Executive Summary

Introduction

The Communications and Consultation Secretariat of the Privy Council Office (PCO) commissioned The Strategic Counsel (TSC) to conduct continuous cycles of focus group research across the country with members of the public on key national issues, events, and policy initiatives related to the Government of Canada.

The broad purpose of this ongoing qualitative research program is three-fold: to explore the dimensions and drivers of public opinion on the most important issues facing the country; to assess perceptions and expectations of the federal government’s actions and priorities; and, to inform the development of Government of Canada communications so that they continue to be aligned with the perspectives and information needs of Canadians, while remaining both clear and easy-to-understand.

The research is intended to be used by the Communications and Consultation Secretariat within PCO in order to fulfill its mandate of supporting the Prime Minister’s Office in coordinating government communications. Specifically, the research will ensure that PCO has an ongoing understanding of Canadians’ opinions on macro-level issues of interest to the Government of Canada, as well as emerging trends.

This report includes findings from 12 online focus groups that were conducted between July 6^th, 2023, and August 23^rd, 2023, in multiple locations across the country including Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Atlantic Canada, Québec, and British Columbia (B.C.). Details concerning the locations, recruitment, and composition of the groups are provided in the section below.

The research for this cycle focused largely on the Government of Canada’s priorities and performance on a range of issues important to Canadians. Related to this, some groups took part in targeted discussions focusing on federal activities related to the cost of living, issues impacting Filipinos in Canada, and the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement. All participants discussed what they had seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada in recent days, with a few groups engaging in extended conversations related to their news consumption habits, and their expectations and concerns related to living in Canada in the years to come.

This research cycle also explored issues related to the news media and the enactment of Bill C-18 (the Online News Act), suicide prevention, housing, and climate change. Working mothers in the Montérégie region of Quebec took part in discussions related to the job market and the cost of living, while members of the Filipino diaspora in mid-size and major centres in the Prairies shared their perspectives related to the safety of their communities.

Other topics discussed this cycle included the federal price on carbon, issues affecting the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and supports for persons living with disabilities, including the Canada Disability Benefit. Anglophones residing in Quebec discussed their experience living in official language minority communities, while participants in Northern Quebec, rural Quebec, and rural Nova Scotia discussed various challenges specific to their communities.

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

Target audience

· Canadian residents, 18 and older.

· Groups were split primarily by location.

· Some groups focused on specific cohorts of the population including the 2SLGBTQI+ community, Anglophones residing in Quebec, first-time homebuyers, renters, members of the Filipino diaspora, and working mothers.

Detailed Approach

· Twelve groups across various regions in Canada.

· Six groups were conducted among the general population residing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Northern Quebec, Northern Alberta, Rural Nova Scotia, Mid-size centres in Ontario, and Small centres in Quebec.

· The other six groups were conducted with key subgroups including:

o 2SLGBTQI+ community;

o Anglophones in Quebec;

o First-time homebuyers;

o Renters and those looking to rent;

o Working mothers aged 25-54; and

o Filipino diaspora.

· Three of the groups in Quebec were conducted in French. All other groups were conducted in English.

· All groups for this cycle were conducted online.

· A total of 8 participants were recruited for each group, assuming 6 to 8 participants would attend.

· Across all locations, 92 participants attended, in total. Details on attendance numbers by group can be found below.

· Each participant received an honorarium of $125.

Group Locations and Composition

LOCATION	GROUP	LANGUAGE	DATE	TIME (EDT)	GROUP COMPOSITION	NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
Greater Toronto Area	1	English	July 6	6:00-8:00	General Population	8
Major Centres Atlantic Canada	2	English	July 11	5:00-7:00	2SLGBTQI+	8
Northern Québec Territories	3	French	July 13	6:00-8:00	General Population	6
Northern Alberta	4	English	July 18	8:00-10:00	General Population	8
Mid-Size and Major Centres Québec	5	English	July 25	6:00-8:00 pm	Anglophones in Quebec	8
Interior B.C.	6	English	July 27	9:00-11:00 pm	First-Time Home Buyers	7
Rural Nova Scotia	7	English	August 8	5:00-7:00	General Population	8
Vancouver	8	English	August 9	9:00-11:00	Renters or those looking to rent	8
Mid-Size Centres Ontario	9	English	August 15	6:00-8:00	General Population	8
Montérégie Québec	10	French	August 17	6:00-8:00	Working mothers, aged 25-54	8
Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies (MB and SK)	11	English	August 22	8:00-10:00	Filipino Diaspora	8
Small Centres Quebec	12	French	August 23	6:00-8:00	General Population	7
Total number of participants						92

Key Findings

Government of Canada in the News (All Locations)

At the beginning of each group, participants were asked what they had seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada in recent days. A wide range of announcements and initiatives were recalled, including the Government of Canada’s response to large-scale wildfires occurring in several parts of the country, the decision by the Bank of Canada to raise the policy interest rate by 25 basis points, and the provision of a one-time Grocery Rebate to eligible lower-income Canadian households. Participants also recalled actions from the federal government such as the enacting of Bill C-18 (the Online News Act), the provision of $1.5 million in funding to Fierté Canada Pride, the introduction of a federal price on carbon in Atlantic Canada, and an investment of an additional $10.3 million through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) to bring high-speed Internet access to more than 1,000 Indigenous homes in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Participants also recalled actions and initiatives related to the Government of Canada on the international stage. These included the attendance of the Prime Minister and other federal officials at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit which took place in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 11^th-12^th, 2023 and the ongoing provision of financial and military support to Ukraine, as well as efforts to bring in and accommodate Ukrainians displaced by the conflict.

Public Mood (Quebec Montérégie Region Working Mothers, Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

Two groups were asked a few additional questions regarding their expectations and concerns related to living in Canada in the years to come. Asked what, if anything, made them optimistic about their lives in Canada in the future, several spoke positively about what they viewed as increasing rates of immigration to Canada. It was felt that the arrival of a greater number of skilled workers from outside of Canada would benefit the country economically and help to address perceived worker shortages across key sectors such as health care and education. A few, who were immigrants themselves, expressed the opinion that there were typically far more economic and social opportunities available to those living in Canada compared to many parts of the world. A number also mentioned what they viewed as the Government of Canada’s protection of reproductive rights for women and its commitment to defending its citizens from gender-based violence and discrimination.

News Sources (Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

Those in the group comprised of members of the Filipino diaspora residing in the Prairies briefly discussed the sources that they would typically use to receive their news. Several reported regularly watching news on television channels such as CBC, CTV, and Global News as well as utilizing social media platforms including Facebook, Reddit, and LinkedIn. Asked which language they received their news in, most reported primarily consuming English-language news. A smaller number also reported occasionally reading and watching news produced in other languages such as Tagalog, Spanish, and French. Discussing where they would likely go if they were looking for news related to the federal government, most cited Canadian news sources such as CBC and Global News as well as websites officially operated by the Government of Canada.

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (All Locations)

All groups took part in conversations related to the issues currently facing Canadians as well as their perspectives regarding the federal government’s management of these priorities. Participants were asked to identify areas in which they believed that the Government of Canada had performed well as of late as well as those in which they felt there was room for improvement. On a number of issues participants expressed mixed views regarding the federal government’s performance, including inflation and the cost of living, immigration, health care, and climate change.

Discussing areas where they felt the Government of Canada had been performing well, several mentioned the availability of a wide range of benefits and supports for Canadians, initiatives to protect and promote multiculturalism and diversity in Canada, and the provision of international assistance to countries such as Ukraine. Identifying areas in which they felt the Government of Canada could improve, participants mentioned issues such as a perceived lack of progress towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, Canadians no longer being able to access news content on platforms hosted by Meta and Google, and what was viewed as a widespread lack of affordable housing in many Canadian communities.

Cost of Living (Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community, Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers)

Three groups engaged in expanded discussions related to the cost of living. All believed that the cost of living had risen considerably in recent years and needed to be a top priority for the Government of Canada to focus on. Several were of the impression that it had become increasingly difficult for many Canadian households to make ends meet financially as of late. Almost all reported having changed their spending habits over the past year in response to the high rate of inflation. Describing specific actions that they had taken, many indicated now being far more likely to purchase non-brand name products and groceries as well as seeking out deals and coupons to a far greater extent than they previously had. Several had decreased activities such as dining out at restaurants and attending concerts and other events, while a number reported having taken actions such as postponing planned vacations, delaying major life events such as getting married, or deciding not to purchase a home at this time.

Discussing what they felt was behind the rising cost of living, many believed it had resulted from supply chain disruptions and increased fuel and transportation costs thought to be associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and global events such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Several were of the view that a higher rate of immigration to Canada in recent years had contributed to the rising cost of living, placing increased demand on sectors such as housing where costs were already believed to be quite high. Asked if they could recall any actions taken by the Government of Canada to address inflation and the cost of living, several mentioned the provision of a one-time Grocery Rebate that had recently been sent to some lower-income Canadians as part of an increase to their quarterly goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit. Almost all expected that the cost of living would continue to worsen over the next year in the absence of significant action from the federal government.

Filipino Canadians (Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

Safe Third Country Agreement (Rural Quebec)

Participants residing in rural Quebec briefly discussed the Canada-U.S. border, and notably the recent expansion of the Canada-United States (U.S.) Safe Third Country Agreement. Discussing whether they had seen, read, or heard about asylum seekers entering Quebec via Roxham Road, a large number reported being aware of this. While a few were of the impression that action had recently been taken to prevent these crossings, none could recall any specific details. Asked whether they had heard of the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, only a small number had. Provided with information about this agreement, most were positive in their reactions. Believing that many of those entering Canada between official ports of entry and claiming asylum had been putting themselves ahead of those applying for permanent residency in Canada via other immigration channels, a number thought that returning these individuals to the U.S. would increase the fairness of the immigration system. A few, however, were worried that taking this action may have unexpected consequences and expressed concerns that asylum seekers looking to enter Canada may attempt to do so via increasingly desperate and dangerous means going forward.

News Media (Greater Toronto Area, Northern Quebec, Mid-Size and Major Centres Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Four groups took part in conversations related to the news industry in Canada. Asked how much time they typically spend reading, watching, or listening to the news, participants provided a range of responses, with the largest number reporting consuming approximately 30 minutes – 1 hour of news per day. Describing their primary sources for news, participants mostly reported utilizing television, news websites, and social media platforms to receive their news. Participants specifically mentioned outlets such as CBC, Global News, CP24, CNN, and BBC as places they usually turn to for televised/digital news while those who utilized social media indicated using platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. Asked whether they felt that some sources of news were more reliable than others, participants largely believed that news content produced by traditional media outlets was typically more accurate than news stories they encountered on social media. The view was expressed that news found on social media could often be editorialized by the individual posting it and was based more on opinion rather than fact.

Asked to share their impressions regarding how the news media industry had changed over the last decade, a large number believed that news had become more opinion-oriented and sensationalized in recent years. Several also commented on the more instantaneous nature of news today, believing that this had been brought on by the advent of social media and the ability of users to post news updates about events as they were happening in real time. Almost all believed that Canadians now had far more ways to access the news compared to a decade ago and most were of the impression that there were more news outlets operating in Canada today compared to in the past. Many living in more rural or mid-sized centres believed that there was considerably less news coverage of local happenings in their communities and that much of the news that they received was primarily focused on national or global events.

Informed that the number of media outlets in Canada and jobs in journalism had declined in recent years, a large number believed that this had primarily been the result of the perceived growing reliance of Canadians on the Internet and social media for their news. It was thought by several that due to people now having instantaneous access to news from across Canada and around the world via devices such as smartphones there was now no longer as much of a need for locally produced television and/or print news. Asked to what extent this decline in the number of Canadian news outlets was concerning to them, only a small number indicated being worried about this issue. While a few expressed concerns that this decrease in news outlets could lead to less legitimate sources being available to Canadians, most believed that this did not represent a problem, so long as major outlets such as CBC, CTV, and Global News continued to provide accurate information.

Asked whether they felt that protecting and supporting the Canadian news industry should be a priority for the federal government, few did. While it was widely felt that the Government of Canada should continue to ensure that news was widely accessible to all Canadians in the official language of their choice, only a small number believed that the news industry in general should be a top priority at present. Provided with information regarding the new requirement from the federal government for some large digital platforms to pay news outlets for news stories hosted on their platforms, participants were mixed in their reactions. Among those who supported this action, it was felt that locally based news and strong journalistic practices were critical for keeping a population informed about the happenings around them and that unless action was taken to protect these outlets it was likely that there would be fewer legitimate Canadian news organizations operating going forward. For those who were opposed to this action, it was felt that requiring digital platforms to pay for the news shared on their platforms may have the unintended consequence of reducing the amount of news available to Canadians, especially those who primarily receive their news from social media. A few voiced the opinion that, rather than being a detriment, it was beneficial for Canadian outlets to have their news shared on social media as this greatly increased the reach of their content and could have the additional benefit of driving more users to the websites operated by these organizations.

Suicide Prevention (Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community, Northern Alberta)

Content Advisory: Please note that the following section deals with the topic of suicide and emotional distress and may be upsetting for some readers.

Three groups took part in discussions related to suicide prevention and the implementation of 9-8-8, a three-digit telephone number to assist those suffering from emotional distress and dealing with suicidal ideation. Shown a number of potential statements designed to promote and provide information related to this service, participants largely favoured those that were direct, informative, and featured language conveying the gravity of these mental health challenges. A number believed that an effective statement for this service would need to maintain a balance between communicating the urgency and seriousness of suicidal ideation while also reassuring those considering using the service that they would be met with compassion and understanding.

Sharing their perspectives regarding a number of features important to the service, all felt that it was important to emphasize the confidentiality of the 9-8-8 line. It was believed that this would provide those in need of assistance with the reassurance that their conversations would be conducted in a safe and private manner. Very few were familiar with the term ‘trauma-informed’, with several believing that this phrase was unlikely to resonate with much of the general public. While some believed that it was important for the service to be culturally inclusive, a larger number felt that this was likely not a top priority for those suffering from emotional crises. While it was viewed as beneficial for the service to be inclusive, most felt that the key focus needed to be on providing those calling/texting 9-8-8 with help for their immediate problems rather than ensuring that the assistance provided aligned with their unique cultures and backgrounds. While a few thought that it was intuitive that this service would be free and did not believe that this needed to be emphasized, several felt differently. Among these participants, it was expressed that cost was often a deterrent for many in seeking help for their mental health and that it was important to highlight the free nature of the service in the messaging.

Focusing on the 9-8-8 service more generally, participants were asked what types of promotional materials, information resources, or advertising about 9-8-8 they would be most likely to pay attention to. It was widely felt that this information should be presented across a wide range of platforms and targeted towards a variety of demographics (with a particular focus on younger Canadians). Areas mentioned by participants where 9-8-8 could be advertised included social media, television and radio, and on physical spaces such as bus benches and billboards. It was felt that given the perceived prevalence of mental health concerns among Canadians right now, the focus should be on reaching as many people as possible with this message. A number felt that it would be helpful to include additional information regarding what those reaching out could expect after calling/texting 9-8-8. Almost all reported that they would be motivated to share information regarding 9-8-8 with family, friends, and others in their lives who may require assistance.

Housing (Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, City of Vancouver Renters, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Three groups took part in discussions related to housing. These conversations focused on recent housing initiatives announced by the Government of Canada, challenges currently impacting renters, and participants’ perspectives related to the current housing supply in Canada and potential actions that could be taken to build more homes.

Housing Initiatives (Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, City of Vancouver Renters, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

All three groups engaged in discussions related to a range of housing initiatives recently announced by the Government of Canada. Discussing what they felt were the biggest challenges related to housing that required greater attention from the federal government, several believed that more needed to be done to increase the housing supply, including building homes that were affordable for lower- and middle-income Canadians. Asked to identify the biggest barriers they had encountered when seeking to purchase their first home, participants in the group comprised of first-time home buyers residing in Interior British Columbia (B.C.) described a range of issues. These included the significant amounts required for a down payment, difficulties in securing a large enough mortgage to afford a home in their area, and challenges related to saving up enough money to purchase a home amidst the perceived high cost of living at present. Discussing potential actions that could be taken by the Government of Canada to assist prospective first-time home buyers, participants in this group felt that more needed to be done to make the prices of homes more affordable for a larger number of Canadians.

Participants were next shown information related to numerous housing initiatives that had recently been announced by the Government of Canada. Focusing on the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), while some thought this might be helpful, it was generally believed that even if one were able to achieve the maximum benefit of this program by saving up to $40,000 tax-free, this would still likely not be enough to afford a down payment in most Canadian communities. Opinions were mixed regarding the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. While some believed that this could provide an avenue to homeownership for some, participants questioned what would happen if those using this program were no longer able to make their payments or if the value of their property declined substantially. Most also reacted positively to the decision to expand the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, increasing its flexibility and making it easier for single Canadians to access. None felt that doubling the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC) would have much of an impact, believing that the $1500 of additional support would make very little difference considering the substantial costs of purchasing a home in most communities. While most were supportive of the action to temporarily ban non-Canadians from purchasing residential property for two years, several believed that this action should go further and that this ban should be made permanent. Likewise, while the Housing Accelerator Fund was seen as a step in the right direction, a few questioned whether the $4 billion investment would be enough considering the number of houses they believed would need to be built to meet the current level of demand. Focusing on these actions from the Government of Canada as a whole, very few felt that these would do much in the way of assisting prospective home buyers. It was believed that the housing market in many communities was too expensive for any of these measures to have much of an effect.

Renters (City of Vancouver Renters, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Participants in two groups engaged in discussions related to actions taken by the Government of Canada specifically focused on supporting renters. All residing in the group based in the City of Vancouver were currently renters or were looking for a place to rent. Among these participants, it was widely believed that rental costs in Vancouver were too high, there was too much competition for available rentals, and that landlords often took advantage of this situation to drive rental costs up further. Several in this group believed that a lack of new affordable housing developments as well as the growing popularity of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb had served to further exacerbate this issue. Discussing actions that could be taken to improve the situation for renters in Vancouver, participants mentioned potential initiatives such as implementing caps on the amount of rent that can be charged by landlords, building more housing for the specific purpose of providing affordable rentals, and placing limits on the number of properties an individual or business could own.

Asked whether they could recall any actions that the Government of Canada had taken to address the current challenges facing renters, while a small number mentioned the provision of a one-time $500 top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) to some lower-income households earlier in 2023, none were aware of any other actions from the federal government on this front. Discussing what, if anything, the Government of Canada should do to support renters, participants recommended actions such as placing caps on how much rent a landlord can charge, building more housing with a specific focus on affordable rental developments, and increasing support for those currently struggling to afford their monthly rent.

Provided with information related to the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB), very few recalled having received this support and a number questioned the income threshold for this initiative, believing it might have been set too low. Only a small number reported having been previously aware of this program. While a few expected that this support might provide some households with some temporary relief from high rental costs at present, none believed that this would have any impact on the long-term problems facing renters.

Housing Supply (Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Two groups also took part in conversations related to potential actions that could be taken by the federal government to increase the housing supply in Canada. Asked what they had seen, read, or heard about any work the Government of Canada had done or was planning on doing to encourage the construction of more homes, few could. While most were of the impression that the federal government had made commitments to build more housing, including for lower-income Canadians, none could recall any specific initiatives or details. Provided with information regarding the recently announced Housing Accelerator Fund, a $4 billion fund that provides money to municipal governments to encourage them to take steps to increase the local housing supply in their communities, most reacted positively to this information. It was believed that any actions taken to increase the housing supply represented a step in the right direction. A few, however, expressed concern about the long-term quality of these homes if they were built too rapidly and did not follow typical homebuilding procedures. Several expected that while this action would likely have a positive impact in the long-term, it may take a significant amount of time for communities to build the number of homes necessary to address the housing needs of their residents.

Asked what impact, if any, they felt that municipal zoning bylaws could have on the building of more homes, most believed these had a significant influence as they determined what types of housing could be built and where. While some felt that communities should be encouraged to adjust their zoning bylaws to allow for the building of more homes, a roughly equal number thought this may not be the best course of action. Among these participants, it was felt that many municipalities had likely been planned around existing zoning bylaws and that adjusting them may have unintended consequences on the community and the surrounding environment. Asked what more they felt the Government of Canada should do to assist in the building of more homes, participants recommended a number of actions. These included converting vacant commercial real estate and offices into residential housing, building affordable rental housing targeted towards specific groups such as seniors and students, and recruiting more Canadians to pursue careers in the trades in order to carry out the building of more homes.

Climate Change (Northern Alberta, Rural Nova Scotia, Rural Quebec)

Three groups took part in discussions related to climate change. These conversations focused on the recent impacts of extreme weather on participants’ communities, actions that can be taken on an individual level to mitigate the dangers of climate change, and the Government of Canada’s response to the large-scale wildfires that had recently been occurring in many parts of the country.

Community Impacts (Northern Alberta, Rural Nova Scotia, Rural Quebec)

All three groups engaged in a conversation related to climate change and recent extreme weather events (such as wildfires, mass flooding, and windstorms) that have been impacting several parts of the country, including in their respective regions. All felt that climate change was an important priority for the federal government to focus on and many were concerned about the potential impacts a changing environment would have on their own lives as well as those of future generations. A large number expressed the view that recent wildfires and/or flooding in their respective areas had been the result of climate change and had served as a strong reminder of the potential threats this issue posed.

Discussing the impacts of climate change that they had observed in their own communities many in Northern Alberta mentioned recent wildfires that had impacted their region. Several were of the impression that recent wildfires had led to significant property loss in some communities as well as a considerable drop in the air quality in their region due to the smoke produced by these fires. A number in rural Quebec recalled facing challenges related to flooding in their local regions as well as poor quality due to smoke from nearby wildfires. In addition to the recent damage caused by wildfires and flooding in their area, many in Nova Scotia recalled the devastating impact of Hurricane Fiona on their communities in 2022 and were worried that severe storms such as this would be occurring in their region with increasing frequency going forward. Several expressed concerns about the impact that changing/more extreme weather patterns could have on agricultural production within their provinces and questioned whether it would still be possible to produce enough food to meet the needs of Canadians in the decades to come. Very few felt that their communities were sufficiently prepared for climate change and only a small number reported having taken actions in their own lives to better prepare for its impacts going forward. Among those who had begun preparing for climate change, participants reported taking actions such as storing emergency supplies of food and water, planting a home garden, and changing their daily habits to reduce their carbon footprint.

Climate Change Behaviours (Rural Quebec)

Participants in rural Quebec took part in an additional discussion regarding the actions that can be taken on an individual level to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Asked whether they felt that individuals had a responsibility to help stop climate change, almost all did. Discussing behaviours that one can take that could help prevent climate change, participants identified actions such as recycling and reducing household waste, growing food in a garden, converting to more energy-efficient home heating systems, and utilizing public and/or active transportation rather than personal automobiles.

Asked whether, over the next six months, they intended to engage in more, less, or about the same number of pro-climate actions, a roughly equal number of participants expected that they would do more as those who would likely continue to do the same. No participants planned on engaging in fewer pro-climate actions over the next six months. Questioned whether knowing others were taking action to stop climate change would likely influence them to do the same, most felt that it would, believing that the actions of others would serve as a source of motivation and encouragement. Asked whether they felt that individual actions, taken on a collective level, could have an impact on reducing the impacts of climate change, almost all believed this to be the case.

Wildfire Response (Northern Alberta)

Provided with information regarding the actions that the Government of Canada had taken in response to these wildfires, most believed that these actions were headed in the right direction when it came to assisting those impacted by the fires. Asked what more should be done by the federal government to address wildfires, it was thought that greater resources should be placed into assisting communities with the development of emergency response plans to ensure that they were better prepared for these types of events going forward. It was also felt that increased investments should be made into volunteer firefighter programs, with several believing that these were heavily relied on by rural and remote communities to protect themselves against wildfires.

Carbon Pricing (Rural Nova Scotia)

Provided with information regarding the implementation of a federal price on carbon, almost all reacted negatively. While several reiterated that it was important to take action to reduce carbon pollution, none felt that the implementation of a price on carbon was the right action to take at this time. Many expressed concerns that this would lead to an overall increase in the cost of living and would make it harder for Canadian households (many of whom were already believed to be struggling due to high inflation) to make ends meet financially. A number believed that this initiative would have a disproportionate impact on those living rurally who had to drive long distances during their daily activities and were unable to reduce their emissions even if they desired to.

Receiving further information related to the implementation of carbon pricing in Nova Scotia as of July 1^st, 2023, none felt that this system would have a positive impact. Many were of the opinion that rather than improving the lives of Canadians, the implementation of a price on carbon would increase the cost of living, both in terms of the additional costs paid directly by consumers as well as what they expected would be increasing costs for businesses to manufacture and transport goods both within and outside of Canada. It was expected that increased manufacturing and transportation costs would ultimately lead to higher prices being passed on to consumers across a wide range of goods and services. The view was expressed that rather than implementing a price on carbon, the federal government should instead devote greater resources towards incentivizing Canadians to install devices such as solar panels and heat pumps in their homes that would assist them in reducing their household emissions.

Jobs and the Economy (Quebec Montérégie Region Working Mothers)

Participants in one group, comprised of working mothers residing in the Montérégie region of Québec, shared their perspectives regarding the current employment market, the cost of living, and their experiences as parents amidst the present economic climate. Asked how they would rate the Canadian job market at present, participants were mixed in their assessments. Several were of the impression that the employment market was quite strong at present, believing that there was presently a large number of jobs available across a wide range of sectors. A few expressed the opinion that many Canadians, and younger people in particular, did not seem to be interested in working for the wages currently being offered by employers. A number felt that this was understandable, believing that it was the responsibility of employers to offer prospective workers a living wage and sufficient benefits and that many of the positions currently available did not do so.

Discussing whether it had been easy or difficult to find a job in a field of interest to them, participants were varied in their responses. While some had found this process relatively straightforward, others had experienced considerable difficulties. Asked whether they had faced any challenges in their jobs specifically related to being working mothers, several recalled facing challenges with their employer during situations where they had to balance their work with taking care of their children as a result of illness, injury, or some other emergency. Asked whether they felt that the Canadian job market would be better, worse, or about the same in five years’ time, several expected it to worsen. It was thought that automation and the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) would lead to fewer positions being available to prospective workers. Additionally, a few expressed concerns that there would be a growing worker shortage in fields such as the trades, which were believed to be less popular among younger Canadians at present. Questioned whether they felt that the Government of Canada was on the right track when it came to creating good jobs, the opinion was expressed that more could be done by the Government of Canada to improve employment conditions for working parents, including by implementing standards to ensure employers were supportive and accepting of the work-life balance required for most parents.

Questioned whether they were aware of any policies, programs, services, or benefits from the Government of Canada aimed at assisting parents, participants mentioned initiatives such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), Canada Dental Benefit (CDB), and a range of recent initiatives believed to be targeted towards assisting prospective first-time home buyers. Provided with additional information about the CCB and CDB, participants were very positive in their reactions and were especially pleased that benefits such as the CCB would be indexed to the rate of inflation. Focusing on the CDB, a number who did not have dental benefits and/or insurance through their employer expected that they would benefit immensely from this program. Asked what more the Government of Canada could do to support working mothers, participants recommended actions such as working to increase the number of sick days available to Canadian parents, providing increased benefits and supports to those with children with rare diseases and/or medical conditions, and increasing the income thresholds for these supports to make them more widely available to Canadian families.

Community Safety (Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

One group, comprised of members of the Filipino diaspora residing in the Prairies, shared their perspectives related to the safety of their respective communities and perceived rising crime in recent years. Many reported feeling less safe in their community as of late, with several reporting that crimes related to violent assaults, property theft, and gang activity had been occurring more frequently over the past few years. Several were of the impression that the rate of homelessness had risen considerably in their communities and speculated that a large portion of the perceived rise in crime had been the result of these individuals (as well as those suffering from mental health and addiction issues) engaging in illegal activity out of desperation.

Asked who was responsible for addressing criminal activity, a number believed that this was primarily the responsibility of municipal governments. Discussing what role they felt that the Government of Canada should have in addressing crime, participants identified areas such as its oversight of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as well as its ability to address financial and online crimes that occur across several jurisdictions. The view was expressed that the RCMP was especially important for providing law enforcement in smaller communities that did not have a local police force.

