaines années, à quoi souhaitez-vous que votre vie ressemble ? Serait-elle similaire ou différente de celle que vous avez aujourd’hui ?
  - Millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec Et dans 10 ans ?
- Millénariaux de centres de taille moyenne et grande du Québec Qu’en est-il du Canada en tant que pays, à quoi souhaitez-vous que le pays ressemble dans quelques années ?
  - Et dans 10 ans ?
  - Comment se comparerait-il au pays que nous avons aujourd’hui ? Serait-il similaire ou différent ?

PASSAGE DES FRONTIÈRES (15 minutes) Personnes ayant deux emplois de villes frontalières Ontario–États-Unis

Maintenant, nous allons parler un peu du passage des frontières…

À main levée, qui connaît l’application ArriveCAN ?
- SI OUI : Que savez-vous à son sujet ?
- Avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu quelque chose à son sujet récemment ?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN/AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
L’application ArriveCAN est utilisée par les voyageurs qui rentrent au Canada. Lancée en 2020, les voyageurs étaient obligés de télécharger leurs coordonnées, leurs informations de voyage et un plan de quarantaine sur l’application ArriveCAN. Dès la levée de l’exigence de quarantaine, l’application a été utilisée pour les documents de vaccination téléchargés par les voyageurs. Bien que son utilisation ne soit plus obligatoire pour les voyageurs entrant au Canada, il est toujours possible de l’utiliser pour remplir un formulaire de déclaration de l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC) avant d’arriver à la douane.

Quelles sont vos impressions du nom utilisé pour l’application « ArriveCAN » ?
- Le nom est-il approprié pour cette application ? Pourquoi ?
Lors de votre prochain voyage international, dans quelle mesure est-il probable que vous l’utilisiez pour soumettre un formulaire de déclaration de l’ASFC ? Pourquoi ?
Pensez-vous que l’utilisation de l’application ArriveCAN pourrait vous permettre de gagner du temps à l’aéroport ? Si vous saviez que c’était le cas, auriez-vous plus tendance à l’utiliser ?

LA TERMINOLOGIE ÉCONOMIQUE (25 minutes) Région québécoise du Bas-Saint-Laurent

Changeons à nouveau de sujet…

Je vais vous montrer quelques termes et vous demander votre avis.

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Une économie qui rapporte pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie centrée sur le bien-être des Canadiens.
Une économie qui se met au travail pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui livre la marchandise pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui fait le job pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui donne des résultats pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui comprend tous les Canadiens.

Est-ce que tous ces termes signifient la même chose, ou voyez-vous des différences entre certains d’entre eux ?

SONDAGE : Je voudrais maintenant que vous choisissiez celui que vous préférez (les répondant[e]s doivent n’en choisir qu’un seul) :

Une économie qui rapporte pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie centrée sur le bien-être des Canadiens.
Une économie qui se met au travail pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui livre la marchandise pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui fait le job pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui donne des résultats pour tous les Canadiens.
Une économie qui comprend tous les Canadiens.

LE MODÉRATEUR PASSERA EN REVUE LES CHOIX

Je vais maintenant vous montrer deux autres énoncés…

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
On continue notre travail pour que tous les Canadiens tirent profit de l’économie.
On continue notre travail pour que tous les Canadiens soient au centre de l’économie.

Si le gouvernement du Canada adoptait ce genre de message, cela aurait-il du sens pour vous ?
Est-il approprié pour le gouvernement du Canada de communiquer ce genre de message ?

SONDAGE : Je voudrais maintenant que vous choisissiez celui que vous préférez :

On continue notre travail pour que tous les Canadiens tirent profit de l’économie.

On continue notre travail pour que tous les Canadiens soient au centre de l’économie.

LE MODÉRATEUR PASSERA EN REVUE LES CHOIX

LOGEMENT (20 minutes) Personnes susceptibles d’acheter un logement du Canada atlantique

Diriez-vous que les perspectives en matière d’accession à la propriété sont généralement positives ou négatives ? Pourquoi ?
Avez-vous entendu quelque chose au sujet du plan du gouvernement du Canada en matière de logement ?

SONDAGE : Voici une série d’initiatives du gouvernement du Canada en matière d’abordabilité du logement. Veuillez choisir celles qui, selon vous, auront le plus d’impact positif sur le marché du logement au Canada. Vous pouvez en choisir jusqu’à trois. Si vous pensez qu’aucune n’aurait un impact positif, n’en choisissez pas.

Abordabilité du logement

- Le Compte d’épargne libre d’impôt pour l’achat d’une première propriété, qui permet aux acheteurs éventuels d’une première maison d’épargner jusqu’à 40 000 $ libres d’impôt pour faire l’acquisition.
- Doubler le montant du crédit d’impôt pour l’achat d’une première habitation de 5 000 $ à 10 000 $.
- Un paiement unique de 500 $ aux personnes qui font face à des difficultés d’accès au logement abordable.
- Élargir l’Incitatif à l’achat d’une première propriété afin d’offrir plus de souplesse et de faciliter l’accès pour les Canadiens et Canadiennes sans conjoint ou conjointe.
- Un montant supplémentaire de 200 millions de dollars visant à accroître les possibilités de location avec option d’achat.
- Un investissement de 562 millions de dollars sur deux ans pour financer les organismes qui luttent contre l’itinérance, ainsi que 62 millions de dollars pour combattre l’itinérance chez les vétérans.

LE MODÉRATEUR PASSERA EN REVUE LES CHOIX

Parmi ces éléments est-ce qu’il y en a qui vous toucheraient personnellement ?
Y a-t-il quelque chose dans cette section que le gouvernement du Canada ne devrait pas faire ?

SONDAGE : Voici une autre série d’initiatives. Une fois de plus, veuillez choisir celles qui, selon vous, auront l’impact le plus positif sur le marché du logement au Canada. (RÉPÉTER LES INSTRUCTIONS AU BESOIN : Vous pouvez en choisir jusqu’à trois. Si vous pensez qu’aucune n’aurait un impact positif, n’en choisissez pas.)

Protéger les Canadiens

- Mettre fin aux offres à l’aveugle (les offres à l’aveugle sont celles où les acheteurs ne connaissent pas l’offre des autres).
- Créer des pénalités fiscales pour empêcher les propriétaires de procéder à des « réno-évictions » (une réno-éviction survient lorsqu’un propriétaire évince un locataire en prétextant qu’il effectuera des rénovations majeures).
- Interdire aux non-Canadiens d’acheter des propriétés résidentielles au Canada pour une période de deux ans.
- De nouvelles règles fiscales visant à décourager les opérations immobilières de vente-achat (flip immobilier).
- Rendre les cessions de contrat de vente de logements neufs et rénovés taxables afin de dissuader les spéculateurs d’acheter des propriétés résidentielles et de les laisser vacantes (une cession de contrat de vente est une opération par laquelle un vendeur vend ses intérêts dans une propriété avant d’en prendre possession).

Parmi ces éléments est-ce qu’il y en a qui vous toucheraient personnellement ?
Y a-t-il quelque chose dans cette section que le gouvernement du Canada ne devrait pas faire ?

NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : Si les participant(e)s demandent pourquoi le gouvernement du Canada ne construit pas de nouvelles maisons, informez-les que de telles mesures existent, mais qu’elles sortent du cadre de cette discussion. Voici une liste de mesures à titre de référence :

Construction de logements neufs

Un nouveau Fonds pour accélérer la construction de logements versera de l’argent aux municipalités dans le but de construire 100 000 nouveaux logements.

Réaffecter les budgets d’infrastructure existants pour prioriser la construction de nouveaux logements supplémentaires.

Investir 750 millions de dollars de nouveaux fonds pour le transport en commun aux municipalités qui s’engagent à investir leurs propres fonds dans la construction de nouveaux logements.

Un investissement supplémentaire de 1,5 milliard de dollars sur deux ans pour la construction de nouveaux logements abordables destinés aux personnes en situation d’itinérance ou de violence familiale.

Un montant supplémentaire de 2,9 milliards de dollars sur quatre ans pour le Fonds national de co-investissement pour le logement qui contribue à créer de nouveaux logements ainsi qu’à réparer des logements existants pour les personnes à faible revenu.