Discussing what more should be done by the Government of Canada to reduce crime, several believed that greater resources needed to be allocated towards addressing what they viewed as the root causes of criminal behaviour, including issues related to mental health and addiction. It was thought that these issues had been impacting a larger proportion of Canadians as of late and that greater investments into the treatment of these challenges would likely prevent many individuals from resorting to criminal behaviour. A few also recommended that actions should be taken by the federal government towards stricter bail reform and preventing dangerous individuals from being able to re-offend while released on bail.

Issues Affecting the 2SLGBTQI+ Community (Major Centres Atlantic Canada Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community)

One group, comprised of individuals identifying as members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, discussed a number of issues faced by 2SLGBTQI+ individuals as well as recent actions taken by the Government of Canada to address these challenges. While some thought that Canada was generally an inclusive place to live and that tangible progress had been made in recent years towards protecting 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, a larger number were more uncertain as to how they felt. Though many were of the impression that Canada was more inclusive than many other jurisdictions throughout the world, it was also widely thought that 2SLGBTQI+ individuals continued to face discrimination in many parts of the country and that progress on these issues had been inconsistent over recent decades. Several identified what they perceived as an increase in overt hostility over the past two –to three years towards 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and communities.

Asked what more should be done to promote the greater acceptance, support, and inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, a number emphasized the need for increased empathy and education among Canadians regarding the challenges these communities face. It was also believed that there needed to be a larger focus on providing proactive support for 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives and programming. Many felt that misinformation had contributed to perceived increased acts of hate towards the 2SLGBTQI+ community and believed that more comprehensive strategies needed to be put in place to address this issue. All felt that promoting and protecting 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms was an important priority for the Government of Canada to focus on. Asked whether they believed that the Government of Canada was generally on the right track on this front most were uncertain or mixed in their views. While a large number believed that the Government of Canada’s objectives were the correct ones to focus on, it was widely felt that there needed to be a more realistic and definitive action plan as to how they would be achieved.

Discussing additional actions that could be taken by the federal government to support 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, a few believed that there needed to be an increased focus on creating an ongoing dialogue and expanding accessibility to discuss these issues with representatives at all levels of the government. Some also thought that there needed to be greater representation of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals at all levels of government, while others described the need for greater awareness and promotion of these communities outside of Pride Month.

Disability Benefits (Northern Quebec)

One group, comprised of participants residing in Northern Quebec, shared their perspectives regarding the challenges faced by Canadians living with disabilities, as well as the federal government’s role in supporting these individuals. A number reported having family members and/or friends who were currently living with a disability. Asked to identify the biggest challenges faced by those living with disabilities, several mentioned difficulties related to accessibility, with some emphasizing the struggles faced by these individuals when it came to accessing public locations and services as well as adapting their own homes to accommodate their needs. It was felt that this perceived lack of accessibility often served to marginalize those with disabilities, making it difficult for them to participate and be active in their communities and society at large.

Discussing the role that the Government of Canada should be playing in addressing these challenges, several underscored the importance of raising awareness regarding those living with disabilities as well as ensuring greater representation of these individuals in all parts of society. Many were strongly supportive of the notion that the federal government should consider providing those with disabilities with a basic income that would cover their immediate needs such as food, housing, and other costs necessary to improve their quality of life. Informed that the Government of Canada had passed legislation to create a new Canada Disability Benefit, which will provide a direct monthly payment to low-income Canadians with disabilities of working age, several reacted positively, believing this would be of great assistance to these individuals. Asked whether this initiative was something that should be pursued by the Government of Canada, even if it raised taxes, all believed that it should. It was largely felt that there were other ways to reduce public spending and that this initiative was a worthwhile expense for the federal government to support. A number expected that this support would have a positive impact on helping those in their own lives who were currently living with disabilities.

Official Languages (Mid-Size and Major Centres Quebec Anglophones)

Several felt that more needed to be done to increase the number of resources and supports available to help non-French speakers in Quebec learn the French language and immerse themselves into the province’s culture. Asked what rights official language minority communities (such as French-speaking communities outside of Quebec and English-speaking communities inside Quebec) should have, it was believed that at the minimum there needed to be a guarantee that all public services would be made available in both official languages. Several also thought that more needed to be done to place a greater focus on bilingual education throughout Canada, both at the primary/secondary levels as well as at post-secondary institutions. It was felt that encouraging younger Canadians to learn both official languages as a part of their formal education would lead to greater professional and personal opportunities for these individuals in the future as well as contribute to the greater acceptance of both languages across all parts of the country.

Community Challenges (Northern Quebec, Rural Nova Scotia, Rural Quebec)

Participants in three groups engaged in brief discussions related to a range of challenges currently facing their respective communities. Asked to identify the top issues facing their communities that required greater attention from the federal government, participants shared a range of concerns. These included inflation and the cost of living, a lack of affordable housing, difficulties in accommodating higher rates of immigration to rural communities, health care wait times and worker shortages, the need for greater investments into education, and a lack of public transportation available in rural communities.

Identifying the sectors in their region that they felt needed the most help from the federal government, several mentioned health care. It was believed that many (and especially those living in rural communities) were currently facing difficulties in receiving timely care, accessing specialists for important procedures and appointments, and finding a family doctor. A number also mentioned agriculture, believing that this sector had faced challenges in recent years due to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events and was critical to ensuring their region would continue to have a stable food supply. It was thought that greater incentives should be provided by the federal government to encourage younger Canadians to enter the agriculture sector, with some worrying that there would soon be a labour shortage in this area as older farmers began to retire.

MORE INFORMATION

The Strategic Counsel
Contract number: CW2241412
Contract award date: December 19, 2022
Contract value: $ 814,741.30

Detailed Findings

Timeline of July & August 2023 Announcements

To help place the focus group discussions within the context of key events that occurred during the research cycle, below is a brief synopsis for the months of July and August of 2023.

· July 1-7

o July 1. The Government of Canada launched the second Dental Benefit period, which will run until June 2024.

o July 3. The Government of Canada announced that two ships left Halifax, Nova Scotia, to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts in Eastern Europe.

o July 4. The Government of Canada announced an investment of $10 million to support rail infrastructure projects in Eastern Québec.

o July 4. The Government of Canada announced up to $15 million in funding through National Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaption Program to support regions and sectors in adapting to climate change.

o July 4. The Government of Canada announced nearly $13 million in funding to support mental health services in Indigenous communities.

o July 5. The Government of Canada disbursed a one-time Grocery Rebate to approximately 11 million low- and middle-income Canadians and families.

o July 6. The Government of Canada announced that Canadians in Atlantic Canada would now be eligible to receive Climate Action Incentive payments, as part of the federal carbon pricing system.

o July 6. The Government of Canada announced that it will upgrade the National Fire Equipment Cache in Banff National Park to establish a central equipment reserve for Parks Canada.

o July 6. The Government of Canada announced more than $20 million in funds for community-led projects in British Columbia (B.C.) and across the Prairies to address harms related to substance use.

o Focus group was held with the general population in the Greater Toronto Area (July 6^th).

· July 8-14

o July 11. The Government of Canada and Government of Alberta invested over $96 million to bring high-speed Internet to rural Albertan communities.

o Focus group was held with the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Atlantic Canada (July 11^th).

o July 12. The Government of Canada and Government of Ontario invested $54 million to bring high-speed Internet to underserved communities in Ontario.

o July 12. The Government of Canada announced that the City of Calgary will receive up to $7.7 million through the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) to address gun violence and gang activity.

o July 12. The Government of Canada announced $450 million in funds for the Green Climate Fund, a funding mechanism of the Paris Agreement.

o Focus group was held with the general population in Northern Quebec (July 13^th).

· July 15-21

o July 15. The Government of Canada announced a new permanent residency pathway for Ukrainian refugees.

o July 16. The Government of Canada announced that it had approved the Government of B.C.’s Request for Federal Assistance to support its efforts in combatting wildfires throughout the province.

o July 17. The Government of Canada announced $2.4 million in funds through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program to support victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.

o July 17. The Government of Canada invested $5.3 million towards the Community Capacity and Innovation (CCI) stream of Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy to support the reduction and prevention of homelessness.

o July 18. The Government of Canada and Government of Manitoba announced a joint investment of $1 million to support skills training and resource development in the Manitoban agricultural industry.

o Focus group was held with the general population in Northern Alberta (July 18^th).

o July 20. The Government of Canada announced additional sanctions against numerous Russian individuals and entities in response to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

o July 20. The Government of Canada and Government of Manitoba announced joint funding of $180 million to expand child care services in public schools and post-secondary institutions across the province.

o July 21. The Government of Canada and Government of Nova Scotia, along with the Town and County of Antigonish, Nova Scotia invested more than $5.9 million towards improving drinking water infrastructure.

· July 22-31

o July 24. The Government of Canada announced over $117 million in funding to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) towards the implementation of a three-digit 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline for suicide prevention and emotional distress.

o July 24. The Government of Canada announced that it would be beginning the engagement process to design regulations related to the Canada Disability Benefit.

o July 25. The Government of Canada announced over $44 million in funds to prevent gender-based violence and community-led solutions in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

o July 25. The Government of Canada and Government of Manitoba invested nearly $6.4 million in agricultural research and a new training facility at the University of Manitoba.

o Focus group was held with anglophones in Quebec (July 25^th).

o July 26. The Government of Canada and Government of Ontario invested $22 million to introduce high-speed Internet to underserved communities in Ontario.

o July 26. The Government of Canada and Government of B.C. announced over $395.5 million to support the electrification of public transit in the province.

o July 27. The Government of Canada announced $20.8 million in funding through Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) to support businesses in Burnaby, B.C. to upscale operations and increase job creation in the city.

o Focus group was held with first-time home buyers in Interior B.C. (July 27^th).

o July 28. The Government of Canada announced almost $1.7 million in funding to five organizations supporting Indigenous women and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to address gender-based violence.

o July 31. The Government of Canada invested $37,343 through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) to expand the Carrefour francophone de Sudbury and support Francophone immigration to Ontario.

· August 1-7

o August 1. The Government of Canada announced new pathways to permanent residency through the Express Entry system for newcomers with specific work experience or French language ability to address labour shortages.

o August 2. The Government of Canada and Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) announced $9.6 million in funding towards programs addressing gender-based violence, as part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.

o August 3. The Government of Canada announced $700,000 in funds to support a crisis hotline addressing gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

o August 4. The Government of Canada reopened applications for the AgriStability program to support Albertan farmers and ranchers affected by wildfires.

· August 8-14

o Focus group was held with the general population of rural Nova Scotia (August 8^th).

o Focus group was held with renters and those looking to rent in Vancouver, B.C. (August 9^th).

o August 9. The Government of Canada announced an investment of $125,000 to assist the City of Quinte West, ON in transitioning its public transportation to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

o August 9. The Government of Canada announced over $237,000 in funding to help address harms related to substance use in Sudbury, Ontario.

o August 11. The Government of Canada announced $400,000 in funding through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate program Training Fund to support the training of additional firefighters and to better understand barriers and needs in this area.

o August 13. The Government of Canada announced over $1.1 million in funding to support five non-profit organizations focused on the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

o August 14. The Government of Canada announced more than $2.7 million in funding to strengthen the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

· August 15-21

o August 15. The Government of Canada and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced an additional $10.3 million investment to bring high-speed Internet to over 1,000 Indigenous homes in rural areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.

o August 15. The Government of Canada announced a repayable contribution of $3.2 million to support Russet House in Montérégie, Québec.

o August 15. The Government of Canada provided personnel, resources, and funding to address wildfires in the Northwest Territories.

o Focus group was held with the general population in Ontario (August 15^th).

o August 17. The Government of Canada invested $644 million to construct a new battery materials plant in Bécancour, Québec.

o Focus group was held with working mothers aged 25 to 54 in the Montérégie region of Quebec (August 17^th).

o August 18. The Government of Canada announced sanctions against Russian justice officials and entities in response to human rights violations and state-sponsored violence.

o August 21. The Government of Canada announced a list of regions where the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision would be authorized to support communities experiencing droughts in Western Canada.

· August 22 - 31

o August 22. The Government of Canada announced $4.8 million to support biodiversity conservation in southern Ontario.

o August 22. The Government of Canada announced over $1.8 million in funding to address substance abuse-related harms in Guelph, Ontario.

o Focus group was held with members of the Filipino diaspora in the Prairies (August 22^nd).

o Focus group was held among the general population in rural Quebec (August 23^rd).

o August 24. The Government of Canada announced its plan for negotiations between news organizations and large online platforms after the adoption of the Online News Act (Bill C-18).

o August 24. The Government of Canada announced $8.3 million towards improving health care provision for women and gender-diverse people.

o August 28. The Government of Canada and Government of Ontario announced $219 million in funding to bring high-speed Internet access to over 66,000 households in southern Ontario.

o August 30. The Government of Canada announced a $4 million investment supporting the electric vehicle (EV) automotive industry in Southern Ontario.

o August 30. The Government of Canada announced a $6 million investment, through FedNor, directed toward 13 initiatives across Northern Ontario.

o August 30. The Government of Canada announced a $29.4 million investment through Natural Resource Canada’s ZEV Infrastructure Program towards the delivery and installation of over 1,500 EV chargers across Quebec.

Government of Canada in the News (All Locations)

· The Government of Canada’s response to large-scale wildfires occurring in several parts of the country, including British Columbia (B.C.), Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Many had been following the issue closely and recalled hearing that the federal government had been working to provide financial support and essential supplies to the communities and individuals impacted by the fires. Participants also recalled hearing that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel had been deployed to assist with the response, and that international firefighters had come to Canada to support the firefighting effort;

· The decision by the Bank of Canada to raise the policy interest rate by 25 basis points on July 12^th, 2023. Several expressed concern that the raise would increase the cost of living for many Canadian households who were already struggling to make ends meet financially;

· The provision of a one-time Grocery Rebate (as a part of the quarterly goods and services tax/harmonized service tax (GST/HST) credit) for eligible lower-income Canadians to assist with the rising cost of groceries in recent years. A few thought that the income threshold for this initiative was too low and that the rebate should have been made accessible to a wider range of Canadians;

· The enacting of Bill C-18 (the Online News Act) and the subsequent response from Meta and Google that the platforms would be removing and blocking news content for Canadians on their platforms. Several indicated that they had been following this issue closely, with a few expressing concerns that they would no longer be able to access Canadian news on certain websites and social media platforms;

· The provision of $1.5 million in federal funding to Fierté Canada Pride to support Pride festivals across Canada and protect these events from acts of hate and discrimination. Participants in the group comprised of members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community were particularly aware of this action;

· The introduction of a federal price on carbon as of July 1^st, 2023, in Atlantic Canada. Several residing in these provinces commented that this initiative would further increase their energy and fuel costs and make life more unaffordable going forward; and

· The investment of an additional $10.3 million by the Government of Canada through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) to bring high-speed Internet access to more than 1,000 Indigenous homes in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Participants also recalled actions and initiatives related to the Government of Canada on the international stage. These included:

· The attendance of the Prime Minister and other federal officials at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit which took place in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 11^th-12^th, 2023; and

· The ongoing provision of financial and military support to Ukraine, as well as efforts to provide a safe temporary home for Ukrainians displaced by the conflict. While mostly supportive of these actions from the federal government, a few expressed the view that greater attention and resources needed to be devoted towards assisting Canadians living in Canada rather than international objectives.

Public Mood (Quebec Montérégie Region Working Mothers, Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

Two groups were asked a few additional questions regarding their expectations and concerns related to living in Canada in the years to come. Asked what, if anything, made them optimistic about their lives in Canada in the future, participants provided a range of responses. Several in the group comprised of members of the Filipino diaspora spoke positively about what they viewed as increasing rates of immigration to Canada. Among these participants, it was felt that the arrival of a greater number of skilled workers from outside of Canada would benefit the country economically and help to address perceived worker shortages across key sectors such as health care and education. A few, who were immigrants themselves, expressed the opinion that there were typically far more economic and social opportunities available to those living in Canada compared to some other parts of the world. Related to this, several in the group comprised of working mothers in Quebec’s Montérégie region expressed optimism that their children would be able to grow up in a country that prioritized diversity and the promotion of human rights and freedoms. A few specifically mentioned what they viewed as the Government of Canada’s protection of reproductive rights for women and its commitment to defending its citizens from gender-based violence and discrimination. A number in both groups also mentioned the range of supports and benefits available to Canadians, including universal health care, retirement programs such as the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), and the provision of maternity and parental benefits for Canadian families.

Discussing their concerns regarding life in Canada in the future, several identified challenges related to the cost of living and whether it would be possible for themselves and future generations to continue to afford living in Canada. A number were specifically worried about the housing market and the ability of their children to purchase a home. A few expressed concerns about retirement and were uncertain as to whether they would ever be able to afford to stop working, especially if the cost of living remained high for a prolonged period of time. A number in both groups worried about the growing impacts of the Internet and social media on future generations. Among these participants, it was believed that many younger Canadians were becoming increasingly addicted to digital platforms and content and were being exposed to a greater amount of extreme and hateful online rhetoric as a result.

News Sources (Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

Those in the group comprised of members of the Filipino diaspora residing in the Prairies briefly discussed the sources that they would typically use to receive their news. Several reported regularly watching news on television channels such as CBC, CTV, and Global News as well as utilizing social media platforms including Facebook, Reddit, and LinkedIn. A few also reported reading local newspapers as well as receiving news through word of mouth from friends, family, and colleagues. Asked which language they received their news in, most reported primarily consuming English-language news. A smaller number also reported occasionally reading and watching news produced in other languages such as Tagalog, Spanish, and French. Most relied on Canadian-based sources for their news, while a smaller number also followed outlets based in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. Asked where they would likely go if they were looking for news related to the federal government, most cited Canadian news sources such as CBC and Global News as well as official websites operated by the Government of Canada.

Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (All Locations)

All groups took part in conversations related to the issues currently facing Canadians as well as their perspectives regarding the federal government’s management of these priorities. Participants were asked to identify areas in which they felt the Government of Canada was performing well as well as those where they felt there was room for improvement. On a number of issues participants expressed a range of views. These included:

· Inflation and the cost of living - Many felt that inflation and the cost of living were among the top challenges facing Canadians at present. It was thought that many lower and middle-income households were currently struggling to keep pace with rising costs for essentials such as groceries and gasoline as well as increases to their monthly mortgage payments. A few felt more positively, believing that while there were still challenges to address related to the perceived high cost of living at present, the Government of Canada had made progress in its efforts to reduce inflation and had outperformed many of its global peers on this front;

· Immigration – Several spoke positively regarding what they viewed as the federal government’s commitment to immigration and increasing the number of new immigrants arriving in Canada in recent years. A number felt that Canada was very welcoming of immigrants and that there were several supports available, including language training, to assist newcomers in acclimating to their communities. While still supportive of immigration, several were concerned that the Government of Canada was accepting a larger number of new arrivals into the country than could be accommodated at present. Among these participants, it was felt that the perceived increased rate of immigration had outpaced the ability of communities to build the necessary additional infrastructure (including schools, hospitals, and public transportation) that would be required to support a larger population.

· Health care – Many felt that more needed to be done related to health care, including addressing long wait times for emergency care and at walk-in clinics, difficulties experienced by Canadians in finding a family doctor, and perceived widespread worker shortages of doctors and nurses in many communities. It was also thought by several that increased investments also needed to be made towards assisting those suffering from addiction or mental health issues. Some felt more positively, believing that while challenges related to wait times and health worker shortages had increased as of late, the health care system had remained affordable and accessible for most Canadians; and

· Climate change and the environment - Many believed that the federal government had been heavily focused on mitigating the impacts of climate change and that it had worked to implement numerous initiatives on this front. A number, however, were concerned that the action on this front was not being taken with sufficient urgency and that recent extreme weather events such as wildfires and flooding in many parts of the country had made it evident that more needed to be done to address climate change going forward.

Participants also identified a number of areas where they felt that the Government of Canada had been performing well as of late, including:

· Supports for Canadians – A number thought that the federal government had performed well in providing a wide range of benefits and supports to Canadians. Participants identified programs such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), Canada Dental Benefit (CDB), Employment Insurance (EI), and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) as initiatives that they had personally benefitted from either presently or in the past. Participants felt that the process of applying for and receiving these benefits was usually quite simple and expedient, allowing individuals to receive assistance in a timely fashion;

· Diversity – Several believed that the Government of Canada had done a strong job in protecting and promoting the diversity of its multicultural population. It was widely felt that the federal government had worked hard to implement increased protections for groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals from hateful rhetoric and actions. A number in the group comprised of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians spoke positively of the financial supports provided by the federal government to support programming (such as Pride events) for their communities, with a few having personally received these themselves; and

· International assistance – Participants also believed that the Government of Canada had done well in providing military and financial assistance to Ukraine, as well as responding to humanitarian crises such as the massive earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria in February 2023. It was widely thought that Canada had a strong reputation on the global stage and was generally viewed in a positive light around the world.

Additionally, participants mentioned a number of areas in which the Government of Canada had room for improvement. These included:

· Housing – A large number identified housing as another area that required further prioritization from the federal government. It was thought that it had become increasingly difficult to find safe and affordable housing in many Canadian communities, and that high housing costs had negatively impacted renters as well as those looking to purchase a home. Several participants reported being concerned about their own housing situation, including a number whose mortgage payments had increased substantially over the past year. A few were of the impression that the rate of homelessness in their communities had increased considerably in recent years;

· Access to news – A few were concerned about the ramifications of the implementation of Bill C-18 (the Online News Act), notably the subsequent announcements by Meta and Google that they would be blocking news content for Canadian users of their platforms. It was felt that this would make it difficult for those who relied on social media for their news to stay informed. A number believed that the federal government should take action to find a way to bring news back to these platforms; and

· Reconciliation – A number felt that reconciliation with Indigenous peoples needed to be a higher priority for the federal government. It was thought that greater actions needed to be taken to ensure that all Indigenous communities had access to clean drinking water and the same level of federal services as the rest of Canadians. It was also believed that more needed to be done to investigate the disappearances of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

Asked to identify the top issues that they felt the Government of Canada should be prioritizing, many reiterated the need to focus on areas such as inflation and the cost of living, housing, health care, immigration (including the building of necessary infrastructure to support an influx to the population), and climate change. A number also believed that there needed to be a greater focus on providing supports for vulnerable groups such as seniors, those living with disabilities, and individuals suffering from challenges related to mental health and addiction. Some believed that efforts should be taken by the federal government to increase the number of goods and products manufactured in Canada, as well as utilizing a greater amount of the country’s oil and gas reserves to become more energy self-reliant. It was felt that by taking these actions Canadians would be less vulnerable to supply chain and global energy disruptions in the future.

Discussing whether their opinion of the Government of Canada had changed over time, participants residing in Northern Alberta and Quebec’s Montérégie region were mixed in their responses. While most in the Montérégie region reported that their opinion of the federal government had worsened as of late, a large number in Northern Alberta indicated that their views had mostly remained the same. Among those who held a more negative opinion, it was felt that as the rate of inflation and the cost of living had increased, it had become more difficult to view the Government of Canada in a positive light. For those whose opinions had remained more or less the same, it was felt that the federal government had been relatively steady in its actions to address the challenges facing Canadians and had not done anything (positive or negative) that had significantly altered their perceptions of it. Among the smaller number whose opinion of the Government of Canada had improved, participants thought that it had taken action on several fronts to assist Canadians with the cost of living and that the economic outlook was gradually beginning to improve.

Cost of Living (Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community, Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers)

Three groups engaged in expanded discussions related to the cost of living. All believed that the cost of living had risen considerably in recent years and needed to be a top priority for the Government of Canada to focus on. Several were of the impression that it had become increasingly difficult for many Canadian households to make ends meet financially. Almost all reported having changed their spending habits over the past year in response to the high rate of inflation. Describing specific actions that they had taken, many indicated now being far more likely to purchase non-brand name products and groceries as well as seeking out deals and coupons to a far greater extent than they previously had. Several had decreased activities such as dining out at restaurants and attending concerts and other events, while a number reported having taken actions such as postponing planned vacations, delaying major life events such as getting married, or deciding not to purchase a home at this time. A number of those who were homeowners mentioned that significant increases to their mortgage payments over the past year had prompted them to drastically cut back spending across several other areas of their lives. A few had recently moved in with relatives or rented out space in their homes as a way to reduce their monthly household expenses.

Discussing what they felt was behind the rising cost of living, many believed it had resulted from supply chain disruptions and increased fuel and transportation costs thought to be associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and global events such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Several were of the view that a higher rate of immigration to Canada in recent years had contributed to the rising cost of living, placing increased demand on sectors such as housing where costs were already believed to be quite high. Also related to housing, a few were of the opinion that recent decisions by the Bank of Canada to increase interest rates had served to make life more unaffordable for many Canadian homeowners.

Asked if they could recall any actions taken by the Government of Canada to address inflation and the cost of living, several mentioned the provision of a one-time Grocery Rebate which had recently been dispersed to some lower-income Canadians as part of an increase to their quarterly goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit. A few also mentioned initiatives such as the introduction of a tax-free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) for prospective first-time home buyers as well as recent increases to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) payments. Almost all expected that the cost of living would continue to worsen over the next year in the absence of significant action from the federal government. A smaller number were somewhat more optimistic, believing that while prices may not go down in the short term, it was unlikely that they would continue to rise at the same rate as in recent years and that the rate of inflation would eventually return to a more balanced and modest level.

Filipino Canadians (Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

One group, comprised of members of the Filipino diaspora, engaged in a brief discussion related to the Filipino community in Canada. Asked what they felt were the top issues impacting Filipinos that required greater prioritization from the federal government, several mentioned immigration and the need to provide increased resources (such as language training, education about the Canadian financial system, and cultural supports) to those newly arriving to Canada. Focusing on the immigration process specifically, many believed that efforts needed to be taken to expedite application processing times as well as to streamline the foreign credential recognition process for those educated outside of Canada. Regarding the latter, a large number felt that obtaining certification to work in Canada in one’s field of expertise could be an expensive, time-consuming process and that many new immigrants often have to take a temporary job while going through the process or accept a lower-paying position when their credentials are not transferrable. Based on an assumption that this was a federal responsibility, it was thought that by taking action to streamline this process the Government of Canada would make progress in addressing perceived long-standing worker shortages in vital areas such as health care, child care, and education, where it was believed that Filipinos skilled in these areas could make an immediate positive impact. A small number felt somewhat differently, believing that while it was important to ensure that new immigrants were able to work in their fields of expertise, it was also necessary to maintain high standards regarding the credentials and/or training required to work in Canada.

Asked whether they felt that the Government of Canada paid attention to and understood the issues important to the Filipino community, a large number believed that it did. It was generally thought that the federal government placed a high priority on protecting and celebrating diversity throughout Canada and that there was a wide range of cultural resources available to Filipinos in many parts of the country. A few took a somewhat more nuanced perspective, believing that while supports for Filipinos were generally widely present in major urban centres, these were typically less available in more rural communities. Unprompted, a small number voiced the opinion that more should be done to increase foreign relations between the Government of Canada and the Philippines. It was believed that the Philippines served as an important ally for Canada in Southeast Asia and that efforts should be taken to strengthen ties between the two countries going forward.

Safe Third Country Agreement (Rural Quebec)

Participants residing in rural Quebec briefly discussed the Canada-U.S. border, notably the recent expansion of the Canada-United States (U.S.) Safe Third Country Agreement. Discussing whether they had seen, read, or heard about asylum seekers entering Quebec via Roxham Road, a large number reported being aware of this. While a few were of the impression that action had recently been taken to prevent these crossings, none could recall any specific details. Asked whether they had heard of the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, only a small number had. To aid in conversation participants were provided with the following information:

Under the Safe Third Country Agreement, refugee claimants are required to request refugee protection in the first safe country they arrive in, unless they qualify for an exception to the Agreement. Previously, this applied to people entering Canada via an official land border crossing with the United States. Individuals who crossed into Canada outside of an official border crossing (for example, via Roxham Rd) could make an asylum (refugee) claim.