Des fonds supplémentaires de 216 millions de dollars pour inciter les promoteurs à construire de nouveaux logements locatifs dont le prix de location est inférieur au prix moyen dans les zones où ils sont construits.

Un investissement supplémentaire de 500 millions de dollars visant à augmenter le nombre de coopératives d’habitation au Canada, avec la promesse d’accorder un milliard de dollars de plus en prêts aux projets de coopératives d’habitation.

Des fonds supplémentaires de 150 millions de dollars sur deux ans pour le logement dans les territoires du Nord.

LA GARDE DE JEUNES ENFANTS (20 minutes) Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B.

Je voudrais maintenant parler de garde de jeunes enfants…

Quel est le plus grand défi en matière de garde de jeunes enfants en Colombie-Britannique ?
Y en a-t-il parmi vous qui ont des enfants en garderie ou qui se préparent à faire garder leurs enfants ? (À MAIN LEVÉE)
- Combien cela vous coûte-t-il ou estimez-vous que cela vous coûtera ?
- 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 ?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN : Le gouvernement du Canada a conclu des ententes avec toutes les provinces et territoires pour rendre les services de garde des jeunes enfants plus abordable.

Lorsqu’il est question de rendre les services de garde d’enfants plus abordables et accessibles, avez-vous une idée de ce que cela pourrait signifier concrètement pour vous et votre famille ? SONDER POUR : Réduction des frais, un plus grand nombre de places/faire en sorte qu’il soit plus facile de trouver des places, etc.
- SI L’ON PEUT OFFRIR UNE RÉPONSE : D’ici quand vous attendez-vous à voir certains de ces changements se produire ? En avez-vous déjà constaté ?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN : Le plan du gouvernement du Canada vise à réduire les frais de garde d’enfants à 10 $ par jour en moyenne et à créer 250 000 places en garderie au Canada d’ici 2025-2026. En Colombie-Britannique, le plan prévoit de réduire les frais de garde moyens à la charge des parents pour les services de garde réglementés et subventionnés destinés aux enfants de 0 à 5 ans de 50 % d’ici décembre 2022.

Quelle est votre réaction à ce plan ?
- Quel impact, selon vous, ce plan aurait-il sur votre famille ?
Lorsque vous pensez aux diverses politiques que le gouvernement du Canada pourrait mettre en œuvre pour réduire le coût de la vie, pensez-vous qu’investir pour réduire les frais de garde des jeunes enfants en est une qui est importante ? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ?

ALLOCATION CANADIENNE POUR ENFANTS (15 minutes) Parents d’enfants de moins de 12 ans à faible revenu de l’intérieur de la C.-B.

Je voudrais maintenant parler plus largement des services et programmes destinés aux parents…

Quels politiques, programmes, services ou prestations, le cas échéant, le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il mis en place pour soutenir les parents ?
- Est-ce que quelqu’un a entendu parler de l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants ?
- Recevez-vous l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants, ou l’avez-vous déjà reçue dans le passé ?

POUR LES PERSONNES QUI N’ONT PAS ENTENDU PARLER DE L’ALLOCATION CANADIENNE POUR ENFANTS, CLARIFIER : Pour les personnes qui n’ont pas entendu parler de l’allocation canadienne pour enfants (ACE), il s’agit d’un versement mensuel non imposable fait aux familles admissibles pour les aider à subvenir aux besoins de leurs enfants de moins de 18 ans. Les versements sont calculés en fonction du revenu familial net de l’année précédente.

Qu’est-ce qui vous plaît, le cas échéant, de l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants ?
Qu’est-ce qui vous déplaît, le cas échéant, de l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants ?
Pour les personnes qui reçoivent l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants, comment utilisez-vous cet argent ?
- Dans quelle mesure l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants a-t-elle un impact, le cas échéant, sur le coût de la vie de votre famille ?
Que pourrait faire de plus le gouvernement du Canada pour aider à soutenir les parents et les familles ?