In March, Canada and the United States announced the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement across the entire land border, including internal waterways. This means that anyone crossing the border via Roxham Rd to make an asylum claim who does not meet one of the Agreement’s exceptions, will be returned to the U.S.

Participants were mostly positive in their reactions to this information. A number agreed with this action and felt it would increase the fairness of the immigration system, believing that many of these asylum seekers had been putting themselves ahead of those applying for permanent residency in Canada via other immigration channels. A few, however, were worried that taking this action may have unexpected consequences and expressed concerns that those seeking asylum in Canada may attempt to enter the country via increasingly desperate and dangerous means going forward.

News Media (Greater Toronto Area, Northern Quebec, Mid-Size and Major Centres Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Four groups took part in conversations related to the news industry in Canada. When asked how much time they typically spend reading, watching, or listening to the news, participants provided a range of responses. While the largest number reported consuming approximately 30 minutes – 1 hour of news each day, some reported far less (10-15 minutes per day) while others indicated that they would constantly follow the news throughout the entire day. A small number commented that while they had previously followed the news quite closely, they had felt overwhelmed by the perceived negativity of news stories during the COVID-19 pandemic and now no longer paid as much attention as they used to. Describing their primary sources for news, participants mostly reported utilizing television, news websites, and social media platforms to receive their news. Participants specifically mentioned outlets such as CBC, Global News, CP24, CNN, and BBC as places they usually turn to for televised/digital news while those who utilized social media indicated using platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, with a smaller number using other platforms such as Reddit and LinkedIn. Other methods for receiving news included radio, word of mouth from friends and family, and search engines such as Google. Asked whether they felt that some sources of news were more reliable than others, participants largely believed that news content produced by traditional media outlets was typically more accurate than news stories they encountered on social media. The view was expressed that news found on social media could often be editorialized by the individual posting it and was based more on opinion rather than fact. Focusing specifically on the reliability of different social media platforms, participants indicated a greater level of trust in news found on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn compared to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. A few commented that while Facebook was less reliable for national or world news, it was often a reliable source for finding timely and important news pertaining to their local community or region.

Asked to share their impressions regarding how the news media industry had changed over the last decade, a large number believed that news had become more opinion-oriented and sensationalized in recent years. It was thought that almost every outlet now appeared to have its own perspective and, as such, it could be difficult at times to determine what the truth of a story was. Several also commented on the more instantaneous nature of news today, believing that this was a result of the advent of social media and the ability of users to post news updates about events as they were happening in real time. It was thought that due to the massive amount of news content posted on social media and the perceived growing prevalence of disinformation and misinformation on these platforms it was difficult to take any news at face value. Almost all believed that Canadians now had far more ways to access the news compared to a decade ago and most were of the impression that there were more news outlets operating in Canada today compared to in the past. Regarding the latter, a few clarified that while there were likely more news outlets today, the number of legitimate news organizations following proper journalistic practices had likely decreased. Many living in more rural or mid-sized centres believed that there was considerably less news coverage of local happenings in their communities and that much of the news they received was primarily focused on national or global events. Asked whether they felt that there were more, less, or about the same number of jobs in journalism today compared to ten years ago, some believed that there were likely fewer jobs, while most felt that they did not know enough about the industry to provide an estimate on this front. To aid in conversation, participants were provided with the following information:

Between 2008 and 2020, overall revenue for broadcast television, radio, newspapers, and magazines fell by nearly $6 billion. Since 2008, 474 news media outlets have closed in 335 communities across Canada. At least one-third of Canadian journalism jobs disappeared between 2010 and 2016.

Discussing why they felt this decline had been occurring, many believed it to primarily be the result of the perceived growing reliance of Canadians on the Internet and social media for their news. It was thought by several that with instantaneous access to news from across Canada and around the world via devices such as smartphones there was no longer as much of a need for locally produced television and/or print news. A number also mentioned the rise in what they described as amateur journalism. It was believed that due to the rise of social media over the past decade, it was now easier for individuals without any journalistic training or credentials to gain followings among the users of these platforms, and that in some cases, these individuals garnered more views than more traditional media outlets. Asked to what extent this decline in the number of Canadian news outlets was concerning to them, only a small number indicated being worried about this issue. While a few expressed concerns that the decrease in news outlets could lead to less legitimate sources being available to Canadians, most believed that this did not represent a problem, so long as major outlets such as CBC, CTV, and Global News continued to provide accurate information. Discussing whether they were worried about the impact of this issue on smaller communities (including Indigenous communities and official language minority communities) most believed that there would still be ways for individuals in these areas to access news pertaining to local issues, including from trusted users on social media who were based in their communities. While few felt that they would be personally impacted by this decline in the number of Canadian news outlets, some believed that this issue may be more acutely felt by older generations, who they expected were likely more reliant on local television and newspapers for their news.

Asked whether they felt that protecting and supporting the Canadian news industry should be a priority for the federal government, few agreed. While it was widely felt that the Government of Canada should continue to ensure that news was widely accessible to all Canadians in the official language of their choice, only a small number believed that the news industry in general should be a top priority at present. It was generally felt that most Canadians had access to a wide range of news sources on a variety of platforms and that there were currently more pressing issues for the federal government to focus on, such as housing affordability and the cost of living. While a large number believed that the Government of Canada had recently taken action related to this issue, few could recall any details. To clarify, participants were provided with the following information:

Recently, the Government of Canada passed a law requiring some large digital platforms to pay news outlets for news stories on these companies’ platforms. The Government of Canada says that since digital platforms benefit from sharing news content on their platforms, both directly (advertising near news) and indirectly (user engagement, data refinement, subsequent targeted advertising), it is important that these big tech companies compensate media fairly.

Participants were mixed in their reactions to this information. While most residing in Northern Quebec were supportive, almost all based in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and mid-size centres in Ontario were opposed. Among those who supported this action, it was felt that locally based news and strong journalistic practices were critical for keeping people informed about the happenings around them and that unless action was taken to protect these outlets it was likely that there would be fewer legitimate Canadian news organizations operating going forward. The view was also expressed that much of the news content people received at present was guided by advertising and algorithms on social media and that if this continued to be the case the reach of certain points of view or dissenting opinions may be suppressed or otherwise difficult to access. For those who were opposed to this action, it was felt that requiring digital platforms to pay for the news shared on their platforms may have the unintended consequence of reducing the amount of news available to Canadians, especially those who primarily receive their news from social media. A few expressed that this already seemed to be taking place in the wake of decisions by Meta and potentially Google to no longer host news content on their platforms in Canada. A few voiced the opinion that, rather than being a detriment, it was beneficial for Canadian outlets to have their news shared on social media, based on a sense that this greatly increased the reach of their content and could have the additional benefit of driving more users to the websites operated by these organizations. Among participants who were more uncertain, it was questioned how much social media platforms would be expected to pay to news outlets under this new legislation and whether these payments would be going directly to the news outlets themselves.

Suicide Prevention (Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community, Northern Alberta)

Content Advisory: Please note that the following section deals with the topic of suicide and emotional distress and may be upsetting for some readers.

The Government of Canada is currently working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on the implementation of 9-8-8, a three-digit number for suicide prevention and emotional distress. The number is not live in Canada yet. It will launch on November 30^th, 2023.

Participants were presented with a number of potential statements designed to promote and provide information related to the 9-8-8 service and were informed that these statements would likely appear in advertisements, on social media, and/or on other digital platforms. The first statement shown was:

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or in emotional distress, there is help. Call or text 9-8-8 for support 24/7/365. People can also call or text 9-8-8 if they are worried about a loved one who may be thinking of suicide and need support.

Most were positive in their reactions and felt that it would be immensely beneficial to have a service such as this in place. It was thought that 9-8-8 would be easy for people to remember and that a large number of Canadians would likely consider using this service in times of emotional crisis. Though reacting positively to the introduction of a 9-8-8 service, a small number felt that the numerical phrasing (24/7/365) utilized in the statement may be difficult for some to comprehend. A few also reported feeling that there needed to be a greater emphasis on the confidentiality of the service. A number reacted positively to the inclusion of texting as a method of accessing the service, believing that this was likely a preferable way for many to reach out, especially among younger Canadians. Asked to describe their understanding of the term ‘emotional distress’, most interpreted it to refer to those situations in which an individual is feeling increasingly helpless and is potentially considering harming themselves. It was believed that, if left unaddressed, emotional distress had the potential to escalate into critical situations. A few reported having experienced emotional distress in the past and had reached out to suicide prevention services similar to 9-8-8 for assistance. Questioned as to whether they felt the statement would be improved if the phrase ‘emotional distress’ was removed, some felt that it would make the message more straightforward, while a larger number felt it was important to include emotional distress. Among these participants, it was thought that the inclusion of emotional distress in the message may prompt a larger number of individuals to call who may be in crisis but are not yet experiencing suicidal ideations. It was felt that by encouraging those experiencing emotional distress to reach out, the 9-8-8 service could help prevent their mental health crises from escalating into self-harm. Asked whether they felt phrases such as ‘feeling suicidal’ or ‘suicidal feelings’ would resonate more with individuals than ‘suicidal thoughts’, most indicated a preference for suicidal thoughts. It was felt by several that these alternative phrasings were less direct and did not convey as much urgency as ‘suicidal thoughts.’ Discussing ways to improve this statement, a number suggested adjusting the language to make it warmer and more compassionate, placing an emphasis on the 9-8-8 service’s ability to provide a non-judgemental person to talk to and help them with their struggles.

The second statement shown to participants was:

Approximately 12 people in Canada die by suicide each day. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, there is help. Text or call 9-8-8 for support from a trained responder.

Reactions to this statement were mixed, with most focusing on the first sentence and its use of a statistic to communicate its message. While some believed the statistic added legitimacy to the statement and that it was compelling and effective in conveying the gravity of the situation, others felt that it was cold and could be interpreted as reducing those who commit suicide to a number. A few suggested that rather than including a statistic about the number of people who die by suicide each day, the message could focus on the number of people who reach out for help each day to the 9-8-8 service. Several participants reacted more positively to the latter part of the message, appreciating the inclusion of information about the trained responders who would be operating the service. It was believed that this would provide additional confidence and peace of mind to those considering reaching out. Asked whether they felt there was a difference between the terms ‘crisis’ and ‘emotional distress’, some believed that crisis indicated a greater sense of urgency and was more action oriented. While feeling both phrases were effective, however, a number reiterated their preference for emotional distress, believing it was more impactful and would encourage a larger number of those struggling with their mental health to use the service.

Participants were then asked to share their perspectives regarding a number of important features of the service. All felt that it was important to emphasize confidentiality as it would provide those in need of assistance with the reassurance that their conversations would be conducted in a safe and private manner. Adding to this, a few commented that due to what they viewed as the ongoing stigma related to mental health issues, maintaining and promoting confidentiality was likely a key factor in encouraging individuals to use this service. Very few were familiar with the term ‘trauma-informed’, with several believing that this phrase was unlikely to resonate with much of the general public. Among the small number who were aware of this term, it was expressed that 9-8-8 being trauma-informed added to their confidence in the service and the trained responders operating it. While some expressed that it was important for the service to be culturally inclusive, a larger number felt that this was likely not a top priority for those suffering from emotional crises. While it was viewed as beneficial for the service to be inclusive, most felt that the key focus needed to be on providing those calling/texting 9-8-8 with help for their immediate problems rather than ensuring that the assistance provided aligned with their unique cultures and backgrounds. While a few believed that it was intuitive that this service would be free and did not feel this needed to be emphasized, several felt differently. Among these participants, it was expressed that cost was often a deterrent for many in seeking help for their mental health and that it was important to highlight the free nature of the service.

The next statement shown to participants was:

Free, confidential mental health support is available any time, from anywhere in Canada. This includes 9-8-8 suicide prevention and crisis support, as well as other non-crisis mental health supports at Canada.ca/mental-health.

While a number reacted positively to what they viewed as the broader language and inclusion of non-crisis mental health supports in this statement, many felt that it was at the expense of decreasing the focus on suicide prevention and the promotion of the 9-8-8 service. It was thought by several that the 9-8-8 line did not stand out amidst other elements such as the link to the Government of Canada website, making this statement less impactful as a result. The view was expressed by many that too much information was contained in the statement and as a result, the overall message promoting the 9-8-8 service would not be clear to those who encounter it. A few in the group based in Northern Alberta reacted positively to the service being available any time, from anywhere in Canada, feeling this would be reassuring for those living in rural or remote communities. Asked whether they felt that it was made clear in the statement which action (calling 9-8-8 or utilizing other, non-crisis supports) one should take depending on the state of their mental health, several did not believe that it was. The view was expressed that when one is experiencing a mental health crisis, it is often difficult to determine which action to take or how serious the situation is. As such, it was felt that efforts could be taken to make this statement clearer and more succinct, with a greater focus on the 9-8-8 line.

The fourth statement presented to participants was:

When you call 9-8-8, the priority is to help you stay safe and feel supported. Emergency services, such as 9-1-1, will only be called if you are at risk of dying or seriously harming yourself. Calling emergency services only happens in a very small number of cases.

Asked whether they felt it was important to distinguish 9-8-8 services from 9-1-1, most believed that it was. However, many participants felt that the addition of 9-1-1 added confusion and could lead to those in crisis being uncertain as to which service they should be reaching out to. A few thought that including mentions of 9-1-1 and the potential for emergency services to be called might make individuals reluctant to use the 9-8-8 service at all, out of fear of this happening. Concerns were also expressed that explicit mentions of self-harm in the statement could potentially prompt those in emotional distress to consider taking these actions. Discussing how they would improve this message, a large number stated that references to 9-1-1 should be removed, with the focus solely on promoting the 9-8-8 service.

Focusing on the 9-8-8 service more generally, participants were asked what types of promotional materials, information resources, or advertising about 9-8-8 they would be most likely to pay attention to. It was widely felt that this information should be presented across a wide range of platforms and targeted towards a variety of demographics (with a particular focus on younger Canadians). Areas mentioned by participants where 9-8-8 could be advertised included on social media, television and radio, and on physical spaces such as bus benches and billboards. It was felt that given the perceived prevalence of mental health concerns among Canadians right now, the focus should be on reaching as many people as possible. A number expressed that it would be helpful to include additional information regarding what those reaching out could expect after calling/texting 9-8-8. A few questioned whether there would be ways for those who may not have access to a phone to also access these services. Almost all reported that they would be motivated to share information regarding 9-8-8 with family, friends, and others in their lives who may require assistance.

Participants in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Atlantic Canada were shown a selection of potential names for the 9-8-8 service. These included:

· 9-8-8 Talk Suicide;

· 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline; and

· 9-8-8: Call/text for suicide crisis help

In both groups, 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline received the highest level of support, with many feeling that it was the most straightforward and informative of the options. Several were of the view that 9-8-8 Talk Suicide was too casual for such a serious issue and would be off-putting to potential users of the service. Though most reacted positively to the focus on texting contained in 9-8-8: Call/text for suicide crisis help, a number were of the view that this option was too long to be an effective name for the 9-8-8 service.

Housing (Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, City of Vancouver Renters, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Housing Initiatives (Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, City of Vancouver Renters, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

All three groups engaged in discussions related to a range of housing initiatives recently announced by the Government of Canada. Asked whether they had seen, read, or heard anything related to the federal government’s policies on housing, only a small number indicated that they had. Among those who were aware, a few specifically mentioned the creation of the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. Discussing what they felt were the biggest challenges related to housing that required greater attention from the Government of Canada, several believed that more needed to be done to increase the housing supply, including building homes that were affordable for lower- and middle-income Canadians. Speaking on housing more generally, a number believed that efforts needed to be taken to reduce the role of residential housing as an investment vehicle and, going forward, to treat housing more akin to a utility and basic necessity. Asked to identify the biggest barriers they had encountered when seeking to purchase their first home, participants in the group comprised of first-time home buyers residing in Interior British Columbia (B.C.) described a range of issues. These included the significant amounts required for a down payment, difficulties in securing a large enough mortgage to afford a home in their area, and challenges related to saving up enough money to purchase a home amidst the perceived high cost of living at present. Discussing potential actions that could be taken by the Government of Canada to assist prospective first-time home buyers, participants in this group felt that more needed to be done to make the prices of homes more affordable for a larger number of Canadians. It was felt that without a tangible decrease in the cost of residential housing, many individuals would continue to be priced out of the market altogether. The view was also expressed that actions should be taken to reduce interest rates for first-time home buyers, making it easier for them to get a mortgage and purchase a home.

Participants were next shown numerous housing initiatives that had recently been announced by the Government of Canada. All groups were presented with the following:

· Introducing a new Tax-Free First Home Savings Account to allow Canadians to save up to $40,000, tax-free, to help buy their first home;

· The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, a shared-equity mortgage with the Government of Canada which provides a 5% or 10% down payment towards the purchasing of a first home;

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

· Doubling the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit to provide up to $1,500 in direct support to home buyers to offset closing costs involved in buying a first home; and

· Investing $200 million to increase rent-to-own housing options;

Those in the City of Vancouver were shown an additional set of initiatives (participants in Interior B.C. were also provided with information related to the initiative to ban blind bidding):

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

· Banning all non-Canadians who live outside of Canada from buying houses in Canada for two years (also known as the foreign buyers ban) to ensure that houses are used as homes for Canadians to live in, rather than as financial assets for foreign investors;

· Introducing a house flipping tax to deter investors from buying up houses for the purpose of quickly re-selling them at a higher price;

· Taxing assignment sales of new or renovated housing 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);

· Launching a new $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund to remove barriers and incentivize housing supply growth, with the goal of creating at least 100,000 new homes across Canada.

Participants shared a range of reactions to these initiatives. Discussing the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), some thought this initiative might be helpful, while others generally believed that even if one were able to achieve the maximum benefit of this program by saving up to $40,000 tax-free, it would likely fall short in terms of affording a down payment in most Canadian communities. Additionally, several felt that under the current economic climate it could be very difficult to save at all and, as a result, it was expected that few lower and middle-income households would be able to make use of this program. Opinions were mixed regarding the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. While some believed that this could provide select Canadians with an avenue to homeownership, participants questioned what would happen if those using this program were no longer able to make their payments or if the value of their property declined substantially. Most reacted positively to the decision to expand the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, increasing its flexibility and making it easier for single Canadians to access. It was generally felt that those without partners faced even greater difficulty in purchasing a home and that any support on this front would be useful. None felt that doubling the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC) would have much of an impact, believing that the $1500 of additional support would make very little difference considering the substantial costs of purchasing a home in most communities. While a number felt that increased investments towards rent-to-own initiatives could provide a useful way for those who could not afford a substantial down payment to build up equity in a property, a few had reservations about this program. Among these participants, it was questioned whether one would lose all the equity they had built up if their circumstances changed (due to loss of employment or having to move) and they could no longer participate in the program. While most were supportive of the action to temporarily ban non-Canadians from purchasing residential property for two years, several believed that this action should go further and that this ban should be made permanent. Likewise, while the Housing Accelerator Fund was seen as a step in the right direction, a few questioned whether the $4 billion investment would be enough considering the number of houses they believed would need to be built to meet the current level of demand. While mostly positive in their reactions, few specifically commented on the initiatives to ban blind bidding, introduce a house flipping tax, and impose a tax on the assignment sales of new or renovated housing.

All groups were provided with additional information related to the FHSA:

The New Tax-Free First Home Savings Account gives prospective first-time home buyers the ability to save up to $40,000 on a tax-free basis. Similar to the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), contributions will be tax-deductible, and withdrawals to purchase a first home, including from investment income, will be non-taxable, like a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). It will be tax-free in and out.

Asked whether they thought that the creation of the FHSA would help to make homeownership more attainable, several reiterated their view that while this program was helpful, home prices were typically too high, and it was too difficult to save at present for this initiative to have any tangible impact. Focusing on all of these initiatives as a whole, very few felt that these would do much in the way of assisting prospective home buyers, believing that the housing market in many cities was too expensive for any of these measures to have much of an effect.

Renters (City of Vancouver Renters, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Participants in two groups engaged in discussions related to actions taken by the Government of Canada specifically focused on supporting renters. Participants in the group from the City of Vancouver were recruited on the basis that they were either currently renting or actively looking for a place to rent. All in this group felt that the rental situation in their community was very challenging. It was widely believed that rental costs in Vancouver were too high, there was too much competition for available rentals, and that landlords often took advantage of this situation to drive rental costs up further. Several in this group believed that a lack of new affordable housing developments as well as the growing popularity of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb had served to further exacerbate this issue. All felt that this situation had worsened in recent years. Discussing actions that could be taken to improve the situation for renters in Vancouver, participants mentioned potential initiatives such as implementing caps on the amount of rent that can be charged by landlords, building more housing for the specific purpose of providing affordable rentals, and placing limits on the number of properties an individual or business could own to ensure that housing remained accessible to a wider number of individuals.

Both groups were asked which level of government they felt was best equipped to address the challenges currently being faced by renters. Almost all believed that this was a responsibility of the provincial government. Several were of the impression that housing was primarily under the purview of the provinces and territories and believed that governments at this level would likely be best equipped to enact change in this area. A number also thought that the federal government had a responsibility to address challenges related to housing (both for renters and homeowners), believing that it could work to develop a national housing policy and provide additional financial resources to the provinces/territories to build more housing. Municipalities were also felt to play an important role on this front due to their likely more in-depth knowledge of the specific needs of their respective communities.

Asked whether they could recall any actions that the Government of Canada had taken to address the current challenges facing renters, few could. While a small number mentioned the provision of a one-time $500 top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) for some lower-income households earlier in 2023, none were aware of any other actions from the federal government on this front. Discussing what, if anything, the Government of Canada should do to support renters, participants reiterated the need for actions such as placing caps on how much rent a landlord can charge, building more housing with a specific focus on affordable rental developments, and increasing support for those currently struggling to afford their monthly rent. Participants were then provided with the following information related to the CHB:

As part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Housing Benefit in 2020, to help low-income renters with the cost of housing. Low-income renters receive this benefit every month; the amount varies by province. In 2022, the Government of Canada announced that a top-up of the Canada Housing Benefit would be available to low-income renters in Canada, who could receive a one-time payment of $500.

Very few recalled having received this support and a number had questions regarding the income threshold for this initiative, believing it might have been set too low. While a small number expected that this support might provide some households with some temporary relief from high rental costs at present, none believed that this would have any impact on the long-term problems facing renters. Very few felt that the Government of Canada was headed in the right direction with this measure. Several expressed the view that the federal government should instead place a greater focus on actions such as increasing the housing supply, imposing greater restrictions on short-term rentals, and regulating (including potentially capping) the amount of rent landlords can charge. It was believed that by taking these actions the Government of Canada could help to ensure a fairer and more affordable rental market.

Housing Supply (Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario)

Two groups also took part in conversations related to potential actions that could be taken by the federal government to increase the housing supply in Canada. Asked what they had seen, read, or heard about any work the Government of Canada had done or was planning on doing to encourage the construction of more homes, few could. While most were of the impression that the federal government had made commitments to build more housing, including for lower-income Canadians, none could recall any specific initiatives or details. To aid in conversation, participants were informed that the Government of Canada had recently announced the Housing Accelerator Fund, a $4 billion fund that provides money to municipal governments to encourage them to take steps to increase the local housing supply in their communities. Most reacted positively to this information, believing any actions taken to increase the housing supply represented a step in the right direction. A few, however, expressed concern about the long-term quality of these homes if they were built too quickly and did not follow typical homebuilding procedures. Several expected that while this action would likely have a positive impact in the long-term, it may take a significant amount of time for communities to build the number of homes necessary to address the housing needs of their residents. A few were concerned that the homes built would still be unaffordable for many Canadians and that actions needed to be taken to ensure new housing developments would be accessible to lower and middle-income Canadians.

All supported taking action to increase the housing supply in their respective communities. Asked whether they felt that there should be consequences for municipalities that do not prioritize building enough homes, participants were mixed in their reactions. While a number believed that there should be consequences for communities that do not actively seek to build more homes, several thought this should be determined on a community-by-community basis. It was expressed that due to factors such as existing community planning strategies, a lack of necessary infrastructure, zoning requirements, and/or environmental concerns, it may be difficult for some municipalities to build more housing and that they should not be punished as a result. A few also questioned whether it was the responsibility of municipalities to build more homes, reiterating their impression that this was primarily a provincial responsibility. Asked whether they had any concerns about building more homes faster in their community, a number reiterated concerns that these houses might be of low quality and that the housing built may still not be affordable for many of those living there. Some also questioned whether there would be enough resources available to build the additional infrastructure (such as public transportation, hospitals, and schools) that would need to accompany new large-scale housing developments. Focusing on municipal zoning, participants were informed that:

Municipal zoning bylaws control the use of land in your community. They are set by municipal governments and state exactly how land may be used, where buildings and other structures can be located, the types of buildings that are permitted, and how they may be used.

Asked what impact, if any, they felt municipal zoning bylaws could have on the building of more homes, most believed these had a significant influence as they determined what types of housing could be built and where. While some felt that communities should be encouraged to adjust their zoning bylaws to allow for the building of more homes, a roughly equal number thought this may not be the best course of action. Among these participants, it was felt that many municipalities had likely been planned around existing zoning bylaws and that adjusting them may have unintended consequences on the community and the surrounding environment. While a few were concerned about increased densification in their neighbourhoods, most believed that this was acceptable if it meant there would be more affordable housing available. Asked what more they felt the Government of Canada should do to assist in the building of more homes, participants recommended a number of actions. These included converting vacant commercial real estate and offices into residential housing, building affordable rental housing targeted towards specific groups such as seniors and students, and recruiting more Canadians to pursue careers in the trades in order to carry out the building of more homes.

Climate Change (Northern Alberta, Rural Nova Scotia, Rural Quebec)

Three groups took part in discussions related to climate change. These conversations focused on the recent impacts of climate change on participants’ communities, actions that can be taken on an individual level to mitigate the dangers of climate change, and the Government of Canada’s response to the large-scale wildfires that had recently been occurring in many parts of the country.

Community Impacts (Northern Alberta, Rural Nova Scotia, Rural Quebec)

All three groups engaged in a conversation related to climate change and recent extreme weather events (such as wildfires, mass flooding, and windstorms) that had been impacting several parts of the country, including in their respective regions. All felt that climate change was an important priority for the federal government to focus on and many were concerned about the potential impacts a changing environment would have on their own lives as well as those of future generations. A large number expressed the view that recent wildfires and/or flooding in their respective areas had been the result of climate change and had served as a strong reminder of the potential threats this issue posed. While still supportive of taking action to mitigate the impacts of climate change, a small number felt that initiatives such as the transition from oil and gas to more renewable energy sources should be taken very gradually. It was believed that too rapid of a transition on this front would likely have adverse financial impacts on Canadians and the Canadian economy.

Discussing the impacts of climate change that participants had observed in their own communities, many in Northern Alberta mentioned recent wildfires. Several were of the impression that recent wildfires had led to significant property loss in some communities as well as a considerable drop in the air quality as a result of the smoke produced by these fires. A number in rural Quebec recalled facing challenges related to flooding in their local regions as well as poor air quality due to smoke from nearby wildfires. In addition to the recent damage caused by wildfires and flooding in their area, many in Nova Scotia recalled the devastating impact of Hurricane Fiona on their communities in 2022 and were worried that severe storms such as this would be occurring in their region with increasing frequency going forward. Several expressed concerns about the impact that changing/more extreme weather patterns could have on agricultural production within their provinces and questioned whether it would still be possible to produce enough food to meet the needs of Canadians in the decades to come. Related to this, a few of those who lived in rural communities expressed concerns about food security in their areas, especially in the event of an extreme weather event disrupting supply chains and making it difficult to transport food and other essential goods into the region. Very few felt that their communities were sufficiently prepared for climate change and only a small number reported having taken actions in their own lives to better prepare for its impacts going forward. Among those who had begun preparing for climate change, participants reported taking actions such as storing emergency supplies of food and water, planting a home garden, and changing their daily habits to reduce their carbon footprint. Some in Nova Scotia also reported having purchased a generator and/or heat pump system to ensure that they would still be able to heat their homes in the event of power outages caused by windstorms and other potential weather events.

Asked an additional question as to whether they felt it was important for the federal government to assist communities in preparing for climate change, almost all in rural Quebec believed that it was. While few were aware of any recent actions from the Government of Canada on this front, a small number recalled its commitment to planting 2 billion trees in Canada over a period of ten years. Discussing additional actions that could be taken to reduce the impacts of climate change, some felt that more should be done by the federal government to regulate the industrial activities of larger companies, believing that these were responsible for a significant amount of the carbon emissions produced in Canada.

Climate Change Behaviours (Rural Quebec)

Participants in rural Quebec took part in an additional discussion regarding actions that could be taken on an individual level to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Asked whether they felt that individuals had a responsibility to help stop climate change, almost all did. Discussing individual behaviours that could help prevent climate change, participants identified actions such as recycling and reducing household waste, growing food in a garden, converting to more energy-efficient home heating systems, and utilizing public and/or active transportation rather than personal automobiles. Participants largely felt that actions such as recycling and gardening were generally easier for individuals to carry out compared to reducing one’s energy consumption or taking public transportation (especially in rural communities where transportation options could be quite limited). A few commented that it was difficult in their communities to recycle certain types of goods, such as electronics, due to the lack of availability of recycling programs for these items.

Asked whether, over the next six months, they intended to engage in more, less, or about the same number of pro-climate actions, a roughly equal number of participants expected that they would do more as those who would likely continue to do the same. A number of those who expected to do more planned to engage in actions such as reducing their consumption and composting to a greater extent. Most of those who expected that their behaviours would be relatively unchanged felt they were already doing as much as they could on an individual level to mitigate the impacts of climate change. No participants planned on engaging in fewer pro-climate actions over the next six months. Most did not believe that others in Canada were taking enough action to help combat climate change at present. Questioned whether knowing others were taking action to stop climate change would likely influence them to do the same, most felt that it would, believing that the actions of others would serve as a source of motivation and encouragement. Asked whether they felt that individual actions, taken on a collective level, could have an impact on reducing the impacts of climate change, almost all believed this to be the case. Several felt that a long-term transition to renewable energy sources, including the widespread use of electric vehicles (EVs) would have a significant impact on combatting climate change. A few were more skeptical, believing that EVs had their own environmental drawbacks due to the materials required for their batteries and the difficulties in recycling these batteries.

Wildfire Response (Northern Alberta)

Participants residing in Northern Alberta engaged in an additional conversation specifically focusing on the Government of Canada’s response to recent wildfires in their region. Asked what they had seen, read, or heard related to the federal government on this front, a number were of the impression that the federal government had deployed Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel as well as recruited firefighters from outside of Canada to assist with the response. Most felt that the Government of Canada had done a strong job in responding to this emergency, believing it had reacted quickly and decisively to combat the fires and assist those who had been displaced from their homes. Several expressed the opinion that this had been a significant improvement compared to previous responses to wildfires, such as those in Fort McMurray in 2016, where they felt that the federal government had been far less effective in its actions. To aid in conversation, participants were provided with information related to the actions the Government of Canada had taken in response to the recent wildfires in the region:

· Working with provinces and non-profits to match donations, raising $20 million in support for community groups in Alberta;

· Giving financial aid to affected provinces to help with response costs and covering up to 90% of their eligible recovery costs;

· Deploying the Canadian Armed Forces to help with firefighting, planning, coordination, and other response tasks;

· Using national emergency stockpiles of medical supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals to help affected provinces;

· Helping those impacted by wildfires access benefits like Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, and the Canada Pension Plan; and

· Implementing a two-year Training Pilot program to train more firefighters.

While participants reported having been largely unaware of the majority of these initiatives, most believed that these actions were headed in the right direction when it came to assisting those impacted by the fires. A few felt that more should be done to communicate these actions to Albertans, believing that most were unaware of these initiatives and the supports that may be available to them. Asked what more should be done by the federal government to address wildfires, it was thought that greater resources should be placed into assisting communities with the development of emergency response plans to ensure that they are better prepared for these types of events going forward. It was also felt that increased investments should be made into volunteer firefighter programs, with several believing that these were heavily relied on by rural and remote communities to protect themselves against wildfires.

Carbon Pricing (Rural Nova Scotia)

One group, comprised of participants residing in rural communities in Nova Scotia, discussed the recent implementation of a federal price on carbon in their province. Almost all felt that reducing carbon pollution was an important priority for the Government of Canada to focus on. Several believed that carbon pollution was a significant driver of climate change and that it had been a major contributing factor to what they viewed as an increased number of extreme weather events in recent years. A few participants who were younger in age believed that it was essential to take urgent action now to combat climate change in order to protect their quality of life in the future. While all reported having heard something about carbon pollution pricing in Canada, several were uncertain as to whether there was currently a federal price on carbon in place in Nova Scotia. Some had heard that a federal carbon pricing system would soon be in place in the province, though they were uncertain as to whether it had officially been implemented. Asked whether they had heard anything about Climate Action Incentive Payments (CAIPs) a greater number reported being unaware of these payments relative to those who were. Among those who had heard something, it was believed that CAIPs were essentially rebates that Canadian households would receive back from the federal government to account for the additional costs of the federal price on carbon. Very few reported having received a CAIP to date. To aid in conversation, participants were provided with the following information:

In 2016, the Government of Canada announced a plan to put a price on carbon pollution across the country. There are two parts to carbon pollution pricing – a fuel charge and a separate system for industry. Provinces and territories either use the federal price on pollution or propose their own systems, as long as it meets the standard set out by the federal government.

While several reiterated that it was important to take action to reduce carbon pollution, none felt that the implementation of a price on carbon was the right action to take at this time. Many expressed concerns that this would lead to an overall increase in the cost of living and would make it harder for Canadian households (many of whom were already believed to be struggling due to high inflation) to make ends meet financially. A number believed that this initiative would have a disproportionate impact on those living rurally who had to drive long distances during their daily activities and were unable to reduce their emissions even if they desired to. Several were of the opinion that this action would have little impact on reducing carbon emissions overall and did not believe that it should be pursued by the Government of Canada. Participants were next provided with additional information related to the implementation of carbon pricing in Nova Scotia:

Starting July 1, 2023, Nova Scotia began using the federal system. Under the federal system, all proceeds collected from the price on carbon pollution in each province will stay in that province. 90% of proceeds will be returned directly to Nova Scotians via Climate Action Incentive payments, which are sometimes referred to as pollution price rebates. Payments will go out quarterly with a family of 4 receiving $248 each quarter.

The goal of this system is to encourage people to reduce their emissions, while also giving them the flexibility to decide when and how to do it. The idea is that the more changes a household makes (e.g., using different modes of transportation, switching from a natural gas furnace to an electric heat pump), the more they will save by not having to pay the fuel charge. At the same time, most households receive more money back through the Climate Action Incentive payments than they pay on the fuel charge.

Asked whether they felt that this approach to pricing carbon pollution made sense, none felt that it did. Many believed that rather than improving the lives of Canadians, this system would significantly increase the cost of living, both in terms of the additional costs paid directly by consumers as well as what they expected would be increasing costs for businesses to manufacture and transport goods both within and outside of Canada. It was expected that increased manufacturing and transportation costs would ultimately lead to higher prices being passed on to consumers across a wide range of goods and services. The view was expressed that rather than implementing a price on carbon, the federal government should instead devote greater resources towards incentivizing Canadians to install devices such as solar panels and heat pumps in their homes that would assist them in reducing their household emissions. It was thought that while initiatives such as the Canada Greener Homes Grant had been helpful, the amounts provided were often not enough for many to be able to afford these types of retrofitting projects. Focusing on the need to provide additional supports for Canadians living rurally, participants were informed that:

For residents of small and rural communities, the Climate Action Incentive payments include a rural supplement of 10% (i.e., a 10% top up to their payments), since Canadians in these communities do not necessarily have the same options available to reduce their emissions, particularly when it comes to transportation.

While a number thought it was a step in the right direction for the Government of Canada to take the additional challenges faced by those living in rural communities into consideration when developing this initiative, none indicated that this action had changed their impressions regarding a federal price on carbon. Most reiterated the view that this program was too costly and would have a negative impact on Nova Scotians by making life more expensive in both the short and long term. The view was also expressed that rather than increasing CAIP amounts for those living rurally, the federal government should focus more on expanding public transportation systems in these communities. It was believed that this would have a greater impact in the long-term towards reducing carbon emissions.

Jobs and the Economy (Quebec Montérégie Region Working Mothers)

Participants in one group, comprised of working mothers residing in the Montérégie region of Québec, shared their perspectives regarding the current employment market, the cost of living, and their experiences as parents amidst the present economic climate. Asked how they would rate the Canadian job market at present, participants were mixed in their assessments. Several were of the impression that the employment market was quite strong, believing that there was presently a large number of jobs available across a wide range of sectors. It was felt that rather than there being too few jobs available, there was instead a shortage of workers available to fill them. A few expressed the opinion that a large number of Canadians, and younger people in particular, did not seem to be interested in working for the wages currently being offered by employers. A number felt that this was understandable, believing that it was the responsibility of employers to offer prospective workers a living wage and sufficient benefits and that many of the positions did not do so.

Asked whether they felt that the Canadian job market would be better, worse, or about the same in five years' time, several expected it to worsen. It was thought that automation and the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) would lead to fewer positions being available to prospective workers. Additionally, a few expressed concerns that there would be a growing worker shortage in fields such as the trades, which were believed to be less popular among younger Canadians at present. A slightly smaller number expected that the job market would stay relatively the same, while very few thought it would improve. Asked whether they were concerned about the prospects of automation and AI negatively impacting their own jobs, most were not, believing that AI had its limitations and would continue to require human input and oversight to function properly. Questioned whether they felt that the Government of Canada was on the right track when it came to creating good jobs, most were uncertain. Several were unaware of any actions taken by the federal government on this front, while others had not searched for a job for a long time and were uncertain as to the desirability of the positions that were currently available. The opinion was expressed that more could be done by the Government of Canada to improve employment conditions for working parents, including by implementing standards to ensure employers were supportive and accepting of the work-life balance required for most parents. Asked whether they were aware of anything that the federal government was currently doing to support workers, a number were of the impression that it had offered a wide range of training/education grants and wage subsidies to assist workers in certain sectors, though none could recall any specific details.

Focusing on the economy more broadly, most believed that the Government of Canada was currently on the wrong track when it came to its management of issues such as the cost of living, inflation, and ensuring Canadians were able to continue to make ends meet financially. A number thought that more needed to be done by the Government of Canada to lower inflation. Discussing specific actions that could be taken, a few recommended that the federal government reduce its spending and endeavour to achieve a balanced budget, believing that high public spending both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic had been a key driver influencing the rising cost of living. A small number felt more positively, believing that issues such as high inflation and the rising cost of living had been occurring on a global level and that the Government of Canada had performed better than many of its peers in its management of the economy. Asked which economic issues they were most worried about from their perspective as working mothers, most mentioned the general rise in the cost of living, commenting that the prices of essentials such as groceries, gasoline, clothing, and school supplies had all risen considerably in recent years. Several reported having taken actions such as cutting back on recreational and entertainment expenses for themselves and their children, postponing family vacations, and having had to seek out assistance from family members to pay for after-school programs such as sports. A few specifically identified the cost of housing as an area of concern, with some describing that they had recently postponed plans to purchase a home due to concerns over whether they would be able to afford the down payment as well as higher mortgage payments than they had previously expected.

Asked whether they felt that the Government of Canada understood the economic issues most important to them an equal number believed that it did as those who felt otherwise. Among those who felt that the federal government understood the challenges they were facing, it was felt that the benefits and programs it had offered demonstrated that it was doing the best it could to assist Canadians who were struggling with the rising cost of living. Among those who felt differently, it was believed that while the Government of Canada was aware that many households were struggling at present, it underestimated the severity of the situation and needed to take more significant actions to address these challenges. Questioned whether they could recall any recent actions taken by the federal government related to the cost of living, a few were of the impression that it had recently increased a number of the benefits it provided to Canadians to keep pace with the rate of inflation. Asked specifically if they were aware of the recent one-time Grocery Rebate provided by the federal government to assist Canadians with the cost of groceries, several were. Almost all, however, felt that the amounts provided through this support were too low and that it had not been made available to a wide enough number of households to have a tangible impact on the high cost of groceries at present. Related to this, a small number believed that the federal government should consider implementing price caps on essential goods such as groceries and gasoline to ensure that these products would continue to be affordable for Canadian households.

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a means-tested income support program for Canadian families. It is delivered as a tax-free monthly payment available to eligible Canadian families to help with the cost of raising children. The CCB is indexed to inflation.

The Government of Canada is implementing a Dental Benefit to help lower dental costs for eligible families earning less than $90,000.

Participants were very positive in their reactions to this information, with several feeling it was especially important for benefits such as the CCB to be indexed to the rate of inflation. Focusing on the CDB, a number who did not have dental benefits and/or insurance through their employer expected that they would benefit immensely from this program. Asked what more the Government of Canada could do to support working mothers, participants recommended actions such as working to increase the number of sick days available to Canadian parents, providing increased benefits and supports to those with children with rare diseases and/or medical conditions, and increasing the income thresholds for these supports to make them more widely available to Canadian families.

Community Safety (Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies Filipino Diaspora)

Asked who was responsible for addressing criminal activity, a number believed that this was primarily the responsibility of municipal governments. A few also believed that the provincial/territorial governments had a role to play in ensuring that crime in their jurisdictions was being addressed. Several were of the opinion that all Canadians had a role to play in addressing crime, believing that it was the responsibility of everyone to uphold and follow the law and to educate younger Canadians about the importance of doing so. Asked what role the Government of Canada should have in addressing crime, participants identified areas such as its oversight of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as well as its ability to address financial and online crimes that occur across several jurisdictions. The view was expressed that the RCMP was especially important for providing law enforcement in smaller communities that did not have a local police force. Discussing recent actions by the Government of Canada related to addressing crime, a few recalled hearing about the announcement of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist (AML/AFT) Financing Regime Strategy 2023-2026. Several also were aware of recent actions by the federal government to reduce crimes involving firearms in Canada. A roughly equal number reported being in favour of further gun control initiatives from the federal government as those who were not.

Discussing what more should be done by the Government of Canada to reduce crime, several believed that greater resources needed to be allocated towards addressing what they viewed as the root causes of criminal behaviour, including issues related to mental health and addiction. It was thought that these issues had been impacting a larger proportion of Canadians as of late and that greater investments into the treatment of these challenges would likely prevent many individuals from resorting to criminal behaviour. The view was added that treatment options for mental health and addictions would need to be offered in a culturally sensitive manner, believing that in many cultures (including among Filipinos) mental health challenges were still deeply stigmatized. A few also recommended that actions should be taken by the federal government towards stricter bail reform and preventing dangerous individuals from being able to re-offend while released on bail.

Issues Affecting the 2SLGBTQI+ Community (Major Centres Atlantic Canada Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community)

One group, comprised of individuals identifying as members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, discussed a number of issues faced by 2SLGBTQI+ individuals as well as recent actions taken by the Government of Canada to address these challenges. While some thought that Canada was generally an inclusive place to live and that progress had been made in recent years towards protecting 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, a larger number were more uncertain as to how they felt. Though many were of the impression that Canada was more inclusive than many other jurisdictions throughout the world, it was also widely thought that 2SLGBTQI+ individuals continued to face discrimination in many parts of the country and that progress on these issues had been inconsistent over recent decades. Several identified what they perceived as an increase in overt hostility over the past two to three years towards 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and communities. While some felt that this perceived increase in discriminatory rhetoric and actions had occurred due to the greater visibility of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in recent years, others believed this had been a part of what they viewed as an increasing trend of animosity towards these communities throughout much of the world.

Asked what more should be done to promote the greater acceptance, support, and inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, a number emphasized the need for increased empathy and education among Canadians regarding the challenges these communities face. It was also believed that there needed to be a larger focus on providing proactive support for 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives and programming. Many felt that misinformation had contributed to perceived increased acts of hate towards the 2SLGBTQI+ community and believed that more comprehensive strategies needed to be put in place to address this issue. Several thought that there needed to be a specific focus on educating physicians regarding 2SLGBTQI+ issues as well as greater efforts to increase accessibility to gender-affirming care. A number also recommended the development of initiatives to increase understanding among Canadians regarding intersex individuals and the difficulties that they believed this community typically faces. The view was expressed that intersex individuals often face pressure to present themselves as either male or female and that for many this binary approach to gender did not match their unique lived experiences.

All felt that promoting and protecting 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms was an important priority for the Government of Canada to focus on. Asked whether they believed that the Government of Canada was generally on the right track on this front, most were uncertain or mixed in their views. While a large number believed that the Government of Canada was working to better the lives of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians, it was widely felt that there needed to be a more realistic and definitive action plan as to how this would be achieved. A number also believed that there needed to be more proactive actions taken by the federal government to foster a greater degree of inclusion for these communities into Canadian society as a whole. Among the smaller number who felt that the Government of Canada was on the right track, it was believed that increased funding and visibility for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, along with public support from the federal government towards 2SLGBTQI+ causes (such as Pride events) had gone a long way towards advancing the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians.

Discussing what they had seen, read, or heard regarding recent actions from the Government of Canada related to assisting 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians, an equal number were aware of its $75 million investment towards 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations that advocate for and serve 2SLGBTQI+ communities as those who were not. While all reacted positively to this initiative, a few expressed concerns regarding how much of this funding would be allocated to 2SLGBTQI+ led organizations relative to organizations which simply facilitate programming for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Only a small number were aware of the passing of Bill C-16, a law written to recognize gender expression and gender identity as a human right and protect gender-diverse individuals from discrimination and hateful propaganda. While some felt that this was an important symbolic gesture it was widely believed that gender-based discrimination continued to persist in many parts of Canada, even with this new legislation. A few indicated having heard of Bill C-4: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy). Though most felt that this was a positive step, several expressed the opinion that this action should have been taken decades ago. While a few were aware of Health Canada’s recent lifting of a ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM), some questioned whether it had truly been lifted or just altered and were of the impression that this ban was still in place in some respects.

Asked what more could be done by the federal government to support 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, a few believed that there needed to be an increased focus on creating official channels for these communities to discuss the issues they were facing with representatives at the federal level. Some also thought that there needed to be greater representation of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals at all levels of government, while others described the need for greater awareness and promotion of these communities outside of Pride Month. Actions such as increased education and training for those in the health care field regarding the unique challenges 2SLGTBQI+ communities face were also reiterated by participants, as well as the need for greater enforcement of equal treatment standards for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in the workplace.

Disability Benefits (Northern Quebec)

One group, comprised of participants residing in Northern Quebec, shared their perspectives regarding the challenges faced by Canadians living with disabilities, as well as the federal government’s role in supporting these individuals. A number reported having family members and/or friends who were currently living with a disability. Asked if they were aware of anything the Government of Canada had done as of late to support Canadians living with disabilities, very few were. The view was expressed that while there were likely some supports available, it was unlikely that these provided adequate assistance to address the high costs and significant challenges those living with disabilities experience.

Asked to identify the biggest challenges faced by those living with disabilities, several mentioned difficulties related to accessibility, with some emphasizing the struggles faced by these individuals when it came to accessing public locations and services as well as adapting their own homes to accommodate their needs. It was felt that this perceived lack of accessibility often served to marginalize those with disabilities, making it difficult for them to participate and be active in their communities and society at large. Discussing the role that the Government of Canada should be playing in addressing these challenges, several underscored the importance of raising awareness regarding those living with disabilities as well as ensuring greater representation of these individuals in all parts of society. Many were strongly supportive of the notion that the federal government should consider providing those with disabilities with a basic income that would cover their immediate needs such as food, housing, and other costs necessary to improve their quality of life. A large number also thought that the Government of Canada had a responsibility to ensure that those living with disabilities were able to find and retain work, believing this to be essential for their financial, physical, and mental well-being. It was felt that without assistance on this front, it could be very difficult for those with disabilities to access employment opportunities. A few recommended that the federal government should provide wage subsidies and tax benefits to employers which hire Canadians with disabilities.

To continue the discussion, participants were informed that according to the most recent Canadian Survey on Disability from 2017, nearly 23 per cent of working-age persons with a disability were living in poverty, compared to approximately 9 per cent for those without a disability. Most believed that this made sense, given their impression that many of those living with disabilities only had access to lower-paying jobs (if they were able to work at all) while also having increased expenses related to their conditions. Informed that the Government of Canada had passed legislation to create a new Canada Disability Benefit, which will provide a direct monthly payment to low-income Canadians with disabilities of working age, several reacted positively, believing this would be of great assistance to these individuals. A few expressed concerns that this initiative may be attempted to be utilized by those without disabilities and hoped that there would be a comprehensive application process in place to ensure that this did not occur. Asked whether this initiative was something that should be pursued by the Government of Canada, even if it raised taxes, all believed that it should. It was largely felt that there were other ways to reduce public spending and that this initiative was a worthwhile expense for the federal government to support.

Discussing who, within the broader disabled community, should be targeted by this initiative, participants believed it should be focused on those with physical and/or mental disabilities that prevented them from working and who would otherwise find it very difficult to earn an income. It was thought that this initiative would help many of those with disabilities rise out of poverty and actively participate in society. A number expected that this support would have a positive impact on helping those in their own lives who were currently living with disabilities. Asked whether they expected that this initiative would have a positive overall impact on the economy, several believed that it would. The view was added, however, that even if this program did not yield economic benefits, it was still important for the Government of Canada to pursue given the considerable physical and mental health benefits it would likely provide for those with disabilities.

Official Languages (Mid-Size and Major Centres Quebec Anglophones)

One group, comprised of Anglophones residing in Quebec, engaged in a discussion related to the challenges faced by English speakers in a predominantly French-speaking province. Asked whether they had personally encountered any challenges on this front, several recalled difficulties in finding employment and were of the impression that employers in their area generally favoured hiring applicants who could speak French fluently. A number also reported having faced difficulties in accessing English-language services in important areas such as health care, education, and the processing of important permits, like driver’s licences. Asked whether these challenges had impacted their sense of belonging or inclusion in their communities, several indicated that they had, with a few expressing the opinion that those in their area were generally less accepting of English speakers. Discussing whether their experiences as Anglophones in Quebec had changed over time, few felt this to be the case, with most expressing that the difficulties they had faced had persisted throughout the entirety of their time living in the province. A small number commented that even after attempting to learn French and become bilingual, they still felt excluded to some degree within their respective communities. No participants were optimistic that the experiences of Anglophones in Quebec would improve going forward and a number expected that they would eventually leave the province at some point in the future due to these concerns.

While most described their ability to speak French as being sufficient to maintain their employment and/or hold a conversation, very few indicated that they were fluent in the language. Several felt that more needed to be done to increase the number of resources and supports available to help non-French speakers in Quebec learn the French language and immerse themselves into the province’s culture. Related to the latter, a few commented that even after learning French it had been difficult for them to communicate due to a lack of understanding of commonly used slang and phrases and felt that more could be done to educate newcomers to Quebec on these fronts. Asked what rights official language minority communities (i.e., French-speaking communities outside of Quebec and English-speaking communities inside Quebec) should have, it was believed that at the minimum there needed to be a guarantee that all public services would be made available in both official languages. Several also thought that more needed to be done to place a greater focus on bilingual education throughout Canada, both at the primary/secondary levels as well as at post-secondary institutions. It was felt that encouraging younger Canadians to learn both official languages as a part of their formal education would lead to greater professional and personal opportunities for these individuals in the future as well as contribute to the greater acceptance of both languages across all parts of the country.

Asked whether they felt that the federal government had a role to play in ensuring the equal status of English speakers in Quebec, many believed that it did, and all felt that this needed to be a major priority going forward. Most felt that the Government of Canada was currently on the wrong track when it came to this issue, and a number were of the impression that while much had been done in recent years to better support Francophones living outside of Quebec, far less attention had been paid to assisting Anglophones in the province. Discussing potential actions that could be taken by the federal government to support English-speaking communities in Quebec, it was believed that a greater emphasis needed to be placed on fostering bilingualism and finding ways to bring English and French speakers together. While most felt it was important to continue to protect and promote what they viewed as Quebec’s unique culture and history, they did not believe that this was connected to the predominance of French in the province. Related to this, it was widely expected that increasing bilingualism throughout Quebec would serve to unite (rather than divide) French and English speakers within the province, allowing them to find common ground with one another and build stronger communities going forward.

Community Challenges (Northern Quebec, Rural Nova Scotia, Rural Quebec)

Discussing the most important industries and sectors to their respective communities and regions, participants in all groups identified areas such as mining, forestry, and health care as being key to the economic well-being of their communities. In addition to these sectors, a number in both groups based in Quebec identified tourism as important to their local economy, while fisheries were viewed as a top sector by those residing in Nova Scotia. Some based in Nova Scotia also mentioned the Michelin tire plant in Pictou County as a key employer and economic driver for their communities. Participants residing in rural Quebec viewed agriculture as an important contributor to their local economy. Identifying the sectors in their region that they felt needed the most help from the federal government, several mentioned health care. It was believed that many (and especially those living in rural communities) were currently facing difficulties in receiving timely care, accessing specialists for important procedures and appointments, and finding a family doctor. A few in Nova Scotia were of the impression that actions had been taken by the Government of Canada to incentivize a greater number of doctors and nurses to come practice in Atlantic Canada. A number also mentioned agriculture, believing that this sector had faced challenges in recent years due to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events and was critical to ensuring their region would continue to have a stable food supply. It was thought that greater incentives should be provided by the federal government to encourage younger Canadians to enter the agriculture sector, with some worrying that there would soon be a labour shortage in this area as older farmers began to retire. A few also identified areas such as trucking and transportation, child care, and small businesses as sectors requiring increased support from the Government of Canada.

Those residing in Rural Quebec were asked a few additional questions related to employment in their region. Asked whether there were currently labour shortages in their local communities, several indicated that there were. Participants identified sectors such as health care, education, agriculture, and transportation as areas in which they believed employers were currently finding it difficult to find skilled workers. Discussing what they felt was causing these perceived shortages, a number believed it was due to increasing retirement among older Canadians with not enough new workers to replace them. A few also believed that a lack of affordable housing in their communities had discouraged new workers from moving to the area. Several believed that actions should be taken by the Government of Canada to recruit workers in these sectors from outside of Canada to come and work in their communities. Related to this, it was felt that more needed to be done to expedite the foreign credential recognition process and make it easier for those educated outside of Canada to work in the country.

Appendix A – Recruiting Scripts

English Recruiting Script s

July English Recruiting Script

Privy Council Office

Recruiting Script – July 2023

English Groups

Recruitment Specifications Summary

Groups conducted online.
Each group is expected to last for two hours.
Recruit 8 participants.
Incentives will be $125 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	Thu, July 6^th	6:00-8:00	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	Greater Toronto Area	General Population	MP
2	Tue, July 11^th	5:00-7:00	6:00-8:00 (ADT) 6:30-8:30 (NDT)	Major Centres Atlantic Canada	2SLGBTQI+	DN
4	Tue, July 18^th	8:00-10:00	6:00-8:00 (MDT)	Northern Alberta	General Population	TBW
5	Tue, July 25^th	6:00-8:00	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec	Anglophones in QC	DN
6	Thu, July 27^th	9:00-11:00	6:00-8:00 (PDT)	Interior B.C.	First-time home buyers	TBW

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?