DÉFIS POUR LES COLLECTIVITÉS (45 minutes) Premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton

J’aimerais maintenant qu’on porte notre attention sur les enjeux relatifs aux collectivités de manière plus générale.

Quels sont les principaux enjeux qui touchent votre collectivité ?
En ce qui concerne ces enjeux, pensez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada leur accorde l’attention qu’ils méritent, pas assez ou trop ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?
Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il fait quelque chose de bien en ce qui concerne ces enjeux propres à votre collectivité ?
- Que peut-il améliorer ?
Quels sont les enjeux importants auxquels votre collectivité est confrontée et sur lesquels, selon vous, le gouvernement du Canada devrait se concentrer ?

Préoccupation n^o 1 : La sécurité

La sécurité est-elle un sujet de préoccupation pour votre communauté ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?
Comment décririez-vous le niveau de crimes commis avec des armes à feu au Canada ?
D’après ce que vous avez pu lire, voir ou entendre, diriez-vous que la violence armée augmente, diminue ou reste la même au Canada ? Qu’en est-il dans votre collectivité ?
- SI ELLE A AUGMENTÉ : Pourquoi pensez-vous qu’elle a augmenté ?
- SI ELLE A DIMINUÉ : Pourquoi pensez-vous qu’elle a diminué ?
Qu’est-ce qui se cache derrière les crimes commis avec des armes à feu ? Quelles sont certaines de ses causes ?
Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il déjà fait quelque chose pour lutter contre les crimes commis avec des armes à feu ? Fait-il quelque chose maintenant ?
Y en a-t-il qui ont entendu parler de la nouvelle loi proposée sur les armes à feu ?
- SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous entendu ?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT AU BESOIN/AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Le gouvernement du Canada a déposé un nouveau projet de loi sur le contrôle des armes à feu. Celui-ci comprend les mesures suivantes :

Mise en œuvre d’un gel national des armes de poing afin d’empêcher les gens d’apporter au Canada des armes de poing nouvellement acquises ou de les acheter, de les vendre et de les transférer dans le pays.
Révocation des permis d’armes à feu des personnes impliquées dans des actes de violence domestique ou de harcèlement criminel.
Lutte contre la contrebande et le trafic d’armes à feu au moyen de sanctions pénales plus sévères, d’outils supplémentaires permettant aux forces de l’ordre d’enquêter sur les crimes commis avec des armes à feu et de mesures de sécurité renforcées aux frontières.
Lutte contre la violence conjugale, la violence fondée sur le sexe et l’automutilation au moyen d’une arme à feu grâce à une loi « drapeau rouge » qui permettrait aux tribunaux d’exiger que les personnes considérées comme un danger pour elles-mêmes ou pour autrui remettent leurs armes à feu aux forces de l’ordre, tout en assurant la sécurité de la personne qui présente une demande dans le cadre du processus « drapeau rouge », notamment en protégeant son identité. De plus, le gouvernement investira 6,6 millions de dollars pour mieux faire connaître cette nouvelle loi et aider les groupes vulnérables et marginalisés à en consulter les dispositions.
Exiger la modification des chargeurs d’armes d’épaule pour qu’ils ne puissent jamais contenir plus de cinq cartouches ; la vente des chargeurs à plus grande capacité serait interdite.

J’aimerais passer en revue chacune de ces mesures, en commençant par le gel national proposé sur les armes de poing :

LE MODÉRATEUR PASSERA EN REVUE CHACUNE DES MESURES ET DEMANDERA :

Quelle est votre réaction à cette mesure ?
Y a-t-il quelque chose concernant celle-ci qui vous plaît ?
Y a-t-il quelque chose concernant celle-ci qui vous déplaît ?

Préoccupation n^o 2 : Les soins de santé

Les soins de santé sont-ils un sujet de préoccupation pour votre collectivité ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?
Dans l’ensemble, comment évalueriez-vous la qualité du système de soins de santé dans votre collectivité ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?
Et comment évalueriez-vous l’accès aux services de soins de santé dans votre collectivité ? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela ?

Maintenant, en pensant 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 ?