Yes CONTINUE

No THANK AND END

SCREENING QUESTIONS

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

A market research firm THANK AND END

A marketing, branding, or advertising agency THANK AND END

A magazine or newspaper THANK AND END

A federal/provincial/territorial government department or agency THANK AND END

A political party THANK AND END

In public/media relations THANK AND END

In radio/television THANK AND END

No, none of the above CONTINUE

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

Yes THANK AND END

No CONTINUE

2. In which city do you reside?

LOCATION	CITIES
Greater Toronto Area	Cities include: City of Toronto, Durham (Ajax, Clarington, Brock, Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby), Halton (Burlington, Halton Hills, Oakville, Milton), Peel (Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga), York (Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, King). ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION .NO MORE THAN 2 FROM THE CITY OF TORONTO OR PER REGION/COUNTY.	CONTINUE – GROUP 1
Major Centres Atlantic Canada	Cities could include (but are not limited to): Nova Scotia: Halifax New Brunswick: Greater Moncton Area, Greater Saint John Area Newfoundland & Labrador: St. John’s ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS PROVINCES. NO MORE THAN 3 FROM EACH PROVINCE.	CONTINUE – GROUP 2
Northern Alberta	Cities could include (but are not limited to): Fort McMurray, Grand Prairie, Peace River, Slave Lake, Cold Lake, Whitecourt, Athabasca, Grimshaw, Fairview, Rainbow Lake, Wembley. NO MORE THAN 2 PER CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE – GROUP 4
Mid-size and Major Centres Quebec	Cities could include: Major Centres = Population of 100 000+ Pour les grandes villes : Montréal, Gatineau, Québec City, Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Saint-Jérôme, Chicoutimi – Jonquière. Mid-size = Population of 50 000-100 000 Pour les villes de taille moyenne : Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Chateauguay, Drummondville, Granby, Saint-Hyacinthe. NO MORE THAN 2 PER CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE – GROUP 5
Interior B.C.	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 2 PER CITY. INCLUDE THOSE RESIDING IN LARGER AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES.	CONTINUE – GROUP 6
VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer		THANK AND END

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	CONTINUE
25-29	CONTINUE
30-34	CONTINUE
35-45	CONTINUE
46-49	CONTINUE
50-54	CONTINUE
55+	CONTINUE
VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer	THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

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

Male	CONTINUE
Female	CONTINUE

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

5. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 2 Do you identify as any of the following? [INTERVIEWER TO READ ALL AND ACCEPT MULTIPLE RESPONSES]

Lesbian

Gay

Heterosexual

Man

Woman

Queer

Transgender

Bisexual

Two-spirit

Non-binary

Questioning

Genderqueer

Intersex

Other (Please specify): ______________

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

IF RESPONDENT SELECTS ‘HETEROSEXUAL’ OR ONLY SELECTS EITHER ‘MAN’ OR ‘WOMAN’, THANK AND END. ENSURE A GOOD MIX. LIMIT THE NUMBER OF ‘OTHER, PLEASE SPECIFY’

6. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 5 What language did you first learn as a child and still speak proficiently today?

English CONTINUE to Q6a

French THANK AND END

Other THANK AND END

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

6a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 5 Do you regularly speak English at home?

Yes CONTINUE

No THANK AND END

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

7. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 6 Do you currently or have you previously owned a home?

Yes THANK AND END

No CONTINUE TO Q7a

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

7a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 6 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 GROUPS TO THOSE WHO SAY ‘YES.’ NO MORE THAN 2 WHO SAY ‘NOT SURE/MAYBE.’

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

Yes CONTINUE
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.”

9. 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’?

1-2 THANK AND END

3-5 CONTINUE

10. 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

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

Yes CONTINUE
No CONTINUE

11a. 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?

1-2 THANK AND END

3-5 CONTINUE

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.

MENTION ONLY TO GROUP 1, GROUP 2, GROUP 4 In the course of the two-hour discussion a wide variety of issues will be discussed, including some topics which you may feel are sensitive in nature. The moderator will alert you in advance and all participants are free to opt out of the conversation at any point.

12. 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.13

12a. How long ago was the last focus group you attended?

Less than 6 months ago THANK AND END

More than 6 months ago CONTINUE

12b. How many focus group discussions have you attended in the past 5 years?

0-4 groups CONTINUE

5 or more groups THANK AND END

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.

13. 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.

14. Which of the following categories best describes your total household income in 2022? That is, the total income of all persons in your household combined, before taxes?

Under $20,000

$20,000 to just under $40,000

$40,000 to just under $60,000

$60,000 to just under $80,000

$80,000 to just under $100,000

$100,000 to just under $150,000

$150,000 and above

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

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

Accommodation and Food Services
Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

Automotive
Construction
Educational Services
Finance & Insurance
Health Care

Social Assistance
Information and Cultural Industries
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Manufacturing
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
Public Administration
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Utilities
Wholesale Trade

Unemployed

Full Time Student

Retired

Other, please specify: _____________

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT IF APPLICABLE. NO MORE THAN TWO PER SECTOR. NO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.

16. 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.

17. 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

No THANK 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 $125 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?

Yes CONTINUE

No THANK 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 [INSERT RECRUITER] 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: __________________

August English Recruiting Script

Privy Council Office

Recruiting Script – August 2023

English Groups

Recruitment Specifications Summary

Groups conducted online.
Each group is expected to last for two hours.
Recruit 8 participants.
Incentives will be $125 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	Tue, August 8^th	5:00-7:00	6:00-8:00 (ADT)	Rural Nova Scotia	General population	DN
2	Wed, August 9^th	9:00-11:00	6:00-8:00 (PDT)	Vancouver	Renters and/or those looking to rent	TBW
3	Tue, August 15^th	6:00-8:00	6:00-8:00 (EDT)	Mid Size Centres Ontario	General population	DN
5	Tue, August 22^nd	8:00-10:00	6:00-8:00 (CDT) 7:00-9:00 (CST)	Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies (MB and SK)	Filipino diaspora	TBW

Recruiting Script

INTRODUCTION

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.

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?

Yes CONTINUE

No THANK AND END

SCREENING QUESTIONS

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

A market research firm THANK AND END

A marketing, branding, or advertising agency THANK AND END

A magazine or newspaper THANK AND END

A federal/provincial/territorial government department or agency THANK AND END

A political party THANK AND END

In public/media relations THANK AND END

In radio/television THANK AND END

No, none of the above CONTINUE

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

Yes THANK AND END

No CONTINUE

2. In which city do you reside?

LOCATION	CITIES
Rural Nova Scotia	Population = <15,000 Cities include (but are not limited to): Kentville, Sydney Mines, Amherst, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Kingston-Greenwood, New Waterford, Antigonish, Windsor, Wolfville. MAX 2 PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION.	CONTINUE – GROUP 1
Vancouver	Vancouver	CONTINUE – GROUP 2
Mid-Size Centres Ontario	Population: 30,000 – 99,999 Cities include (but are not limited to): Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Peterborough, Belleville, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay. MAX 2 PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX ACROSS THE REGION.	CONTINUE – GROUP 3
Mid-Size and Major Centres Prairies (MB and SK)	Cities include: Mid-Size Centre population: 30,000 – 99,999 Manitoba: Brandon. Saskatchewan: Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Lloydminster. Major Centre population: 100,000+ Manitoba: Winnipeg Saskatchewan: Saskatoon, Regina ENSURE 4 PARTICIPANTS FROM EACH PROVINCE. NO MORE THAN TWO FROM EACH CITY. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF CITIES ACROSS THE REGION.	CONTINUE – GROUP 5
VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer		THANK AND END

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	CONTINUE
25-29	CONTINUE
30-34	CONTINUE
35-45	CONTINUE
46-49	CONTINUE
50-54	CONTINUE
55+	CONTINUE
VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer	THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

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

Male	CONTINUE
Female	CONTINUE

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

5. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 2 Do you own or rent your current residence? IF ASKED/CLARIFICATION REQUIRED: You are considered a homeowner even if you have outstanding debt that you owe on your mortgage loan.

Own THANK AND END

Rent CONTINUE Q5c

VOLUNTEERED Living at home CONTINUE Q5a

VOLUNTEERED Other CONTINUE Q5a

VOLUNTEERED Don’t know/not sure CONTINUE Q5a

5a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 2 Are you in the process of looking for a primary place of residence to rent for yourself?

Yes CONTINUE Q5b

No THANK AND END

5b. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 2 What is your timeline for renting?

Looking to rent as soon as possible CONTINUE Q5c

Within the next 2-6 months CONTINUE Q5c

Looking to rent in more than 6 months THANK AND END

5c. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 2 What kind of residence are you renting or looking to rent?

Condo CONTINUE – GROUP 2

Apartment CONTINUE – GROUP 2

Single family home CONTINUE – GROUP 2

Townhome CONTINUE – GROUP 2

Other, please specify: ________ CONTINUE – GROUP 2

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

6. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 5 Do you identify your primary cultural and/or ethnic heritage to be Filipino?

Yes CONTINUE TO Q.7

No THANK AND END

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

7. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 5 Were you born in Canada?

Yes CONTINUE TO Q.8 – GROUP 5

No CONTINUE TO Q.7a

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

7a. ASK ONLY IF GROUP 5 How many years have you lived in Canada?

Less than 5 years	CONTINUE – GROUP 5
5 to <10 years
10 to <20 years
20 to <30 years
30 or more years
Don’t know/Prefer not to answer	THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BETWEEN THOSE WHO WERE NOT BORN IN CANADA AND THOSE BORN IN CANADA. ENSURE A GOOD MIX OF TIME LIVED IN CANADA FOR THOSE NOT BORN IN CANADA.

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

1-2 THANK AND END

3-6 CONTINUE

Participant has high-speed access to the Internet

Participant has a computer/webcam

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

Yes CONTINUE
No CONTINUE

11a. 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?

1-2 THANK AND END

3-5 CONTINUE

12. 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.13

12a. How long ago was the last focus group you attended?

Less than 6 months ago THANK AND END

More than 6 months ago CONTINUE

12b. How many focus group discussions have you attended in the past 5 years?

0-4 groups CONTINUE

5 or more groups THANK AND END

12c. 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.

13. 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.

14. Which of the following categories best describes your total household income in 2022? That is, the total income of all persons in your household combined, before taxes?

Under $20,000

$20,000 to just under $40,000

$40,000 to just under $60,000

$60,000 to just under $80,000

$80,000 to just under $100,000

$100,000 to just under $150,000

$150,000 and above

VOLUNTEERED Prefer not to answer THANK AND END

ENSURE A GOOD MIX.

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

Accommodation and Food Services
Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

Automotive
Construction
Educational Services
Finance & Insurance
Health Care

Unemployed

Full Time Student

Retired

Other, please specify: _____________

ENSURE A GOOD MIX BY TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT IF APPLICABLE. NO MORE THAN TWO PER SECTOR. NO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.

16. ASK ALL GROUPS EXCEPT GROUP 5 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.

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

No THANK AND END

INVITATION

Would you be willing to attend?

Yes CONTINUE

No THANK 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:

Thank you very much for your time.

RECRUITED BY: ____________________

DATE RECRUITED: __________________

French Recruiting Script

July French Recruiting Script

Bureau du Conseil privé

Questionnaire de recrutement – juillet 2023

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

13 juillet

6:00-8:00

6:00-8:00 (HAE)

Territoire nordique québécois

Population générale

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?

Oui CONTINUER

Non REMERCIER 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?

Oui REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Non CONTINUER

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

Territoire nordique québécois

Les villes du territoire nordique québécois (régions administrative Nord-du-Québec, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, et Côte-Nord) peuvent notamment comprendre (mais ne sont pas limitées à):

Nord-du-Québec : Chibougamau, Matagami, Baie-d'Hudson, Chisasibi, Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Baie-James, Inukjuak, Mistissini.

Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean : Saguenay, Albanel, Saint-Félicien, Dolbeau-Mistassini, Alma, Bégin, Chambord, Girardville, Hébertville, l'Anse-Saint-Jean, Lamarche, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Roberval.

Côte-Nord : Baie-Comeau, Port-Cartier, Sept-Îles, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Blanc-Sablon, Pakuashipi, La Romaine, Mingan.

ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES VILLES DE LA RÉGION. RECRUTER DES RÉSIDENTS DE GRANDES ET DE PETITES COLLECTIVITÉS.

CONTINUER – GROUPE 3

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE
Préfère ne pas répondre

REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

4. 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

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

Homme

Femme

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

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

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 19 ans	CONTINUER
20 à 35 ans	CONTINUER
36 à 44 ans	CONTINUER
45 à 54 ans	CONTINUER
55 à 64 ans	CONTINUER
65 ans ou plus	CONTINUER
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

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

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

Oui CONTINUER
Non EXPLIQUER 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 ».

8. 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 »?

1-2 REMERCIER ET CONCLURE
3-5 CONTINUER

9. 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

10. 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?

Oui CONTINUER
Non CONTINUER

11. 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?

1-2 REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

3-5 CONTINUER

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.

12. 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.13

12a. 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

12b. 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

12c. 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.

13. Laquelle des catégories suivantes décrit le mieux le revenu annuel total de votre ménage en 2022 – c’est-à-dire le revenu cumulatif de l’ensemble des membres de votre ménage avant impôt?

Moins de 20 000 $	CONTINUER
20 000 $ à moins de 40 000 $	CONTINUER
40 000 $ à moins de 60 000 $	CONTINUER
60 000 $ à moins de 80 000 $	CONTINUER
80 000 $ à moins de 100 000 $	CONTINUER
100 000 $ à moins de 150 000 $	CONTINUER
150 000 $ ou plus	CONTINUER
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE : Préfère ne pas répondre	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

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

14. 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

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.

15. DEMANDER À TOUS LES GROUPES 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.

16. 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.

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 CONCLUREE

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?

Oui CONTINUER

Non REMERCIER 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 [INSÉRER LE NOM DU RECRUITEUR] 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 : __________________

August French Recruiting Script

Bureau du Conseil privé

Questionnaire de recrutement – août 2023

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

17 août

6:00-8:00

6:00-8:00 (HAE)

Montérégie

Mères qui travaillent, âgées de 25 à 50 ans

23 août

6:00-8:00

6:00-8:00 (HAE)

Centres de petite taille au Quebec

Population générale

Questionnaire de recrutement

INTRODUCTION

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.

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?

Oui CONTINUER

Non REMERCIER 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?

Oui REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Non CONTINUER

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
Montérégie	Ces villes peuvent notamment comprendre (mais ne sont pas limité à): Boucherville, Brossard, Châteauguay, Longueuil, Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and Vaudreuil-Dorion. PAS PLUS QUE DEUX PARTICIPANT PAR VILLE. ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE.	CONTINUER – GROUPE 4
Centres de petite taille	Petites villes = Population <49 999 Pour les petites villes : Dollars-des Ormeaux, Saint-Eustache, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Sallaberry-de-Valleyfield, Rouyn-Noranda, Boucherville, l'Assomption. PAS PLUS QUE DEUX PARTICIPANT PAR VILLE. ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE.	CONTINUER – GROUPE 6
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre		REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

4. 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

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

Homme

Femme

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

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

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 19 ans	SI GROUPE 4 = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE L’AUTRE GROUPE = CONTINUER
20 à 24 ans	SI GROUPE 4 = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE L’AUTRE GROUPE = CONTINUER
25 à 35 ans	CONTINUER
36 à 44 ans	CONTINUER
45 à 54 ans	CONTINUER
55 à 64 ans	SI GROUPE 4 = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE L’AUTRE GROUPE = CONTINUER
65 ans ou plus	SI GROUPE 4 = REMERCIER ET CONCLURE L’AUTRE GROUPE = CONTINUER
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

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

7. DEMANDER SEULEMENT POUR LE GROUPE 4 Êtes-vous mère d'enfants dépendants de moins de 18 ans?

Oui CONTINUER À LA Q.7a

Non REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

7a. DEMANDER SEULEMENT POUR LE GROUPE 4 Combien d'enfants avez-vous?

1 CONTINUER À LA Q.7b

2 CONTINUER À LA Q.7b

3 ou plus CONTINUER À LA Q.7b

RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE Préfère ne pas répondre REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

ASSURER UNE BONNE REPRÉSENTATION DES ÂGES DES ENFANTS.

7b. DEMANDER SEULEMENT POUR LE GROUPE 4 Dans quelle tranche d’âge se situe votre ou vos enfant(s)?

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-17

ASSURER UN BON MÉLANGE EN MATIÈRE DES ÂGES DES ENFANTS.

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

Administrations publiques

Agriculture, foresterie, pêche et chasse

Arts, spectacle et loisirs

Autres services, sauf les administrations publiques

Commerce de détail

Commerce de gros

Construction

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

Fabrication

Finance et assurances

Gestion de sociétés et d’entreprises

Hébergement et services de restauration

Industrie de l'information et industrie culturelle

Services administratifs, services de soutien, services de gestion des déchets et services d’assainissement

Services d’enseignement

Services immobiliers et services de location et de location à bail

Services professionnels, scientifiques et techniques

Services publics

Soins de santé et assistance sociale

Transport et entreposage

Sans emploi REMERCIER ET CONCLURE GROUPE 4

Aux études à temps plein REMERCIER ET CONCLURE GROUPE 4

À la retraite REMERCIER ET CONCLURE GROUPE 4

Autre situation ou autre secteur; veuillez préciser : ______________

8a. DEMANDER SEULEMENT POUR LE GROUPE 4 Travaillez-vous à temps plein ou à temps partiel ?

Temps plein CONTINUER GROUPE 4

Temps partiel CONTINUER GROUPE 4

PAS PLUS QUE DEUX RÉPONDANTS QUI TRAVAILLENT À TEMPS PARTIEL.

TEMPS PLEIN = 35 HEURES OU PLUS PAR SEMAINE

TEMPS PARTIEL = MOINS DE 35 HEURES

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

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

1-2 REMERCIER ET CONCLURE
3-5 CONTINUER

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

Le participant a accès à Internet haut débit

Le participant a un ordinateur avec caméra Web

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

Oui CONTINUER
Non CONTINUER

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

1-2 REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

3-5 CONTINUER

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.15

14a. 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

14b. À combien de groupes de discussion avez-vous participé au cours des cinq dernières années?

0 à 4 groupes CONTINUER

4 groupes ou plus REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

14c. 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.

15. Laquelle des catégories suivantes décrit le mieux le revenu annuel total de votre ménage en 2022 – c’est-à-dire le revenu cumulatif de l’ensemble des membres de votre ménage avant impôt?

Moins de 20 000 $	CONTINUER
20 000 $ à moins de 40 000 $	CONTINUER
40 000 $ à moins de 60 000 $	CONTINUER
60 000 $ à moins de 80 000 $	CONTINUER
80 000 $ à moins de 100 000 $	CONTINUER
100 000 $ à moins de 150 000 $	CONTINUER
150 000 $ ou plus	CONTINUER
RÉPONSE SPONTANÉE : Préfère ne pas répondre	REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

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

16. DEMANDER À TOUS LES GROUPES 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.

17. 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.

18. 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 CONCLUREE

INVITATION

Est-ce que vous accepteriez de participer?

Oui CONTINUER

Non REMERCIER ET CONCLURE

Nom :

Numéro de téléphone :

Adresse courriel :

Vous recevrez un courrier électronique du [INSÉRER LE NOM DU RECRUITEUR] 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.

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

MASTER MODERATOR’S GUIDE

JULY & AUGUST 2023

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 Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+, Northern Alberta Moderator to also note that the topic of suicide will be a topic of discussion in the latter part of the agenda. Remind participants that their participation is voluntary, and they should feel free to step back from the conversation if they feel uncomfortable. Moderator will remind participants again when we reach that point in the discussion.

PERFORMANCE AND PRIORITIES – LOCAL ISSUES/INDUSTRIES (25 minutes) Northern Quebec Territory

· What does the Government of Canada do well? [Why?]

· What does the Government of Canada need to improve on?

· In your opinion, what are the top issues that the Government of Canada should be prioritizing?

o What are the top issues in your community specifically that the federal government should be prioritizing?

o Has the Government of Canada done anything to address these issues?

· What are the most important sectors and industries for your community?

o Which sectors and industries in your community do you feel need the most help?

o Has the Government of Canada done anything to support these sectors and industries?

· When it comes to engaging with people in Northern Quebec, like listening and responding to their issues, would you say the Government of Canada is generally on the right or wrong track?

o In your opinion, are there better ways for the federal government to engage with people in Northern Quebec? If yes, what are they?

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA IN THE NEWS (5-20 minutes) Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+, Northern Quebec Territory, Northern Alberta, Quebec Anglophones, Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Rural Nova Scotia, Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario, Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora, Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54, Small Centres Québec

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

o Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+, Northern Quebec Territory, Northern Alberta, Quebec Anglophones, Rural Nova Scotia, Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario, Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora What are your reactions to this news?

o Rural Nova Scotia, Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54 Where did you [hear, read or see] this [news/information]?

o Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora What are your primary sources for news? (TV news, radio, social media, friends/family)

o Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora Do you mostly get news from English language sources or in another language?

§ Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora IF ANOTHER LANGUAGE: Which language(s)?

§ Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora How often do you turn to sources in other languages?

o Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora Do you mostly get news from Canadian media or media from another country?

§ Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora IF ANOTHER COUNTRY: Which country(ies)?

· Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora) If you were looking for federal government news, where would you go to first? Why?

COMMUNITY CHALLENGES (20 minutes) Rural Nova Scotia, Small Centres Québec

Now I’d like to focus on your local community…

· What important issues facing your community do you think the Government of Canada should focus on?

· What are the most important sectors and industries for your local community?

· Which sectors and industries in your region do you feel need the most help?

o NOTE TO MODERATOR, FOR TWO OR THREE MAJOR SECTORS NAMED ASK:

§ As far as you know, has the Government of Canada done anything to support these sectors?

§ What else can the federal government do to support these sectors?

· Rural Nova Scotia Which sectors and industries would you like to see the Government of Canada prioritize?

· Small Centres Québec Are labour shortages an issue in your community?

o IF YES: are labour shortages affecting certain sectors in particular?

§ IF YES: Which ones?

§ What’s behind these labour shortages?

§ What are some potential solutions to labour shortages?

PUBLIC [MOOD/SENTIMENT] (10 minutes) Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora, Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54

Now, [let's explore\I’d like to turn to] a broader topic...

· Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora When thinking about your future living in Canada, what makes you feel optimistic?

· Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora On the other hand, are there any things that make you feel worried or concerned about your future in Canada?

o IF YES: What are they?

· Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54 As a parent, what if anything, makes you feel optimistic about your children’s future in Canada?

· Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54 And are there any things that make you [feel worried or concerned] about your children’s future in Canada?

o IF YES: What are they?

PERFORMANCE AND PRIORITIES (10 - 40 minutes) Northern Alberta, Quebec Anglophones, Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Rural Nova Scotia, Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario, Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora, Working Mothers Aged 25-54 in Montérégie, Small Centres Québec

Rural Nova Scotia, Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Now, [moving away from community issues/I’d like to turn to identifying and discussing some issues, and] thinking more broadly about the Government of Canada…

· [In your opinion, what would you say the Government of Canada is currently doing well/what does the Government of Canada do well]?

o Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54 Thinking back to the past few years, what are some things the Government of Canada has done well?

· [What does/what areas do you think] the Government of Canada need to improve on? [Why/do you say that?]

· Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54 Has your opinion of the Government of Canada gotten better or worse over time? Why?

· Northern Alberta Has your opinion of the Government of Canada changed over the past year?

· Northern Alberta, Rural Nova Scotia, Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora, Small Centres Québec In your opinion, what are the top issues that the Government of Canada should be prioritizing? [Why/is this an important issue to prioritize?]

o Northern Alberta IF NOT MENTIONED: What about climate change?

· Northern Alberta How concerned are you, if at all, by climate change? Why do you say that?

· Northern Alberta

o Northern Alberta Does climate change have any impact on things like wildlife, extreme-weather, extreme temperatures, floods, droughts, or wildfires?

§ Northern Alberta IF YES: What impacts does it have?

§ Northern Alberta IF NO: Why do you feel this way?

§ Northern Alberta IF NOT MENTIONED: Do you think there is a connection between climate change and the frequency and severity of wildfires in Canada?

· Northern Alberta IF YES: How so?

· Northern Alberta IF NO: Why do you say that?

· Northern Alberta How concerned are you about the potential impacts of climate change on your community?

· Northern Alberta Have you seen any impacts of climate change in your community?

o Northern Alberta IF YES: What have you seen?

· Northern Alberta How prepared, if at all, is your community to handle these potential impacts of climate change?

· Northern Alberta In the past 12 months, have you or a family member taken any measures to prepare your household for any potential impacts of climate change?

· Northern Alberta Over the next few decades, do you expect your community to be more at risk due to climate change?

Northern Alberta Now I’d like to turn specifically to wildfires…

· Northern Alberta What have you seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada when it comes to responding to the wildfires in Alberta?

o Northern Alberta How would you describe the Government of Canada’s response to the wildfires? Would you say their response has been on the right track or the wrong track?

§ Northern Alberta Why do you say that?

Northern Alberta SHOW ON SCREEN:

Northern Alberta The government has taken several actions to help those affected by wildfires:

· Northern Alberta Working with provinces and non-profits to match donations, raising $20 million in support for community groups in Alberta.

· Northern Alberta Giving financial aid to affected provinces to help with response costs and covering up to 90% of their eligible recovery costs.

· Northern Alberta Deploying the Canadian Armed Forces to help with firefighting, planning, coordination, and other response tasks.

· Northern Alberta Using national emergency stockpiles of medical supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals to help affected provinces.

· Northern Alberta Helping those impacted by wildfires access benefits like Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, and the Canada Pension Plan.

· Northern Alberta Implementing a two-year Training Pilot program to train more firefighters.

· Northern Alberta What are your initial thoughts about these actions? Were you aware of any of these actions?

o Northern Alberta Would you say this response is on the right track or the wrong track? Why do you say that?

o Northern Alberta In your view, is the Government of Canada doing enough to help communities impacted by wildfires? Why do you say that?

o Northern Alberta What more should the federal government be doing to address wildfires?

· Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54 In your opinion, what are the top issues impacting parents that the Government of Canada should be prioritizing?

Montérégie Québec Working Mothers Aged 25-54 Thinking about these priorities, is the federal government generally on the right track or wrong track? Why do you say that?

o IF WRONG TRACK: What could the federal government do to get on the right track?

· Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora IF NOT MENTIONED: What about healthcare?

o How would you describe the healthcare system in your area?

o What are the most pressing challenges related to healthcare in your community?

· Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora In your opinion, what are the top issues impacting Filipinos that the Government of Canada should be prioritizing?

· Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora When it comes to these issues, would you say that the Government of Canada is generally on the right track or wrong track? Why?

o IF WRONG TRACK: What does the Government of Canada need to do to get on the right track?

· Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora, Small Centres Québec IF NOT MENTIONED: What about when it comes to immigration?

o Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora Would you say the Government of Canada is generally on the right track or wrong track when it comes to managing the immigration system? Why?

o Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora What are the biggest immigration issues the Government of Canada should be prioritizing?

§ IF NOT [MENTIONED/RAISED]: What about processing times? What about recognizing foreign credentials?

Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora CLARIFY AS NEEDED:

Recognizing foreign credentials is when the federal, provincial, or territorial government determines that a license or certificate earned outside of Canada meets the standards in Canada, so that an individual can work in a specialized job. Examples of specialized jobs could be working as a doctor, accountant, or an electrician.

o Is it important to prioritize this issue? Why/ why not?

§ Is anyone here personally impacted or have family members impacted?

§ In your opinion, what, if anything, has the Government of Canada done to address this issue?

§ What should the Government of Canada do on this issue?

· Thinking more generally, do you feel the federal government pays enough attention to the Filipino community? Why/ why not?

o In your opinion, does the Government of Canada understand the issues you care most about? Why do you say that?

o How should the federal government engage with the Filipino community to better understand the important issues?

· What more should the Government of Canada do to support the Filipino community?

· Small Centres Québec What, if anything, have you seen, read, or heard about asylum seekers entering Quebec at Roxham Road?

· Small Centres Québec Has anyone heard of the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement?

o IF YES: How would you explain it?

SHOW ON SCREEN:

In March, Canada and the United States announced the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement across the entire land border, including internal waterways. This means that anyone crossing the border via Roxham Rd to make an asylum claim and don’t meet one of the Agreement’s exceptions, will be returned to the U.S.

· Small Centres Québec What are your reactions to this?

Cost of Living Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers

· What does the Government of Canada do well?

· What does the Government of Canada need to improve on?

· In your opinion, what are the top issues that the Government of Canada should be prioritizing?

· IF NOT MENTIONED ALREADY: What about the cost of living?

o Has the rising cost of living affected your behaviour? Your spending habits? How so?

§ What do you think is behind the rising costs of living?

· What work, if any, has the Government of Canada done to address the cost of living?

How do you expect the cost of living to change a year from now? Do you think things will be better, worse, or stay the same as they are now? Why?