ENJEUX EN MATIÈRE D’ÉNERGIE (40 minutes) Personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut

Savez-vous quelles sources d’énergie sont utilisées pour le chauffage résidentiel et pour la production d’électricité dans votre région ? Si oui, quelles sont-elles ?
- Quelles sont vos impressions générales concernant ces sources d’énergie ?
- Estimez-vous qu’elles sont fiables ?
- Sont-elles sécuritaires ?
- Sont-elles respectueuses de l’environnement ?
- Vos factures d’énergie sont-elles abordables ?
Par rapport aux enjeux que vous avez nommés comme étant les plus importants auxquels votre territoire est confronté, comment se compare celui de l’énergie ? Sur une échelle d’importance, est-ce plus important, tout aussi important, pas aussi important ou pas très important pour vous ?
Dans quelle mesure les impacts sur l’environnement des sources d’énergie actuellement utilisées dans votre collectivité vous préoccupent-ils, le cas échéant ? Pourquoi ? Pourquoi ?
- Dans quelle mesure est-il important pour vous, le cas échéant, que le Canada essaie de réduire la quantité de gaz à effet de serre liée à la production d’électricité ?
Qu’elle est la première chose qui vous vient à l’esprit lorsque vous entendez le terme « énergie nucléaire » ? Quelles sont vos impressions sur le nucléaire comme source d’énergie ?

LE MODÉRATEUR DOIT LIRE : Maintenant, permettez-moi d’être un peu technique pour un moment. À titre de rappel, l’énergie nucléaire est l’énergie contenue dans le noyau, ou le cœur, d’un atome. Les atomes sont de minuscules unités qui composent toute la matière de l’univers, et l’énergie est ce qui maintient le noyau ensemble. Il y a une énorme quantité d’énergie dans le noyau dense d’un atome. En divisant les atomes (c’est ce qu’on appelle la fission nucléaire), l’énergie nucléaire peut être utilisée pour produire de l’électricité. L’énergie nucléaire n’émet pas de gaz à effet de serre et représentait 15 % de la production totale d’énergie électrique au Canada en 2018.

Pensez-vous que le Canada devrait augmenter son utilisation de l’énergie nucléaire ? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ?
Comment vous sentiriez-vous si votre collectivité dépendait de l’énergie nucléaire pour produire de l’électricité ?
- SONDER POUR : Perceptions de la fiabilité, du coût, de l’impact environnemental, de la sûreté.
Est-ce que quelqu’un a déjà entendu parler des petits réacteurs modulaires, ou PRM ?
- Si oui, quelles sont vos impressions ? Que savez-vous à leur sujet ?

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :
Les petits réacteurs modulaires (PRM) sont des réacteurs nucléaires avancés qui ont une capacité électronucléaire pouvant aller jusqu’à 300 MWe par tranche, soit environ un tiers de la capacité de production des réacteurs nucléaires de puissance traditionnels. Les PRM, qui peuvent produire une grande quantité d’électricité bas carbone, sont :

Petits — ils occupent physiquement une fraction de la taille d’un réacteur nucléaire de puissance conventionnel.
Modulaires — cela permet aux systèmes et composants d’être assemblés en usine et transportés en tant qu’unité vers un emplacement pour l’installation.
Réacteurs — il s’agit d’exploiter la fission nucléaire pour générer de la chaleur afin de produire de l’énergie.
Sur la base de cette description, quelles sont vos impressions des PRM ? Sont-elles positives, négatives ou neutres ? Pourquoi ?
Pensez-vous que cette technologie pourrait être utile dans votre collectivité ? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ?
Quelles autres questions avez-vous, le cas échéant, au sujet des PRM ?

IMPACTS ET ADAPTATION AU CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE (30 minutes) Personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut

Diriez-vous que le changement climatique a actuellement un impact majeur, mineur ou aucun impact sur votre collectivité ?
- SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous remarqué ? Ces changements ont-ils eu un impact sur votre vie quotidienne ?
Dans le futur, pensez-vous que le changement climatique aura un impact majeur, mineur ou aucun impact sur votre collectivité ?
- SI OUI : Quels sont les impacts qui vous préoccupent le plus ? (SONDER : Impacts sur le logement, l’économie, la santé)
Votre collectivité est-elle prête à faire face aux impacts du changement climatique ? Qu’en est-il de votre ménage ?
- Qu’est-ce que vous ou votre collectivité avez fait pour vous préparer ?
Qu’est-ce que vous souhaiteriez voir votre collectivité faire pour se préparer aux impacts du changement climatique qui n’a pas encore été fait ?
Est-il important que le gouvernement fédéral aide les collectivités à se préparer aux impacts du changement climatique ?
- Avez-vous entendu parler de ce que fait le gouvernement fédéral à cet égard ?
  - Que voudriez-vous qu’il fasse ?

LOGEMENT DANS LE NORD (20 minutes) Personnes préoccupées par la hausse du prix de l’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et du Nunavut

Quelle est la situation du logement là où vous habitez ?
- 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 ? (SONDER POUR : L’administration municipale ? Le territorial ? Le fédéral ?)
Êtes-vous au courant de mesures prises par le gouvernement du Canada pour améliorer la situation du logement dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest et au Nunavut ? Qu’a fait le gouvernement du Canada ?
- SI OUI : Qu’a fait le gouvernement du Canada ?
Que devrait faire le gouvernement fédéral pour aider dans le dossier du logement ?

CONCLUSION (5-10 minutes) Tous les lieux

Avant de conclure, y a-t-il autre chose que vous souhaiteriez dire au gouvernement fédéral ? Il peut s’agir de précisions sur les sujets abordés aujourd’hui ou d’un sujet que vous jugez important, mais dont nous n’avons pas discuté.

Premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton Avant qu’on se quitte, je vais vous donner le numéro de téléphone de la ligne de soutien Espace Mieux-être Canada. Nous vous indiquons également l’adresse Web du portail de soutien Espace Mieux-être Canada.

Premier(-ière)s répondant(e)s de la région du Grand Toronto et d’Hamilton AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN OU DANS LE CHAT :
Ligne téléphonique de soutien Espace Mieux-être Canada (accessible 24/7) : 1-866-585-0445
Lien vers le portail de soutien Espace Mieux-être Canada : https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA

Continuous Qualitative Data Collection of Canadians’ Views – October 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: November 4, 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

October 2022

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre : Rapport final - Collecte continue de données qualitatives sur les opinions des Canadiens – octobre 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 Serial Number (ISSN):

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

© His Majesty the King 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 attributed quantitatively to the overall population under study with any degree of confidence.

Methodology

Overview of Groups

Detailed Approach

Group Locations and Composition

Key Findings

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (All Locations)

All groups conducted in October engaged in discussions related to the federal government’s handling of issues and priorities important to Canadians. These conversations focused on areas where the Government of Canada had been successful as well as those in which there was room for improvement.

Direction of the Country (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Middle Class Canadians (Quebec City Middle Class Canadians)

Environment and Climate Change (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety)

Affordability Measures (City of Toronto, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials, Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

Jobs (City of Toronto, Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs)

Economic Terminology (Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec)

Engaging in an additional exercise, participants were shown a pair of statements related to the economy and asked to select which of them they preferred:

Tourism (City of Toronto, Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials)

Internet Connectivity (City of Toronto, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec, Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec Millennials)

Oil and Gas (Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers, Quebec City Middle Class Canadians, Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Bas-Saint-Laurent Region Quebec)

Healthcare (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Healthcare Priority Areas (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Mental Health (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Mental Health Initiatives (Mid-size and Major Centres Manitoba Mental Healthcare Workers)

Mental Health Perspectives (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Housing (Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Housing Initiatives (Atlantic Canada Prospective Homebuyers)

Northern Housing (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Climate Change (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Climate Change Initiatives (Vancouver Island Experiencing Climate Anxiety)

Community Impacts and Adaptation (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Agriculture and Fertilizer (Southern Alberta Agricultural Sector Workers)

Energy Issues (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Concerned About Rising Energy Costs)

Firearms (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area First Responders)

Child Care and the Canada Child Benefit (Interior B.C. Low-Income Parents of Children under 12)

ArriveCAN (Ontario-U.S. Border Cities Working Two Jobs)

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

Donna Nixon, Partner
The Strategic Counsel