NEWS [MEDIA] (30 minutes) Greater Toronto Area, Northern Quebec Territory, Northern Alberta, Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario

Now I’d like to focus on news [media] more broadly, not just news related to the Government of Canada …

· How much time do you typically spend reading, watching, or listening to the news?

· What are your primary sources for news? PROMPT FOR: TV news, radio, social media, search engines, friends/family?

o Are there any sources that are more or less reliable for news? If yes, which ones?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: How many of you use social media to get news? How many of you turn to search engines to get news?

§ Are some platforms more credible or trustworthy than others when it comes to news? Why? Which do you find more/less credible?

· Greater Toronto Area As far as you know, has the number of news outlets in Canada been going up, down, or remained the same over the past several years?

· Northern Quebec Territory, Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What are your impressions of how the news media industry has changed over the last decade?

o Northern Quebec Territory, Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Do Canadians have more, fewer, or about the same number of ways to access news?

o Northern Quebec Territory, Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Would you say there is a wide variety of news coverage about events in your local community?

o Northern Quebec Territory, Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Would you say there are more, fewer, or about the same number of news outlets today as there were a decade ago? CLARIFY AS NEEDED: News media outlets include publications or broadcast programs that provide news via different channels.

o Northern Quebec Territory, Quebec Anglophones, Mid-Size Centres Ontario As far as you know, are there more jobs, fewer jobs, or about the same number of jobs in journalism today than 10 years ago?

CLARIFY: [Between 2008 and 2020, overall revenue for broadcast television, radio, newspapers and magazines fell by nearly $6 billion.] Since 2008, 474 news media outlets have closed in 335 communities across Canada. [At least one third of Canadian journalism jobs disappeared between 2010 and 2016.]

· As far as you know, [why has this been happening/what is behind these trends in the news media industry]?

· To what extent, if at all, is this concerning to you? Why do you feel this way?

o What impacts could a decreasing number of news outlets have in Canada? Would it affect you personally?

§ IF NOT MENTIONED: What about [official/in rural, remote, Indigenous, or] [language minority/minority language] communities [– i.e. francophones outside of Quebec and Quebec Anglophones]?

o What, if anything, should be done to deal with this issue?

· How big of a priority, if at all, should it be for the Government of Canada to support the news media industry? What role should they play?

o IF NOT MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY: Have you seen, read, or heard anything lately about the Government of Canada, news outlets, and large digital platforms?

§ Mid-Size Centres Ontario IF AWARE: What are your reactions to what you heard?

CLARIFY: Recently, the Government of Canada passed a law requiring some large digital platforms to pay news outlets for news stories on these companies’ platforms. [The Government of Canada says that since digital platforms benefit from sharing news content on their platforms, both directly (advertising near news) and indirectly (user engagement, data refinement, subsequent targeted advertising), it’s important that these big tech companies compensate media fairly.]

· Whether you were aware of this or not before today, what are your reactions?

o On balance, would you say you tend to support or tend to oppose this law?

o What impacts could this law have?

o Do you think it would help [reduce the decline of media outlets across the country/address the issues in the news media industry that we have been discussing]? Why/why not?

· Do you have any questions or concerns about this law?

PERFORMANCE AND PRIORITIES – COST OF LIVING (20 minutes) Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+

· What does the Government of Canada do well?

· What does the Government of Canada need to improve on?

· In your opinion, what are the top issues that the Government of Canada should be prioritizing?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: What about the cost of living?

§ Has the rising cost of living affected your behaviour? Your spending habits? How so?

§ What do you think is behind the rising cost of living?

· What work, if any, has the Government of Canada done to address the cost of living?

· How do you expect the cost of living to change a year from now?

o PROMPT: Do you think things will be better, worse, or stay the same as they are now? Why?

2SLGBTQI+ (40 minutes) Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+

· From your perspective, is Canada an open and inclusive place to live? Why/why not?

· Generally, is Canadian society an inclusive place for the 2SLGBTQI+ community? Why/why not?

· How would you describe the level of acceptance, support, and inclusion that Canadian society has for the 2SLGBTQI+ community? Why do you feel this way?

o Has the level of acceptance, support, and inclusion changed over time? If yes, how so? What’s behind this change?

§ IF NOT MENTIONED: Has the level of hate against the 2SLGBTQI+ community changed over time? If yes, how so? What’s behind this change?

o What should be done to promote the acceptance, support, and inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in Canadians society?

§ Does the Government of Canada have a role to play? If yes, what should its role be?

· What are the most important issues impacting the 2SLGBTQI+ community that the Government of Canada should prioritize?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: What about promoting and protecting 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms in Canada?

· How would you describe the current state of 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: What about when it comes to 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms in the workplace? At school? In the healthcare system?

§ Has the state of 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms changed more recently? If yes, how so? What do you think is behind this change?

o What are your biggest concerns about the state of 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms in Canada today?

o What should the Government of Canada do to promote and protect 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms?

· On promoting and protecting 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms, would you say the Government of Canada is generally on the right track or wrong track? Why do you say that?

o IF WRONG TRACK: What could the Government of Canada do to get on the right track?

· Are you aware of any work the Government of Canada is doing to protect and promote 2SLGBTQI+ rights and freedoms in Canada?

o More broadly, are you aware of any work the federal government has done to support the 2SLGBTQI+ community? What are your reactions, feelings, or thoughts to this?

§ IF NOT MENTIONED: What about investing $75 million for 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations that advocate for and serve 2SLGBTQI+ communities?

§ IF NOT MENTIONED: What about passing Bill C-16, a law written to recognize gender expression and gender identity as a human right and protect gender diverse individuals from discrimination and hate propaganda?

§ IF NOT MENTIONED: What about Bill C-4, an Act to amend the criminal code to ban conversion therapy?

§ IF NOT MENTIONED: What about Health Canada lifting the ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men?

· What should the Government of Canada do to improve relations with the 2SLGBTQI+ community?

9-8-8 (45 minutes) Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+, Northern Alberta

During the following discussion, one of the topics we will address is suicide prevention and emotional distress. While we have tried to minimize any potential risks and discomfort, due to the sensitive nature of the topic, if at any time you feel uncomfortable or uneasy giving your opinion, please feel free not to answer any of the questions asked or step away.

If you or someone you know is going through a crisis and needs support, please know that there are mental health resources you can consult. Our tech support will provide you with some of these resources in the chat now. We will also send an email to each one of you after the group with this list of resources as well as additional numbers that you can call or text.

TECH SUPPORT TO PROVIDE LIST OF RESOURCES IN CHAT

· Talk Suicide Canada: www.talksuicide.ca OR 1-833-456-4566

· The Hope for Wellness Helpline: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

· Get Help Here: https://www.canada.ca/mental-health

· Wellness Together Canada: https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA

On the topic of mental health resources …

I’m going to present you with a few different statements that you might see on social media, in advertisements, online, etc. regarding topics related to suicide prevention and mental health. After each message, we will discuss your impressions.

SHOW ON SCREEN:

Statement 1: If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts or in emotional distress, there is help. Call or text 9-8-8 for support 24/7/365.

Secondary message: People can also call or text 9-8-8 if they are worried about a loved one who may be thinking of suicide and need support.

· What does this message motivate you to do or think?

· What is your understanding of “emotional distress”, as it appears in this messaging?

· How would you improve this message?

· What if the text “in emotional distress” was removed and the message focused only on “suicidal thoughts”? Does the meaning change for you?

· How do you feel about the term “suicidal thoughts”? Is there other similar messaging that might resonate (e.g., “feeling suicidal”, “suicidal feelings”)?

SHOW ON SCREEN:

Statement 2: Approximately 12 people in Canada die by suicide each day. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, there is help. Text or call 9-8-8 for support from a trained responder.

· What does this message motivate you to do or think?

· In this statement, the word “crisis” is used instead of “emotional distress”. In your opinion, is there a difference between crisis and emotional distress?

· How would you improve this message?

· Does including a statistic make the message resonate more or have a bigger impact on you?

· Does the mention of a “trained responder” add value to the message?

· Let’s talk about other important features of the service. Which of the following are important to mention in an ad promoting 9-8-8?

o Confidential

§ Why/Why not?

o Trauma-informed

§ Why/Why not?

o Culturally appropriate

§ Why/Why not?

§ Does “culturally appropriate” resonate with you?

§ What about “culturally sensitive”?

o Free

§ Why/Why not?

SHOW ON SCREEN:

Statement 3: Free, confidential mental health support is available any time, from anywhere in Canada. This includes 9-8-8 suicide prevention and crisis support, as well as other non-crisis mental health supports at Canada.ca/mental-health.

· What does this message motivate you to do or think?

· Specifically on 9-8-8, what does this message communicate to you?

· How would you improve this message?

· Do you find this message includes too much information?

· Is it clear which action to take depending on the state of someone’s mental health?

SHOW ON SCREEN:

Statement 4: When you call 9-8-8, the priority is to help you stay safe and feel supported. Emergency services, such as 9-1-1, will only be called if you are at risk of dying or seriously harming yourself. Calling emergency services only happens in a very small number of cases.

· In your opinion, is it important to distinguish 9-8-8 services from 9-1-1?

o Does this message clarify the difference between the two and how they may interact?

· How would you improve this message?

· Is this an important message to include?

Now thinking about 9-8-8 in general …

· Once 9-8-8 is launched, what types of promotional materials, information resources or advertising about 9-8-8 would you be most likely to pay attention to?

· What kind of information would help someone know when to call or text 9-8-8?

· Would you be motivated to share information about 9-8-8 with family, friends or someone else you know, such as a colleague?

Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ I’m going to show you a few potential names for this service. A reminder that 9-8-8 will be a talk and text-based service.

Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ SHOW OPTIONS ON SCREEN:

· Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ 9-8-8 Talk Suicide

· Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline

· Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ 9-8-8: Call/text for suicide crisis help

· Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ With a show of hands, which one of these do you think is the most suitable:

o Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ How many think ‘9-8-8 Talk Suicide’ works best? What makes you say that?

o Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ How many think ‘9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline’ works best? What makes you say that?

o Greater Toronto Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ How many think ‘9-8-8’ as a name on its own, followed by a call-to-action message such as “Call/text for suicide crisis help” works best? What makes you say that?

DISABILITIES BENEFITS (40 minutes) Northern Quebec Territory

Now I’d like to move onto a different topic…

· If you feel comfortable sharing, do you have any friends or family who live with a disability or do you, yourself have any personal experience living with a disability?

o How would you define what it means to be a person living with a disability?

· Are you aware of anything the Government of Canada does to support Canadians living with disabilities? If so, what have you heard?

· Given what you know, how would you rate existing government supports for persons living with disabilities in Canada?

o Do you think persons living with disabilities get enough support, not enough support, or too much support from the government? Why do you say that?

· In your view, what are some of the biggest challenges Canadians living with disabilities face?

· What role, if any, should the Government of Canada play in addressing these challenges? IF NOT MENTIONED: Does the Government of Canada have a role to play in ensuring persons with disabilities have a basic income to meet their basic needs? Why/why not? CLARIFY AS NEEDED: Basics needs might include rent, bills, and food

o IF NOT MENTIONED: Does the Government of Canada have a role to play in ensuring persons with disabilities can find and keep good jobs? Why/why not?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: Does the Government of Canada have a role to play in ensuring the full social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities? Why/why not?

CLARIFY: According to the most recent Canadian Survey on Disability from 2017, nearly 23% of working-age persons with a disability are living in poverty, compared to about 9% for those without a disability.

· What are your reactions to this fact?

· What do you believe are the leading reasons behind persons with disabilities being more likely to be living in poverty?

CLARIFY: The Government of Canada has passed legislation to create a new Canada Disability Benefit, which will create a direct monthly payment to low-income Canadians with disabilities of working age.

· What are your initial reactions to this information?

· Were you aware of the Canada Disability Benefit before today?

· Do you support or oppose this initiative, or are you more neutral? Why?

· Do you have any questions about the Canada Disabilities Benefit? If yes, what are they?

· Is this something the Government of Canada should be doing? Why/why not?

o How would you feel if it increased taxes? What about if it added to the deficit?

· What impacts could a benefit like this have?

· Who within the broader disability community should this benefit be targeted to?

· Would it impact you personally? What about your friends/family?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: What impacts could it have on reducing poverty among persons living with disabilities?

§ How confident are you that this benefit will reduce poverty among persons with disabilities? Why do you feel this way?

§ How big of a priority, if at all, should reducing poverty among persons with disabilities be for the Government of Canada? Why/why not?

· In what ways could the Canada Disabilities Benefit contribute to promoting equality and inclusion for persons living with disabilities?

· Do you think the Canada Disabilities Benefit could have an impact on the economy? Would it be positive or negative?

· Of all the impacts we’ve discussed, which do you consider to be the most important? Why?

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES (50 minutes) Quebec Anglophones

· How long have you lived in Quebec?

o Would you say that the community you live in is predominantly French or English-speaking?

· Have you encountered any opportunities or challenges as an English-speaker living in Quebec? What are they?

o What impact does your language have on things like employment, education, healthcare, or accessing other private or public services?

§ Have you ever been unable to access these services due to a language barrier?

§ What about when it comes to your sense of inclusion or belonging?

· Has your experience living as an English-speaker in Quebec changed over time?

o IF YES: In what ways has it changed?

o What impacts have these changes had on your life?

§ IF NEGATIVE IMPACTS: What, if anything, could be done to make things better?

o Does the Government of Canada have a role to play?

§ IF YES: What role should they play?

§ What impacts do you think the Government of Canada could have?

o How do you see this issue changing in the future, if at all?

· How would you describe your ability to speak French?

o FOR THOSE NOT FLUENT IN FRENCH: Is learning French something you feel willing and able to do? Why/why not?

§ Are there enough supports, resources, and opportunities available for you to learn French? Why do you feel this way?

· What are some of the rights that “official language minority communities,” like the French-speaking communities outside of Quebec and English-speaking communities inside Quebec, have?

· Do you think that the French or English languages are threatened anywhere in Canada? Why/why not?

o IF YES: In what ways are they threatened?

· How big of a priority, if at all, should it be for the Government of Canada to support both the French and English languages in Canada?

o What would that look like to you?

· Would you say the Government of Canada is on the right track or the wrong track when it comes to protecting and promoting the rights of official language minority communities? Why do you feel this way?

o IF WRONG TRACK: What should the Government of Canada do to get on the right track?

· Do you have any suggestions on how the Government of Canada could better support English-speaking communities in Quebec?

HOUSING (60-80 minutes) Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent

Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent When you were recruited for this focus group, you indicated that you currently rent the place where you live or are looking to rent a place soon. Could I confirm quickly with you now, using a show of hands:

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent How many of you are currently renting?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent How many of you are in the process of looking for a place to rent?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent ASK TO EACH PARTICIPANT: When do you expect to move into your rental unit?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent How would you describe the housing situation in your community? What about renting, specifically?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent What are the biggest challenges when it comes to renting in your community? PROMPT AS NECESSARY: Affordability, quality, supply…

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent In your opinion, what has contributed to the lack of affordable rental options in your community?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Would you say the situation with respect to housing and the rental market has worsened, improved, or stayed the same over the last few years? PROMPT TO ENSURE AFFORDABILITY IS COVERED.

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent IF WORSENED/IMPROVED: What’s behind these changes?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent What might help improve the situation?

§ Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent When it comes to affordability specifically, what, if anything, needs to happen for the affordability of renting in Vancouver to improve?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent How long do you think it will take to solve the issues behind the unaffordability of renting in Vancouver?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Who is most responsible for addressing the challenges we’ve been discussing when it comes to renting? PROMPT FOR: The federal government, the provincial government, or your municipal government? Why?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Who is best equipped to deal with these issues? PROMPT FOR: The federal government, the provincial government, or your municipal government? Why?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent To the best of your knowledge, has the Government of Canada done anything to address the issues facing renters?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent What, if anything, should the Government of Canada be doing to support renters?

· Mid-Size Centres Ontario What have you seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada’s policies on housing?

· Mid-Size Centres Ontario What are the biggest challenges in housing that the Government of Canada should be addressing? Why should these challenges be prioritized?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: What about building more homes?

· Mid-Size Centres Ontario Who is best equipped to deal with these issues? Why? PROMPT FOR: The federal government, the provincial government, or your municipal government?

· Mid-Size Centres Ontario To the best of your knowledge, has the Government of Canada done anything to address issues facing renters?

· Mid-Size Centres Ontario What, if anything, should the Government of Canada be doing to support renters?

Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario SHOW ON SCREEN: Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario As part of the National Housing Strategy, the Government of Canada introduced the Canada Housing Benefit in 2020, to help low-income renters with the cost of housing. Low-income renters receive this benefit every month; the amount varies by province. In 2022, the Government of Canada announced that a top-up of the Canada Housing Benefit would be available to low-income renters in Canada, who could receive a one-time payment of $500.

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What is your reaction to this measure?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Before today, were you aware of the Canada Housing Benefit?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Were you aware that it was a monthly benefit?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Is this measure on the right track or the wrong track in making renting more affordable?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario [What/Is there anything] else [would you like/you would like] to see from the Government of Canada to support renters?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Do you hope to be a homeowner one day?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent IF NO: Why not?

o Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent IF YES: How likely do you feel it is that you will become a homeowner someday?

· What have you seen, read, or heard about the Government of Canada’s policies on [housing/making homeownership more attainable for first-time home buyers]?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers What are the biggest challenges in housing that the Government of Canada should be addressing? Why should these challenges be prioritized?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers IF NOT MENTIONED: What about helping Canadians in buying their first home?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers IF NOT MENTIONED: What about building more homes?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers In your opinion, what are the biggest barriers to purchasing your first home?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers What could the Government of Canada do to help you afford your first home?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers What else needs to happen for the housing market in Canada to become more affordable?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent On making homeownership more attainable for first-time home buyers, has the Government of Canada generally been on the right track or wrong track? What makes you say that?

Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario I’m now going to show you various housing initiatives from the Government of Canada. [There are a few different categories, and we’ll go through each category individually.]

SHOW ON SCREEN:

· Introducing a new Tax-Free First Home Savings Account to allow Canadians to save up to $40,000, tax-free, to help buy their first home;

· The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, a shared-equity mortgage with the Government of Canada which provides a 5% or 10% down payment towards the purchasing of a first home;

· Expanding the First Time Home [Buyers’/Buyer] Incentive to allow more flexibility and making it easier for single Canadians to access;

· Doubling the First-Time Home Buyers’Tax Credit to provide up to $1,500 in direct support to home buyers to offset closing costs involved in buying a first home;

· Investing $200 million to increase rent-to-own housing options; [and]

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers Banning blind bidding (blind bidding is where home buyers don’t know how much others are bidding).

· What are your reactions to [each of] these measures?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers Is there anything on this list that you were not aware of?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers Do you have any questions about any of these measures?

· Mid-Size Centres Ontario Are these [initiatives/measures] on the right track or wrong track in making home ownership more attainable? Would any of these personally impact you?

o What about the New Tax-Free First Home Savings Account?

CLARIFY: The New Tax-Free First Home Savings Account gives prospective first-time home buyers the ability to save [up to] $40,000 on a tax-free basis. [Similar to/Like] the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), contributions will be tax-deductible, and withdrawals to purchase a first home, including from investment income, will be nontaxable, like a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). It will be tax-free in and out.

· Do you think this would personally impact you? What about new home buyers in general?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Do you have any questions about any of these measures?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Is there anything [here/in this section] that the Government of Canada should not be doing?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers What else should the Government of Canada do to support first-time home buyers?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers Do you think supporting first-time home buyers is a priority for the Government of Canada? Why/why not?

Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Shifting over to building more homes …

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What have you seen, read, or heard about work the Government of Canada is doing or planning to do to encourage the construction of more homes?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What have you seen, read, or heard about the Housing Accelerator Fund? CLARIFY: The Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4 billion fund that gives money to municipal governments to encourage them to take steps to increase local housing supply.

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What are your reactions to this?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What impact do you think a fund like this will have?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Would you support or oppose an increase to the [local] housing supply in your area?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Should there be consequences for municipalities that don't prioritize building enough homes? Why?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario IF YES: What consequences do you think would be appropriate?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Do you have any concerns about building more homes in your community faster?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario IF YES: What are they?

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers, Mid-Size Centres Ontario Who here is familiar with municipal zoning? CLARIFY: A municipal zoning bylaw controls the use of land in your community. It is set by municipal governments and states exactly how land may be used, where buildings and other structures can be located, the types of buildings that are permitted, and how they may be used.

Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent SHOW ON SCREEN:

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Banning blind bidding (blind bidding is where home buyers don’t know how much others are bidding);

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Banning all non-Canadians who live outside of Canada from buying houses in Canada for two years (also known as the foreign buyers ban) to ensure that houses are used as homes for Canadians to live in, rather than as financial assets for foreign investors;

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Introducing a house flipping tax to deter investors from buying up houses for the purpose of quickly re-selling them at a higher price;

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Taxing assignment sales of new or renovated housing 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);

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Launching a new $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund to remove barriers and incentivize housing supply growth, with the goal of creating at least 100,000 new homes across Canada.

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What impacts, if any, do you think [municipal zoning bylaws could have on building more homes/each of these measures will have]? [Would any of these measures personally impact you?]

· Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers Do you think municipalities should be encouraged to make zoning changes to allow for more homes in their communities? Why?

o Interior B.C. First-Time Home Buyers What if these changes meant your neighbourhood would be more compact and populated?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Is there anything in this section that the Government of Canada should not be doing?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Do you have any questions about any of these measures?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent Will these measures have an impact on making the rental market in Vancouver more affordable? Why/why not?

· Vancouver Renters and Those Looking to Rent, Mid-Size Centres Ontario What else would you like to see from the Government of Canada when it comes to [building more homes/housing]?

CARBON PRICING (40 minutes) Rural Nova Scotia

· How important is it for the Government of Canada to reduce carbon pollution in Canada? Why?

· What, if anything, have you seen, read, or heard about carbon pollution pricing in Canada?

· As far as you know, is there a price on carbon pollution in Nova Scotia today?

· Have you heard anything about Climate Action Incentive payments, sometimes referred to as pollution price rebates?

o What have you heard?

o To the best of your knowledge, have you or someone else in your household received this payment?

In 2016, the Government of Canada announced a plan to put a price on carbon pollution across the country. There are two parts to carbon pollution pricing – a fuel charge and a separate system for industry. The one we’ll be focusing on today is the fuel charge, which applies to things like oil and gas. Provinces and territories either use the federal price on pollution or propose their own systems, as long as it meets the standard set out by the federal government.

· What are your reactions when you hear this information?

o Do you support putting a price on carbon pollution? Why/why not?

SHOW ON SCREEN:

· Overall, does this approach of pricing pollution make sense? Why/why not?

o Do you have any questions about how it works? What are they?

o Does it seem fair? Does it seem affordable?

For residents of small and rural communities, the Climate Action Incentive payments include a rural supplement of 10% (i.e., a 10% top up to their payments), since Canadians in these communities don’t necessarily have the same options available to reduce their emissions, particularly when it comes to transportation.

· Does knowing this change how you feel about the price on pollution? Why/why not?

· Is this approach of pricing pollution fair to Canadians living in rural and smaller communities? Why/why not?

· Do you think a price on carbon pollution will discourage people from polluting? Why/why not? What about you, specifically?

o What other impacts, if any, might a price on pollution have on Canadians?

o In the short term, do you think the costs of a price on carbon pollution are greater than the costs of climate change to communities? Why?

§ What about in the long run?

· Based on what you now know, if you had to explain the price on pollution and the Climate Action Incentive payment to a friend, what would you tell them?

JOB MARKET (20 minutes) Montérégie Quebec Working Mothers Aged 25-54

· How would you rate the state of the job market right now? Is it good, poor, or somewhere in between? Why do you feel this way?

o How easy has it been to find a job in the field you’re interested in?

§ As a working mother, have there been any challenges/barriers you’ve encountered when searching for work or while you’ve been working? If yes, what have some of these challenges/barriers been?

· Thinking about five years from now, do you feel the job market will be worse, better or the same? Why do you feel this way?

o How do you imagine jobs might be different in five years compared to how they are now?

§ Considering these potential changes in the future of work, does this impact how you feel about your own job prospects?

· IF YES: In which ways?

· IF NO: Why not?

· Would you say the Government of Canada is on the right track or wrong track when it comes to creating good jobs in Canada? What about when it comes to supporting workers?

· Are you aware of any work the Government of Canada is doing to help create jobs, provide skills training, or support workers?

o What should the Government of Canada do to help?

PARENTS – COST OF LIVING (40 minutes) Montérégie Quebec Working Mothers Aged 25-54

· Generally, how would you describe the Government of Canada’s management of the economy?

o Are they generally on the right track or the wrong track? Why?

· As a working mother, which economic issues are you most worried about and impacted by?

o Does the Government of Canada understand the economic issues you’re most worried about and impacted by? Why/why not?

§ PROMPT AS NEEDED: What about on affordability and the cost of living?

· What is the Government of Canada doing to address the rising cost of living?

· What are examples of things that have become less affordable in your day-to-day life?

o PROMPT AS NEEDED: What about when it comes to groceries or gas?

o Have you changed any of your day-to-day habits in response to the rising cost of living?

· What have you seen, read or heard recently about work the Government of Canada is doing to help with the cost of groceries?

o What are your reactions to what you’ve heard?

· What do you think is causing prices to go up?

· What can the Government do about the rising cost of living?

· Are you aware of any Government of Canada policies, programs, services, or benefits that benefit parents?

· Who here is aware of … ?

o The Canada Child Benefit

o The Canada Dental Benefit

· IF AWARE: What do you know about each program?

PROMPT: The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a means-tested income support program for Canadian families. It is delivered as a tax-free monthly payment available to eligible Canadian families to help with the cost of raising children. The CCB is indexed to inflation.

PROMPT: The Government of Canada is implementing a Dental Benefit to help lower dental costs for eligible families earning less than $90,000.

· What are your reactions to this information?

o Was there anything you weren’t previous aware of?

o Do you have any questions when it comes to any of these programs?

· When it comes to affordability and the cost of living, how big of an impact, if any, will these programs have on you and your family?

o Would you consider the Canada Child Benefit, and the Canada Dental Benefit as important affordability measures for parents? Why/why not?

· What else should the Government of Canada do to help support working mothers?

COMMUNITY SAFETY (25 minutes) Mid-Size & Major Centres Prairies (Manitoba & Saskatchewan) Filipino Diaspora

Now turning to community safety …

· Do you feel that your community is safe? Why/why not?

· As far as you can tell, has there been an increase, decrease, or no change in the level of crime in your community?

o IF INCREASE: What have you noticed specifically?

§ What do you think is behind the increase in crime? What are some of the causes?

· Who is most responsible for dealing with crime?

o What role does the Government of Canada have in addressing crime?

· Do you know of anything the Government of Canada has done over the last few years to address crime? Are you aware of anything they are doing now?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: What about any work on gun control?

§ IF AWARE: What are your reactions to this?

o IF NOT MENTIONED: What about working to reduce gang activity and violence?

· What else should the Government of Canada do to help reduce crime?

· Can you think of anything else the Government of Canada could do to prevent crime?

o PROBE: What about more mental health services? Addiction treatment? Housing?

o Would these have an impact? Why/why not?

o Should they be a priority for the federal government?

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS (25 minutes) Small Centres Québec

Now I’d like to talk about climate change…

· How concerned are you, if at all, by climate change? Why do you feel this way?

· What comes to mind when you think about the potential impacts of climate change?

o Does climate change have any impacts on things like agriculture, wildlife, extreme weather, extreme temperatures, floods, droughts, or wildfires?

§ IF YES: As far as you know, what impacts does it have?

§ IF NO: Why do you feel this way?

· How concerned are you about the potential impacts of climate change on your community?

· Have you seen any impacts of climate change in your community?

o IF YES: What have you seen?

· Is it important for the federal government to help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change?

o Have you heard of anything the federal government is doing to prepare for the impacts of climate change?

§ What would you want them to do?

CLIMATE LITERACY (30 minutes) Small Centres Québec

· Do you think individuals have any responsibility to help stop climate change?

Note to moderator: Proceed through this question quickly

· What are some examples of behaviours that you can take that might help slow climate change?

o PROMPT: These can be behaviours related to our food, our transportation, our use of energy in our homes, the products we buy, how we dispose of waste, etc.

· Which actions do you find are the easiest to take? Why?

· Which actions do you find are the most difficult to take? Why

o PROMPT: Not knowing what actions to take?

o PROMPT: Not being able to afford to take action?

o PROMPT: Not having pro-climate options available to you?

· Over the next 6 months, do you intend to increase the number of pro-climate actions you take, decrease or keep about the same? Why?

· If you, as an individual, had unlimited resources, what would you do to help stop climate change?

o Why?

· To what extent do you think other people in Canada are taking action to help stop climate change?

· If you knew that other people were taking pro-climate action, would that encourage you to do the same? Why/why not?

· By a show of hands, how many of you would say that your individual actions can have a positive impact on climate change? Why/why not?

· By a show of hands, how many of you would agree that, if we all act collectively, our actions can have a positive impact on climate change? Why/why not?

· What types of actions do you think have the strongest/most positive impact on climate change?

· Which actions do you think are less/least [impactful/effective]?

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 Area, Major Centres Atlantic Canada 2SLGBTQI+ Moderator to remind participants that we will send a follow-up email with a list of mental health resources.

French Moderator’s Guide

GUIDE DU MODÉRATEUR

JUILLET & AOÛT 2023

INTRODUCTION (10 minutes) Tous les lieux

· Le modérateur ou la personne responsable du soutien technique doit faire savoir 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.

· Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ de grands centres du Canada atlantique, Nord de l’Alberta Le modérateur doit également prendre note que le thème du suicide fera l’objet d’une discussion dans la dernière partie de l’ordre du jour. Rappeler aux participants que leur participation est volontaire et qu’ils doivent se sentir libres de se retirer de la conversation s’ils ne se sentent pas à l’aise. Le modérateur le rappellera à nouveau aux participants lorsque nous aurons atteint ce point au cours de la discussion.

PERFORMANCES ET PRIORITÉS — ENJEUX ET INDUSTRIES LOCAUX (25 minutes) Territoire du Nord québécois

· Sur quel plan le gouvernement du Canada doit-il s’améliorer?

· À votre avis quels sont les principaux enjeux auxquels le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder la priorité?

o Quels sont les principaux enjeux au sein de votre communauté auxquels le gouvernement devrait tout particulièrement accorder la priorité?

o Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il fait quoi que ce soit pour résoudre ces problèmes?

· Quels sont les secteurs d’activité et les industries les plus importants pour votre communauté?

o Quels sont les secteurs et les industries de votre communauté qui, pour vous, ont le plus besoin d’aide?

o Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il fait quoi que ce soit pour soutenir ces secteurs d’activité et ces industries?

· Lorsqu’il s’agit de s’engager auprès de la population du territoire nordique québécois, d’écouter leurs préoccupations et d’y répondre, diriez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada est généralement sur la bonne voie ou la mauvaise voie?

o À votre avis, y a-t-il de meilleures façons dont le gouvernement fédéral pourrait s’engager auprès de la population du territoire nordique québécois? Si oui, quelles sont-elles?

LE GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA DANS L’ACTUALITÉ (5-20 minutes) Région du Grand Toronto, membre de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique, Nord de l’Alberta, territoire du Nord québécois, anglophones du Québec, acheteurs d’une première du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de tailles moyennes de l’Ontario, Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) (Manitoba et Saskatchewan), mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec, centres de petite taille du Québec

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

o Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique, Nord de l’Alberta, territoire nordique québécois, anglophones du Québec, régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse, locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario, diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Quelles sont vos réactions à cette nouvelle?

o Régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec Où en avez-vous [entendu, lu, ou vu] cette [nouvelle/information]?

o Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Quelles sont vos principales sources d’actualités? (Par exemple, nouvelles télévisées, radio, médias sociaux, ami ou famille)

o Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Obtenez-vous principalement des nouvelles de sources en langue anglaise ou dans une autre langue?

o SI DANS UNE AUTRE LANGUE : Quelle(s) langue(s)?

o Avec quelle fréquence vous tournez-vous vers des sources dans d’autres langues?

o Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Obtenez-vous principalement des nouvelles des médias canadiens ou des médias d’un autre pays?

o SI UN AUTRE PAYS : Quel(s) pays?

· Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Si vous cherchiez des nouvelles du gouvernement fédéral, vers quelle source vous tourneriez-vous en premier? Pourquoi?

DÉFIS POUR LES COLLECTIVITÉS (20 minutes) Régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse, centres de petite taille du Québec

Maintenant, je voudrais qu’on se concentre sur votre communauté locale…

· Quels sont les enjeux importants auxquels votre collectivité est confrontée et sur lesquels, selon vous, le gouvernement du Canada devrait se concentrer?

· Quels sont les plus importants secteurs d’activités et industries pour votre communauté locale?

· Quels sont les secteurs d’activités et les industries de votre région qui, selon vous, ont le plus besoin d’aide?

o NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : POUR DEUX OU TROIS DES SECTEURS IMPORTANTS CITÉS DEMANDER

§ À votre connaissance le gouvernement du Canada a fait quoi que ce soit pour soutenir ce secteur.

§ Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement du Canada devrait faire de plus pour soutenir ces secteurs?

· Régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse Quels sont les secteurs et les industries auxquels vous souhaiteriez que le gouvernement du Canada accorde une priorité?

· Les pénuries de main-d’œuvre posent-elles problème au sein de votre collectivité?

o SI OUI : Ces pénuries de main-d’œuvre touchent-elles certains secteurs en particulier?

§ SI OUI : Lesquels?

§ À quoi sont dues ces pénuries de main-d’œuvre à votre avis?

§ Quelles sont, selon vous, les solutions pouvant être envisagées pour aider à limiter les pénuries de main-d’œuvre?

[HUMEUR/SENTIMENT DU PUBLIC] (10 minutes) Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan), mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec

Maintenant [penchons-nous/j’aimerais aborder un sujet plus vaste

· Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Lorsque vous pensez à votre avenir au Canada, qu’est-ce qui vous rend optimiste?

· Diaspora philippine de grands centres et de centres de taille moyenne des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) D’autre part, y a-t-il des choses qui vous inquiètent ou vous préoccupent quant à votre avenir au Canada?

o SI OUI : Lesquels?

· Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec En tant que parent, qu’est-ce qui, le cas échéant, vous rend optimiste quant à l’avenir de vos enfants au Canada?

· Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec Y a-t-il quelque chose qui vous fait craindre pour l’avenir de vos enfants au Canada?

o SI OUI : Quoi?

PERFORMANCES ET PRIORITÉS (10-40 minutes) Nord de l’Alberta, anglophones du Québec, acheteurs d’une première du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario, diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan), mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec

Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse Et maintenant [laissons de côté les enjeux communautaires; j’aimerais passer à la désignation et à l’examen de certains enjeux, et)] en pensant plus largement au gouvernement du Canada…

• À votre avis, qu’est-ce que le gouvernement du Canada fait de bien à l’heure actuelle?

o Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec Si vous repensez aux dernières années, quelles sont les choses que le gouvernement du Canada a faites de bien?

• Sur quels plans le gouvernement fédéral doit-il s’améliorer? Pourquoi dites-vous cela?

• Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec Votre opinion du gouvernement du Canada s’est-elle améliorée ou détériorée au fil du temps? Pourquoi?

• Nord de l’Alberta L’opinion que vous avez du gouvernement du Canada a-t-elle changé au cours de la dernière année?

· Nord de l’Alberta, régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse, locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan), centres de petite taille du Québec À votre avis, quels sont les principaux enjeux auxquels le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder la priorité? [Pourquoi?]

o Nord de l’Alberta SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et en matière de changement climatique?

· Nord de l’Alberta Dans quelle mesure êtes-vous préoccupé(e) par le changement climatique? Pourquoi dîtes-vous cela?

· Nord de l’Alberta Le changement climatique a-t-il un impact quelconque sur la faune et la flore et entraîne-t-il des phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes, de températures extrêmes, des inondations, des sécheresses ou des incendies de forêt?

o Nord de l’Alberta SI OUI : Quels sont ses impacts?

o Nord de l’Alberta SI NON : Pourquoi êtes-vous de cet avis?

o Nord de l’Alberta SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Croyez-vous qu’il existe un lien entre le changement climatique et la fréquence et la gravité des feux de forêt au Canada?

§ Nord de l’Alberta SI OUI : Comment sont-ils liés?

§ Nord de l’Alberta SI NON : Pourquoi dites-vous cela?

· Nord de l’Alberta Dans quelle mesure êtes-vous préoccupé(e) par les effets potentiels du changement climatique sur votre collectivité?

· Nord de l’Alberta Avez-vous constaté de quelconques effets du changement climatique au sein de votre collectivité?

o Nord de l’Alberta SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous constaté?

· Nord de l’Alberta Dans quelle mesure votre collectivité est-elle préparée à faire face à ces potentiels impacts du changement climatique?

· Nord de l’Alberta Au cours des douze derniers mois, est-ce vous ou un membre de votre famille avez pris de quelconques mesures pour préparer les membres de votre ménage aux éventuels impacts du changement climatique?

· Nord de l’Alberta Au cours des prochaines décennies, prévoyez-vous que votre collectivité sera davantage menacée en raison du changement climatique?

Nord de l’Alberta J’aimerais maintenant parler plus particulièrement des feux de forêt…

· Nord de l’Alberta Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu au sujet de la réponse du gouvernement du Canada concernant les feux de forêt en Alberta?

o Nord de l’Alberta Comment qualifieriez-vous la réponse du gouvernement du Canada concernant les feux de forêt? Diriez-vous que sa réponse est appropriée ou inappropriée?

o Nord de l’Alberta Pourquoi dites-vous cela?

Nord de l’Alberta AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :

Nord de l’Alberta Le gouvernement a pris plusieurs mesures pour venir en aide aux personnes touchées par les feux de forêt.

· Nord de l’Alberta Collaboration avec les provinces et des organismes à but non lucratif pour compléter les dons, ce qui a permis de recueillir 20 millions de dollars pour soutenir les groupes communautaires de l’Alberta.

· Nord de l’Alberta Octroi d’une aide financière aux provinces pour les aider à assumer les frais d’intervention et couvrant jusqu’à 90 % de leurs frais de rétablissement.

· Nord de l’Alberta Déploiement des Forces armées canadiennes pour aider à combattre les feux de forêt, à la planification, à la coordination et à d’autres opérations en matière d’intervention.

· Nord de l’Alberta Le recours aux réserves nationales d’urgence (fournitures et équipements médicaux, produits pharmaceutiques) pour venir en aide aux provinces sinistrées.

· Nord de l’Alberta Aider les personnes touchées par les feux de forêt à bénéficier de prestations comme l’assurance-emploi, la Sécurité de la vieillesse et le Régime de pensions du Canada.

· Nord de l’Alberta Mise en œuvre d’un programme pilote de formation de deux ans pour former un plus grand nombre de pompiers.

· Nord de l’Alberta Quelles sont vos premières réflexions au sujet de ces mesures? Aviez-vous connaissance d’une de ces mesures?

o Nord de l’Alberta Diriez-vous que cette réponse est appropriée ou inappropriée? Pourquoi dîtes-vous cela?

o Nord de l’Alberta Selon vous, le gouvernement du Canada en fait-il assez pour aider les collectivités touchées par les feux de forêt? Pourquoi dîtes-vous cela?

o Nord de l’Alberta Que devrait faire de plus le gouvernement fédéral pour lutter contre les feux de forêt?

· Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec Selon vous, quelles sont les principales problématiques ayant un impact sur les parents auxquelles le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder la priorité?

• Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie au Québec En ce qui concerne ces priorités, le gouvernement du Canada est-il généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie? Pourquoi dîtes-vous cela?

o 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?

• Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il des soins de santé?

o Comment décririez-vous le système de soins de santé de votre région?

o Quels sont les problèmes les plus urgents liés aux soins de santé au sein de votre communauté?

· Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Selon vous, quelles sont les principales problématiques affectant les Philippins auxquelles le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder la priorité?

· Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) En ce qui concerne ces problématiques, diriez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada est généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie? Pourquoi?

o SI SUR LA MAUVAISE VOIE : Que doit faire le gouvernement du Canada pour être sur la bonne voie?

• Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan), centres de petite taille du Québec SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il de l’immigration? Diriez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada est généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie quand il s’agit de gérer le système d’immigration? Pourquoi?

o Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Quels sont les principaux enjeux en matière d’immigration que le gouvernement fédéral devrait prioriser?

o Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il des délais de traitement? Qu’en est-il de la reconnaissance des titres de compétences étrangers?

Diaspora philippine, centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) FOURNIR DES ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS AU BESOIN : La reconnaissance d’un titre de compétence étranger consiste pour le gouvernement fédéral, provincial ou territorial à déterminer qu’une licence ou un certificat obtenu à l’étranger répond aux normes en vigueur au Canada, de sorte qu’une personne puisse occuper un emploi spécialisé. Les métiers de médecin, de comptable ou d’électricien sont des exemples d’emplois spécialisés.

· Diaspora philippine, centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Est-il important d’accorder la priorité à cette problématique? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

o Quelqu’un parmi vous a-t-il été personnellement concerné par cette question ou des membres de votre famille l’ont-ils été?

o Selon vous, qu’a fait, le cas échéant, le gouvernement du Canada pour résoudre ce problème?

o Que devrait faire le gouvernement du Canada à ce sujet?

• Diaspora philippine, centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) De manière plus générale, pensez-vous que le gouvernement fédéral accorde suffisamment d’attention à la communauté philippine? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

o Diaspora philippine, centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Selon vous, le gouvernement du Canada comprend-il les enjeux qui vous préoccupent le plus? Pourquoi dîtes-vous cela?

o Diaspora philippine, centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Comment le gouvernement fédéral devrait-il engager le dialogue avec la communauté philippine pour mieux comprendre les enjeux importants?

• Diaspora philippine, centres de taille moyenne et grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan) Que devrait faire de plus le gouvernement du Canada pour soutenir la communauté philippine?

• Centres de petite taille du Québec Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu, le cas échéant, au sujet des demandeurs d’asile qui entrent au Québec par le chemin Roxham?

• Centres de petite taille du Québec Est-ce que quelqu’un parmi vous a entendu parler de l’Entente entre le Canada et les États-Unis sur les tiers pays sûrs?

o SI OUI : Comment expliqueriez-vous cette entente?

AFFICHER À L’ÉCRAN :

En vertu de l’Entente sur les tiers pays sûrs, les demandeurs d’asile sont tenus de présenter leur demande dans le premier pays sûr où ils arrivent, à moins d’être visés par une exception prévue par l’Entente. Auparavant, cette disposition s’appliquait aux personnes entrant au Canada par un poste frontalier terrestre officiel avec les États-Unis. Les personnes qui entraient au Canada sans passer par un poste frontalier officiel (p. ex. par le chemin Roxham) pouvaient présenter une demande d’asile en tant que réfugiés.

En mars, le Canada et les États-Unis ont annoncé que l’Entente sur les tiers pays sûrs s’appliquerait désormais à toute la frontière terrestre, y compris aux voies navigables intérieures. Cela signifie que toute personne traversant la frontière par le chemin Roxham pour déposer une demande d’asile et qui n’est pas visée par une des exceptions prévues par l’Entente sera renvoyée aux États-Unis.

• Centres de petite taille du Québec Quelles sont vos réactions à cela?

COÛT DE LA VIE Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique

· Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement du Canada fait de bien?

· Sur quel plan le gouvernement du Canada doit-il s’améliorer?

· À votre avis quels sont les principaux enjeux auxquels le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder la priorité?

· SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il du coût de la vie?

o Dans quelle mesure le coût de la vie a-t-il un impact sur votre comportement? Vos habitudes en tant que consommateur? Quel impact a-t-il?

o Selon vous, quelles sont les causes de l’augmentation du coût de la vie?

• Que fait le gouvernement du Canada, le cas échéant, pour faire face au coût de la vie?

• Comment pensez-vous que le coût de la vie aura évolué dans un an? Pensez-vous que la situation sera meilleure, pire ou la même qu’à l’heure actuelle? Pourquoi?

INFORMATIONS [MÉDIAS] (30 minutes) Région du Grand Toronto, territoire du Québec nordique, Nord de l’Alberta, anglophones du Québec, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario

· Combien de temps passez-vous généralement à lire, à regarder ou à écouter les actualités?

· Quelle est votre principale source de nouvelles? (Télévision, radio, médias sociaux, amis ou famille?)

o Y a-t-il certaines sources d’actualités qui sont plus fiables et d’autres qui le sont moins? Si oui, lesquelles?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Combien d’entre vous consultent les médias sociaux pour les nouvelles?

§ Certaines plateformes sont-elles plus crédibles ou dignes de confiance que d’autres en ce qui a trait aux actualités? Pourquoi?

· Région du Grand Toronto À votre connaissance, le nombre d’organes de presse au Canada a-t-il augmenté, diminué ou est-il resté le même au cours des dernières années?

· Territoire du Nord québécois, anglophones du Québec, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Quelles sont vos impressions sur la façon dont l’industrie des médias a changé au cours de la dernière décennie?

o Territoire du Québec nordique, anglophones du Québec, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Les Canadiennes et Canadiens ont-ils plus de moyens, moins de moyens ou à peu près le même nombre de moyens d’accéder aux informations?

o Territoire du Québec nordique, anglophones du Québec, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Diriez-vous que la couverture de l’actualité concernant les événements de votre communauté locale est très variée?

o Territoire du Québec nordique, anglophones du Québec, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Diriez-vous qu’il y a plus, moins ou à peu près le même nombre d’organes d’information aujourd’hui qu’il y a dix ans? ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS AU BESOIN : Les médias comprennent des publications ou des programmes de diffusion qui fournissent des informations par le biais de différents canaux.

o Territoire du Nord québécois, anglophones du Québec, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Y a-t-il, à votre connaissance, plus d’emplois, moins d’emplois ou à peu près le même nombre d’emplois en journalisme aujourd’hui qu’il y a dix ans?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS : Entre 2008 et 2020, les recettes totales provenant de la diffusion télévisuelle, de la radio, des journaux et des revues ont chuté de près de 6 milliards de dollars. Depuis 2008, 474 médias ont fermé leurs portes dans 335 communautés à travers le Canada. Au moins un tiers des emplois en journalisme au Canada ont disparu entre 2010 et 2016.

· À votre connaissance, qu’est-ce qui explique ces tendances dans l’industrie des médias?

· Dans quelle mesure, le cas échéant, cela vous préoccupe-t-il? Pourquoi êtes-vous de cet avis?

o Quels impacts la diminution du nombre de médias locaux pourrait-elle avoir au Canada? Cela vous concernerait-il personnellement?

§ SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il des communautés rurales, éloignées, autochtones ou des communautés linguistiques en situation minoritaire?

o Qu’est-ce qui devrait être fait, s’il y a lieu, pour remédier à ce problème?

· Dans quelle mesure le gouvernement du Canada devrait-il accorder la priorité au soutien de l’industrie des médias? Quel rôle devrait-il jouer?

o SI CE N’EST PAS PRÉALABLEMENT MENTIONNÉ : Avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu quoi que ce soit récemment au sujet du gouvernement du Canada, des médias et des grandes plateformes numériques?

§ Centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario SI AU COURANT : Que pensez-vous de ce que vous avez entendu?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS : Récemment, le gouvernement du Canada a adopté une loi obligeant certaines grandes plateformes numériques à payer les médias pour des nouvelles présentées sur leurs plateformes. Le gouvernement canadien estime que les plateformes numériques tirent profit de la diffusion de contenus d’actualité sur leurs plateformes, à la fois directement (publicités diffusées avant, après ou en fonction de nouvelles) et indirectement (mobilisation des utilisateurs, affinement des données, publicité ciblée ultérieure), et qu’il est donc important que ces géants du numérique offrent une compensation équitable aux médias.

· Que vous en ayez eu connaissance ou non avant aujourd’hui, que pensez-vous de cette situation?

o Tout compte fait, diriez-vous que vous êtes plutôt pour ou plutôt contre cette loi?

o Quels impacts pourrait avoir cette loi?

o Pensez-vous qu’elle puisse contribuer à résoudre les enjeux de l’industrie des médias dont nous discutons? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

· Est-ce que quelqu’un a des questions ou des préoccupations au sujet de cette loi?

PERFORMANCES ET PRIORITÉS —COÛT DE LA VIE (20 minutes) Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ de principaux centres du Canada atlantique

· Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement du Canada fait de bien?

· Sur quel plan le gouvernement du Canada doit-il s’améliorer?

· À votre avis quels sont les principaux enjeux auxquels le gouvernement du Canada devrait accorder la priorité?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Qu’en est-il du coût de la vie?

o Dans quelle mesure le coût de la vie a-t-il un impact sur votre comportement? Vos habitudes en tant que consommateur? Quel impact a-t-il?

o Selon vous, quelles sont les causes de l’augmentation du coût de la vie?

· Comment pensez-vous que le coût de la vie aura évolué dans un an? Pensez-vous que la situation sera meilleure, pire ou la même qu’à l’heure actuelle? Pourquoi?

o DEMANDER : Pensez-vous que la situation sera meilleure, pire ou la même qu’à l’heure actuelle? Pourquoi?

Communauté 2ELGBTQI+ (40 minutes) Membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique

· De votre point de vue, le Canada est-il un endroit où vivre qui soit ouvert et inclusif? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

· De manière générale, la société canadienne est-elle inclusive à l’endroit de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

· Comment qualifieriez-vous le niveau d’acceptation, de soutien et d’inclusion de la société canadienne à l’égard de la communauté 2SLGBTQI+? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

o Les niveaux d’acceptation, de soutien et d’inclusion ont-ils changé au fil du temps? Si oui, en quoi ont-ils changé? À quoi ce changement est-il dû?

§ SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Le niveau de haine à l’égard des membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ a-t-il changé au fil du temps? Si oui, en quoi ont-ils changé? À quoi ce changement est-il dû?

o Que faudrait-il faire pour promouvoir l’acceptation, le soutien et l’inclusion des personnes 2ELGBTQI+ au sein de la société canadienne?

§ Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il un rôle à jouer à cet égard? Si oui, quel devrait être son rôle?

· Quelles sont les questions les plus importantes ayant un impact sur la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ que le gouvernement du Canada devrait traiter en priorité?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et en ce qui concerne la promotion et la protection des droits des membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+

· Comment décririez-vous la situation actuelle concernant les droits et libertés des personnes 2ELGBTQI+?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et les droits et libertés des personnes 2ELGBTQI+ en milieu de travail? En milieu scolaire? Au sein du système de soins de santé?

§ La situation concernant les droits et libertés des personnes 2ELGBTQI+ a-t-elle changé plus récemment? Si oui, en quoi ont-ils changé? À quoi ce changement est-il dû selon vous?

o Quelles sont vos plus grandes préoccupations concernant la situation en matière de droits et de libertés des 2SLGBTQI+ au Canada aujourd’hui?

o Que devrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour promouvoir et protéger les droits et libertés des membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+?

· En ce qui concerne la promotion et la protection des droits et libertés des 2SLGBTQI+, diriez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada est généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie? Pourquoi dîtes-vous cela?

o SI SUR LA MAUVAISE VOIE : Que pourrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour se remettre sur la bonne voie?

· Avez-vous connaissance de démarches entreprises par le gouvernement du Canada pour protéger et promouvoir les droits et libertés des membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ au Canada?

o Plus généralement, avez-vous connaissance de démarches entreprises par le gouvernement fédéral pour soutenir la communauté 2ELGBTQI+? Quels sont vos réactions, vos sentiments ou vos pensées à ce sujet?

§ SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Êtes-vous au courant de l’investissement de 75 millions de dollars pour les organisations qui défendent les droits des communautés 2ELGBTQI+ et leur offrent des services?

§ SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et de l’adoption du projet de loi C-16, une loi visant à reconnaître l’expression et l’identité de genre comme un droit de la personne et à protéger les personnes de genre différent contre la discrimination et la propagande haineuse?

§ SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et du projet de loi C-4, une loi visant à modifier le Code criminel dans le but d’interdire la thérapie de conversion?

§ SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et que Santé Canada a levé l’interdiction du don de sang qui visait les hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec d’autres hommes?

· Que devrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour améliorer ces relations avec la communauté 2ELGBTQI+?

9-8-8 (45 minutes) Membres de la communauté LEGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique, région du Grand Toronto, Nord de l’Alberta

Au cours de la discussion qui suivra, nous aborderons notamment la question de la prévention du suicide et de la détresse émotionnelle. Bien que nous ayons essayé de minimiser les risques et les désagréments potentiels, en raison de la nature sensible du sujet, si vous vous sentez mal à l’aise ou gêné de donner votre avis, n’hésitez pas à ne pas répondre aux questions posées ou à vous retirer de la discussion.

Si vous ou une personne de votre entourage traversez une crise et avez besoin de soutien, sachez qu’il existe des ressources en matière de santé mentale que vous pouvez consulter. Notre service d’assistance technique vous fournira certaines de ces ressources dans la fenêtre de clavardage maintenant. Nous enverrons également un courriel à chacun d’entre vous après le groupe de discussion contenant cette liste de ressources ainsi que des numéros de téléphone supplémentaires à composer ou pour envoyer un message texte.

LE SERVICE D’ASSISTANCE TECHNIQUE FOURNIRA UNE LISTE DES RESSOURCES DANS LA FENÊTRE DE CLAVARDAGE

· Parlons suicide Canada : www.parlonssuicide.ca/ OU 1-833-456-4566

· Ligne d’écoute d’espoir pour le mieux-être : https://www.espoirpourlemieuxetre.ca/

· Obtenir de l’aide : https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/services-sante-mentale/sante-mentale-obtenir-aide.html

· Espace mieux-être Canada : : https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/fr-ca/

À propos des ressources en matière de santé mentale…

Le gouvernement du Canada travaille actuellement, en collaboration avec le Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale (CAMH), à la mise en œuvre du 9-8-8, un numéro à trois chiffres pour la prévention du suicide et la détresse émotionnelle. Le numéro n’est pas encore en service au Canada. Il sera mis en service le 20 novembre 2023.

Je vais vous présenter quelques énoncés différents que vous pourriez voir sur les médias sociaux, dans des publicités, en ligne, etc. concernant des sujets liés à la prévention du suicide et à la santé mentale. Après chaque message, nous discuterons de vos impressions.

MONTRER À L’ÉCRAN :

Énoncé 1 : Si vous êtes aux prises avec des pensées suicidaires ou une détresse émotionnelle, vous pouvez obtenir de l’aide. Composez le 9-8-8 ou envoyez un message à ce numéro pour obtenir de l’aide 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7, 365 jours par année.

Message secondaire : Il est également possible d’appeler ou d’envoyer un SMS au 9-8-8 si l’on s’inquiète pour un être cher qui pourrait avoir des pensées suicidaires et avoir besoin de soutien.

· Qu’est-ce que ce message vous incite à faire ou à penser?

· Quelle compréhension avez-vous de la notion de « détresse émotionnelle », telle qu’elle apparaît dans ce message?

· Comment amélioreriez-vous ce message?

· Et si les mots « en détresse émotionnelle » étaient supprimés et que le message ne portait que sur les « pensées suicidaires ». Est-ce que, selon vous, cela changerait le sens du message?

· Que pensez-vous du terme « pensées suicidaires »? Existe-t-il d’autres messages similaires susceptibles de susciter l’intérêt (par exemple, « se sentir suicidaire », « sentiments suicidaires »)?

MONTRER À L’ÉCRAN :

Énoncé 2 : Au Canada, environ 12 personnes meurent chaque jour des suites d’un suicide. Si vous ou une personne que vous connaissez avez des pensées suicidaires ou êtes en situation de crise, vous pouvez obtenir de l’aide. Composez le 9-8-8 ou envoyez un message texte à ce numéro pour obtenir le soutien d’un intervenant compétent.

· Qu’est-ce que ce message vous incite à faire ou à penser?

· Dans cet énoncé, le mot « crise » est utilisé à la place de « détresse émotionnelle ». À votre avis, y a-t-il une différence entre une crise et une détresse émotionnelle?

· Comment amélioreriez-vous ce message?

· L’inclusion d’une statistique permet-elle au message d’être plus convaincant ou d’avoir un plus grand impact sur vous?

· La mention d’un « intervenant compétent » renforce-t-elle le message?

Parlons des autres caractéristiques importantes du service.

· Lesquelles des caractéristiques suivantes sont importantes à mentionner dans une publicité faisant la promotion du 9-8-8?

o Confidentiel

§ Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

o Prise en compte des traumatismes

§ Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

o Culturellement approprié

§ Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

§ Le terme « culturellement approprié » trouve-t-il écho chez vous?

§ Et le terme « culturellement adapté »?

o Gratuit

§ Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

MONTRER À L’ÉCRAN :

Énoncé 3 : Un soutien gratuit et confidentiel en matière de santé mentale est disponible à tout moment, partout au Canada. Cela comprend la prévention du suicide 9-8-8 et le soutien en cas de crise associés au 9-8-8, ainsi que d’autres soutiens hors crise en matière de santé mentale sur le site Canada.ca/santé mentale.

· Qu’est-ce que ce message vous incite à faire ou à penser?

· En ce qui concerne plus particulièrement le 9-8-8, que vous dit ce message?

· Comment amélioreriez-vous ce message?

· Trouvez-vous que ce message contient trop de renseignements?

· Les mesures à prendre en fonction de l’état de santé mentale d’une personne sont-elles claires?

MONTRER À L’ÉCRAN :

Énoncé 4 : Lorsque vous appelez le 9-8-8, notre priorité est de vous aider à rester en sécurité et à vous sentir soutenu. On ne fera appel aux services d’urgence, tels que le 9-1-1, que si vous êtes en danger de mort ou si vous vous infligez des blessures graves. Le recours aux services d’urgence n’est nécessaire que dans un très petit nombre de cas.

· À votre avis, est-il important de faire la distinction entre les services du 9-8-8 et les services du 9-1-1?

o Ce message explique-t-il clairement la différence entre les deux et la manière dont ils sont susceptibles de se compléter?

· Comment amélioreriez-vous ce message?

· S’agit-il d’un renseignement important à inclure?

En ce qui concerne le 9-8-8 en général…

· Une fois le 9-8-8 en service, quels types de documentation promotionnelle, d’inforessources ou de publicité sur le 9-8-8 seraient les plus susceptibles de retenir votre attention?

· Quel type de renseignements aiderait quelqu’un à savoir quand appeler ou envoyer un message texte au 9-8-8?

· Seriez-vous incité à transmettre des renseignements au sujet du 9-8-8 à votre famille, à vos amis ou à une autre personne que vous connaissez, par exemple un collègue?

Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique Je vais vous montrer quelques noms qui pourraient être donnés à ce service. Nous rappelons que le 9-8-8 sera un service fondé sur la communication orale et textuelle.

Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique MONTRER LES CHOIX À L’ÉCRAN :

· Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique 9-8-8 : Parlons suicide

· Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique 9-8-8 : Ligne d’assistance téléphonique en cas de crise suicidaire

· Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique 9-8-8 : Appelez ou envoyez un message texte pour de l’aide en cas de crise suicidaire

· Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique Par vote à main levée, lequel de ces noms vous semble le plus approprié?

· Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique Combien d’entre vous sont d’avis que « 9-8-8 : Parlons suicide » convient le mieux? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

o Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique Combien d’entre vous sont d’avis que « 9-8-8 Ligne d’assistance téléphonique en cas de crise suicidaire » convient le mieux? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

o Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres du Canada atlantique Combien d’entre vous êtes d’avis que « 9-8-8 » en tant que nom en soi, suivi d’un message d’appel à l’action tel que « Appelez ou envoyez un message texte pour obtenir de l’aide en cas de crise suicidaire », convient le mieux? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

PRESTATIONS D’INVALIDITÉ (40 minutes) Territoire du Nord québécois

· Comment définiriez-vous ce que cela signifie que d’être une personne handicapée?

· Avez-vous entendu parler de ce que fait le gouvernement du Canada pour soutenir les Canadiennes et Canadiens handicapés? Si oui, qu’avez-vous entendu?

· À la lumière de ce que vous avez entendu, comment évaluez-vous les aides gouvernementales actuelles pour les personnes handicapées au Canada?

o Diriez-vous que les personnes handicapées obtiennent suffisamment, pas suffisamment ou trop de soutien de la part du gouvernement? Pourquoi dites-vous cela?

· De votre point de vue, quels sont certains des principaux problèmes auxquels sont confrontés les Canadiennes et les Canadiens vivant avec un handicap?

· Quel rôle, le cas échéant, le gouvernement du Canada devrait-il jouer pour remédier à ces problèmes? SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il un rôle à jouer pour garantir que les personnes handicapées disposent d’un revenu de base leur permettant de répondre à leurs besoins essentiels? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas? ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS AU BESOIN : Les besoins de base peuvent comprendre le loyer, les factures et la nourriture.

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il un rôle à jouer pour faire en sorte que les personnes handicapées puissent trouver et conserver un bon emploi? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il un rôle à jouer pour assurer la pleine intégration sociale et économique des personnes handicapées? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS : Selon la dernière Enquête canadienne sur l’incapacité de 2017, près de 23 % des personnes handicapées et en âge de travailler vivent dans la pauvreté, contre environ 9 % pour les personnes n’ayant aucune incapacité.

· Que pensez-vous de cette réalité?

· Selon vous, quelles sont les principales raisons pour lesquelles les personnes handicapées sont plus susceptibles de vivre dans la pauvreté?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS : Le gouvernement du Canada a adopté une loi visant à créer une nouvelle Prestation canadienne d’invalidité, qui permettra le versement d’une prestation mensuelle directe aux Canadiennes et Canadiens à faible revenu, en âge de travailler et handicapés.

· Que pensez-vous de cette information?

· Connaissiez-vous la Prestation canadienne d’invalidité avant aujourd’hui?

· Êtes-vous pour ou contre cette initiative, ou êtes-vous plutôt « neutre »? Pourquoi?

· Avez-vous des questions concernant la Prestation canadienne d’invalidité? Si oui, quelles sont-elles?

· Est-ce que c’est une initiative que le gouvernement du Canada devrait prendre? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

o Que penseriez-vous si cela augmentait les taxes? Et si cela augmentait le déficit?

· Quels impacts pourrait avoir une telle prestation?

· À quelles personnes au sein de l’ensemble de la communauté des personnes handicapées cette prestation devrait-elle s’adresser?

· Aurait-elle un impact sur vous personnellement? En aurait-elle un sur vos amis ou sur votre famille?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Quels impacts pourrait avoir cette prestation dans la réduction de la pauvreté chez les personnes handicapées?

§ Dans quelle mesure avez-vous confiance que cette prestation réduira la pauvreté chez les personnes handicapées? Pourquoi êtes-vous de cet avis?

§ Dans quelle mesure la réduction de la pauvreté chez les personnes handicapées devrait-elle être une priorité pour le gouvernement du Canada, le cas échéant? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

· De quelle façon la Prestation canadienne d’invalidité pourrait-elle contribuer à promouvoir l’égalité et l’inclusion en faveur des personnes handicapées?

· Pensez-vous que la Prestation canadienne d’invalidité pourrait avoir un impact sur l’économie? Cet impact serait-il positif ou négatif?

· De tous les impacts dont nous avons discuté, quel est celui que vous considérez comme le plus important? Pourquoi?

LANGUES OFFICIELLES (50 minutes) Anglophones du Québec

· Depuis combien de temps vivez-vous au Québec?

o Diriez-vous que la communauté dans laquelle vous vivez est majoritairement francophone ou anglophone?

· Avez-vous pu bénéficier de certaines ouvertures ou eu à faire face à des difficultés en tant qu’anglophone vivant au Québec? Lesquelles?

o En matière d’emploi, d’éducation, de soins de santé ou d’accès à d’autres services publics ou privés

§ Quel impact votre langue a-t-elle en matière d’emploi, d’éducation, de soins de santé ou d’accès à d’autres services privés ou publics?

§ Et en ce qui concerne votre sentiment d’inclusion et d’appartenance?

· Votre expérience de la vie au Québec en tant qu’anglophone a-t-elle évolué au fil du temps?

o SI OUI : En quoi a-t-elle changé?

o Quels impacts ces changements ont-ils eus sur votre vie?

§ SI IMPACTS NÉGATIFS : Qu’est-ce qui pourrait être fait, le cas échéant, pour améliorer la situation?

o Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il un rôle à jouer à cet égard?

§ SI OUI : Quel devrait être son rôle?

§ Quels impacts pourrait selon vous avoir le gouvernement du Canada?

o Comment croyez-vous que cet enjeu évoluera à l’avenir, le cas échéant?

· Comment qualifieriez-vous vos compétences en français?

o POUR CEUX QUI NE PARLENT PAS COURAMMENT LE FRANÇAIS : Apprendre le français est-il quelque chose que vous souhaitez et pouvez faire? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

§ Existe-t-il suffisamment d’aides, de ressources et de possibilités vous permettant d’apprendre le français? Pourquoi êtes-vous de cet avis?

· Quels sont certains des droits dont jouissent les « communautés minoritaires de langue officielle », comme les communautés francophones hors Québec et les communautés anglophones au Québec?

· Selon vous, les langues française et anglaise sont-elles menacées quelque part au Canada? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

o SI OUI : En quoi sont-elles menacées?

· Quelle priorité le gouvernement du Canada devrait-il accorder, le cas échéant, au soutien des langues française et anglaise au Canada?

o Comment cela se traduirait-il selon vous?

· Diriez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada est sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie en ce qui concerne la protection et la promotion des droits des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire? Pourquoi êtes-vous de cet avis?

o SI SUR LA MAUVAISE VOIE : Que pourrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour se remettre sur la bonne voie?

· Avez-vous des suggestions sur la façon dont le gouvernement du Canada pourrait offrir un meilleur soutien aux communautés anglophones du Québec?

LOGEMENT (60-80 minutes) Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver

Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Lorsque vous avez été recruté(e) pour participer à ce groupe de discussion, vous avez indiqué que vous louez actuellement le logement dans lequel vous vivez ou que vous envisagez de louer un logement prochainement. Puis-je rapidement vérifier auprès de vous, par un vote à main levée :

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Combien d’entre vous êtes actuellement locataires?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Combien d’entre vous êtes à la recherche d’un logement à louer?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver QUESTIONS À POSER À CHACUN DES PARTICIPANTS : Quand prévoyez-vous d’emménager dans votre logement locatif?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Comment décririez-vous la situation du logement au sein de votre collectivité? Et la situation en matière de location plus précisément?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Quels sont les défis les plus importants en matière de location au sein de votre collectivité? DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Abordabilité, qualité, offre

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Selon vous, qu’est-ce qui a contribué au manque d’options abordables en matière de location au sein de votre collectivité?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Diriez-vous que la situation en matière de logement et sur le marché locatif a empiré, s’est améliorée ou est demeurée la même au cours des dernières années? QUESTIONS À POSER POUR S’ASSURER DE COUVRIR L’ABORDABILITÉ :

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver SI EMPIRÉE/AMÉLIORÉE : Qu’est-ce qui explique ces changements?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Qu’est-ce qui pourrait contribuer à améliorer la situation?

§ Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver En ce qui concerne plus particulièrement l’abordabilité, que faut-il faire, le cas échéant, pour améliorer l’accès à des logements locatifs abordables à Vancouver?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Combien de temps pensez-vous qu’il faudra pour résoudre les problèmes liés à l’inaccessibilité des logements locatifs à prix abordables à Vancouver?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver À qui la responsabilité de relever les défis dont nous avons discuté en matière de location revient-elle principalement? DEMANDER : Le gouvernement fédéral, le gouvernement provincial ou votre administration municipale? Pourquoi?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Qui est le mieux placé pour traiter ces questions? DEMANDER : Le gouvernement fédéral, le gouvernement provincial ou votre administration municipale? Pourquoi?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver À votre connaissance, le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il fait quoi que ce soit pour résoudre les problèmes auxquels sont confrontés les locataires?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Que devrait faire le gouvernement du Canada, le cas échéant, pour soutenir les locataires?

· Centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu au sujet des politiques du gouvernement du Canada en matière de logement?

· Centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Quels sont les principaux problèmes en matière de logement auxquels le gouvernement du Canada devrait remédier? Pourquoi faut-il prioriser ces problèmes?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et si la solution passait par la construction de nouveaux logements?

· Centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Qui est le mieux placé pour remédier à ces problèmes? Pourquoi? DEMANDER : Le gouvernement fédéral, le gouvernement provincial ou votre administration municipale?

· Centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario À votre connaissance, le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il fait quelque chose pour résoudre les problèmes auxquels sont confrontés les locataires?

· Centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Le cas échéant, que devrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour soutenir les locataires?

Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario MONTRER À L’ÉCRAN

En 2020, dans le cadre de la Stratégie nationale pour le logement, le gouvernement du Canada a mis en place l’Allocation canadienne pour logement, afin d’aider les locataires à faible revenu à faire face au coût du logement. Les locataires à faibles revenus reçoivent cette prestation chaque mois; le montant varie selon la province. En 2022, le gouvernement du Canada a annoncé qu’un complément à l’Allocation canadienne pour le logement serait mis à la disposition des locataires à faible revenu résidant au Canada, lesquels pourraient recevoir un paiement unique de 500 $.

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Que pensez-vous de cette mesure?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Avant aujourd’hui, connaissiez-vous l’Allocation canadienne pour le logement?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Saviez-vous qu’il s’agissait d’une prestation mensuelle?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Cette mesure est-elle sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie pour ce qui est de rendre la location plus abordable?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario [Quelles autres/y a-t-il d’autres] mesures [aimeriez-vous/voudriez-vous] que le gouvernement du Canada prenne pour soutenir les locataires?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Espérez-vous devenir propriétaire un jour?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver SI NON : Pourquoi pas?

o Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver SI OUI : Quelle est la probabilité que vous deveniez un jour propriétaire?

· Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu au sujet des politiques du gouvernement du Canada [en matière de logement/visant à rendre l’accession à la propriété plus accessible pour les acheteurs d’une première propriété]?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Quels sont les principales problématiques en matière de logement auxquelles le gouvernement du Canada devrait remédier? Pourquoi faut-il prioriser ces problèmes?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Serait-ce d’aider les Canadiens à acheter leur première maison?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : Et si la solution passait par la construction de nouveaux logements?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Selon vous, quels sont les principaux obstacles à l’achat de votre première maison?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Que pourrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour vous aider à vous offrir votre première maison?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Que faut-il encore faire pour que le marché du logement au Canada devienne plus accessible?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Pour ce qui est de favoriser l’accession à la propriété pour les acheteurs d’une première maison, le gouvernement du Canada est-il dans l’ensemble sur la bonne ou la mauvaise voie? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Je vais maintenant vous montrer diverses initiatives que le gouvernement du Canada a prises dans le domaine du logement. [Ces initiatives se divisent en plusieurs catégories différentes, et nous allons les passer en revue une à une].

MONTRER À L’ÉCRAN :

· Mise en place du compte d’épargne libre d’impôt pour l’achat d’une première propriété permettant aux Canadiens d’épargner jusqu’à 40 000 dollars à l’abri de l’impôt destiné à les aider à acheter leur première propriété.

· L’incitatif à l’achat d’une première propriété, un prêt hypothécaire avec participation du gouvernement du Canada offrant 5 ou 10 % en mise de fond pour l’achat d’une première propriété;

· Prolongement de l’incitatif à l’achat d’une première propriété permettant une plus grande souplesse et une plus grande facilité d’accès pour les Canadiens vivant seuls.

· Doublement du crédit d’impôt pour les acheteurs d’une première propriété afin de procurer jusqu’à 1 500 dollars en soutien direct aux acheteurs d’une propriété en vue de compenser les coûts de clôture liés à l’achat d’une habitation.

· Investissement de 200 millions de dollars afin d’élaborer et de développer des projets de location avec option d’achat.

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Interdiction des offres à l’aveugle. (Les offres à l’aveugle empêchent les acheteurs éventuels de connaître l’offre d’autres acheteurs).

· Que pensez-vous de chacune de ces mesures?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Parmi les mesures figurant sur cette liste, y en a-t-il que vous ne connaissiez pas?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Avez-vous des questions concernant l’une ou l’autre de ces mesures?

· Centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Ces [initiatives/mesures] visant à faciliter l’accès à la propriété sont-elles sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie? Pourriez-vous profiter de l’une ou l’autre de ces mesures personnellement?

o Est-ce également le cas pour le nouveau compte d’épargne libre d’impôt pour l’achat d’une première propriété?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS : Le nouveau compte d’épargne libre d’impôt pour l’achat d’une première propriété permet aux acheteurs potentiels d’une première propriété d’épargner [jusqu’à] 40 000 dollars à l’abri de l’impôt. [À l’instar du Régime enregistré d’épargne-retraite (REER), les cotisations seront déductibles d’impôt, et les retraits effectués pour l’achat d’une première propriété, y compris à partir de revenus d’investissement, ne seront pas imposables, comme dans le cas d’un Compte d’épargne libre d’impôt (CELI). Il n’y a aucun impôt à payer sur les cotisations et aucun impôt à payer sur les retraits.

· Croyez-vous pouvoir personnellement profiter de ces mesures? Profiteraient-elles aux acheteurs d’une première propriété en général?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Avez-vous des questions concernant l’une ou l’autre de ces mesures?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de moyenne taille de l’Ontario Y a-t-il quelque chose [dans cette section] [que le gouvernement du Canada ne devrait pas faire?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Que devrait encore faire le gouvernement du Canada pour soutenir les acheteurs d’une première propriété?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Croyez-vous que soutenir les acheteurs d’une première propriété constitue une priorité du gouvernement du Canada? Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Passons à la construction d’un plus grand nombre de logements…

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu au sujet des mesures prises ou prévues par le gouvernement du Canada pour encourager la construction d’un plus grand nombre de logements?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Qu’avez-vous vu, lu ou entendu à propos du Fonds pour accélérer la construction de logements?

ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS : Le Fonds pour accélérer la construction de logements est un fonds de 4 milliards de dollars destiné à encourager les autorités municipales à prendre des mesures pour accroître l’offre de logements au niveau local.

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Que pensez-vous de cette mesure?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Quel impact pensez-vous qu’un fond comme celui-ci aura?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Seriez-vous pour ou contre une augmentation de l’offre de logements dans votre région?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Les municipalités qui n’accordent pas la priorité à la construction d’un nombre suffisant de logements devraient-elles se voir imposer des mesures conséquentes? Pourquoi?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Quelles mesures conséquentes conviendrait-il, selon vous, d’imposer?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Avez-vous de quelconques préoccupations quant à l’accélération de la construction de logements au sein de votre collectivité?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Quelles sont-elles?

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Qui parmi vous sait en quoi consiste le zonage municipal? ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS : Un règlement municipal de zonage contrôle l’aménagement du territoire dans votre collectivité. Il est adopté par des administrations municipales et définit précisément comment les terrains peuvent être utilisés, où des bâtiments et autres structures peuvent être situés, quels types de bâtiments sont autorisés et comment ils peuvent être utilisés.

Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver MONTRER À L’ÉCRAN :

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Interdiction des offres à l’aveugle (les offres à l’aveugle empêchent les acheteurs éventuels de connaître l’offre d’autres acheteurs).

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver L’interdiction aux non-Canadiens d’acheter des propriétés résidentielles au Canada pour une période de deux ans (aussi connue sous le nom d’interdiction d’achats immobiliers par des étrangers) pour s’assurer que les habitations servent de demeure à des Canadiens plutôt que de constituer des avoirs financiers pour des investisseurs étrangers;

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Instauration d’un impôt sur la revente précipitée d’une propriété pour dissuader les investisseurs d’acheter en masse des propriétés dans le but de les revendre rapidement à un prix plus élevé;

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Taxe sur la cession d’un contrat de vente relativement à des habitations nouvellement construites ou ayant fait l’objet de rénovations afin de dissuader les spéculateurs d’acheter des habitations qu’ils laisseront ensuite inhabitées (la cession d’un contrat de vente implique qu’un vendeur vende ses droits relatifs à une propriété avant que l’acheteur en prenne possession).

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Création d’un nouveau Fonds de 4 milliards de dollars pour accélérer la construction de logements afin d’éliminer les obstacles et stimuler la croissance de l’offre de logements, avec pour objectif de créer au moins 100 000 nouveaux d’un bout à l’autre du pays.

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver, centres de taille moyenne de l’Ontario Quels pourraient être, selon vous, les éventuels impacts, le cas échéant, de [la réglementation municipale en matière de zonage sur la construction de nouvelles habitations/chacune de ces mesures]? [L’une ou l’autre de ces mesures vous toucheraient-elle personnellement?]

· Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Pensez-vous qu’il faille encourager les municipalités à modifier leur zonage pour permettre la construction d’un plus grand nombre de logements au sein de leurs collectivités? Pourquoi?

o Acheteurs d’une première maison du secteur de l’intérieur de la Colombie-Britannique Même si ces changements rendaient votre quartier plus compact et densément peuplé?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Y a-t-il quelque chose figurant dans cette section que le gouvernement du Canada ne devrait pas faire?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Avez-vous des questions concernant l’une ou l’autre de ces mesures?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Ces mesures contribueront-elles à rendre les logements du marché locatif de Vancouver plus abordables? Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

· Locataires et personnes à la recherche d’un logement locatif à Vancouver Qu’attendez-vous d’autre de la part du gouvernement du Canada en ce qui concerne [la construction de nouveaux logements]?

TARIFICATION DU CARBONE (40 minutes) Régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse

· À quel point est-il important pour le gouvernement du Canada de réduire la pollution par le carbone au Canada? Pourquoi?

· Qu’avez-vous lu, vu ou entendu, le cas échéant, au sujet de la tarification du carbone au Canada?

· À votre connaissance, existe-t-il [actuellement] une tarification du carbone en Nouvelle-Écosse?

· Avez-vous entendu parler des paiements de l’Incitatif à agir pour le climat, parfois appelés remises de la tarification de la pollution?

o Qu’avez-vous entendu dire à ce sujet?

o À votre connaissance, est-ce que vous ou une autre personne de votre ménage avez reçu ce paiement?

En 2016, le gouvernement du Canada a annoncé un plan visant à assurer la tarification de la pollution par le carbone dans l’ensemble du pays. La tarification du carbone comprend deux parties — une redevance sur les combustibles et un système pour les industries. Aujourd’hui, nous nous concentrerons sur la redevance sur les combustibles qui s’applique entre autres au pétrole et au gaz. Les provinces et les territoires peuvent soit appliquer la tarification fédérale sur la pollution ou proposer leurs propres systèmes, pour autant qu’il respecte la norme établie par le gouvernement fédéral.

· Quelles sont vos réactions lorsque vous entendez cela?

o êtes-vous en faveur de la tarification sur la pollution par le carbone? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

À compter du 1er juillet 2023, la Nouvelle-Écosse a commencé à utiliser le système de tarification fédéral. En vertu de ce système, tous les produits issus de la tarification de la pollution par le carbone restent dans la province ou le territoire dans laquelle ou dans lequel ils ont été perçus. 90 % des produits sont retournés directement aux résidents sous forme de paiement de l’Incitatif à agir pour le climat. Les paiements seront versés trimestriellement (c’est-à-dire tous les trois mois), et une famille de 4 personnes recevra 248 dollars par trimestre.

Ce système a pour but d’encourager les gens à réduire leurs émissions, tout en leur donnant la possibilité de décider quand et comment le faire. L’idée étant que plus un ménage procède à des changements (par exemple, en utilisant d’autres modes de transport, en passant d’une fournaise au gaz naturel à une pompe à chaleur électrique), plus il économisera en n’ayant pas à payer la redevance sur les combustibles. En outre, la plupart des ménages reçoivent plus d’argent sous forme de paiements de l’Incitatif à agir pour le climat que ce qu’ils paient en vertu de la redevance sur les combustibles.

· Dans l’ensemble, cette approche de la tarification de la pollution est-elle sensée? Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

o Avez-vous des questions sur son fonctionnement? Quelles sont-elles?

o Ce système vous semble-t-il juste? Vous semble-t-il abordable?

Pour les résidents de petites collectivités et de collectivités rurales, les paiements de l’incitation à l’action climatique comprennent un supplément rural de 10 % (c’est-à-dire un supplément de 10 % à leurs paiements), car les Canadiens de ces collectivités ne disposent pas nécessairement des mêmes options pour réduire leurs émissions, en particulier en matière de transport.

· Le fait de savoir cela change-t-il votre opinion sur la tarification de la pollution par le carbone? Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

· Cette approche de la tarification de la pollution est-elle équitable à l’égard des Canadiens vivant dans des collectivités rurales et de petite taille? Pourquoi/pourquoi pas?

· Croyez-vous qu’un prix sur la pollution par le carbone découragera les gens de polluer? Pourquoi/pourquoi pas? Vous découragera-t-il personnellement de polluer?

o Quels autres effets, le cas échéant, un prix sur la pollution pourrait-il avoir sur les Canadiens?

o À court terme, pensez-vous que les coûts d’une tarification de la pollution par le carbone sont plus importants que les coûts du changement climatique pour les collectivités? Pourquoi?

o Et à long terme?

· Compte tenu de ce que vous savez maintenant, si vous deviez expliquer la tarification de la pollution et le paiement de l’Incitatif à agir pour le climat à un ami, que lui diriez-vous?

MARCHÉ DE L’EMPLOI (20 minutes) Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie Québec

• Comment évalueriez-vous la situation sur le marché de l’emploi à l’heure actuelle? Est-elle bonne, mauvaise ou entre les deux? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

o Dans quelle mesure a-t-il été facile de vous trouver un emploi dans le domaine qui vous intéresse?

o En tant que mère au travail, avez-vous été confrontée à des difficultés ou à des obstacles lorsque vous cherchiez un emploi ou pendant que vous travailliez? Si oui, quels ont été ces difficultés et ces obstacles?

• En pensant à ce que sera la situation sur le marché de l’emploi dans cinq ans, pensez-vous qu’elle sera pire, meilleure ou la même? Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

o En quoi la situation de l’emploi dans cinq ans pourrait-elle être différente de ce qu’elle est aujourd’hui?

o En prenant en compte ces changements potentiels quant à l’avenir du travail, cela influence-t-il la façon dont vous percevez vos propres perspectives d’emploi?

· SI OUI : De quelle façon?

· SI NON : Pourquoi pas?

• Diriez-vous que le gouvernement du Canada est sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie en ce qui concerne la création d’emplois de qualité au Canada? Et en ce qui concerne le soutien aux travailleurs?

• Avez-vous connaissance de ce que fait le gouvernement du Canada pour aider à créer des emplois, à fournir des formations axées sur des compétences ou pour soutenir les travailleurs?

o Que devrait faire le gouvernement du Canada pour aider?

PARENTS – COÛT DE LA VIE (40 minutes) Mères au travail âgées de 25 à 54 ans de la Montérégie Québec

• En ce qui concerne le gouvernement du Canada, comment décririez-vous généralement sa gestion de l’économie?

o Est-il généralement sur la bonne voie ou sur la mauvaise voie? Pourquoi?

• En tant que mère au travail, quels enjeux économiques vous préoccupent le plus et ont le plus d’impact sur vous?

o Le gouvernement du Canada comprend-il les enjeux économiques qui vous préoccupent le plus et qui ont le plus d’impact sur vous? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

o DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Qu’en est-il de l’abordabilité et du coût de la vie?

• Que fait le gouvernement du Canada face à l’augmentation du coût de la vie?

• Pouvez-vous me donner des exemples de choses qui sont devenues moins abordables dans votre vie de tous les jours?

o DEMANDER AU BESOIN : Qu’en est-il des épiceries et de l’essence?

o Avez-vous modifié certaines de vos habitudes quotidiennes en réaction à l’augmentation du coût de la vie?

• Qu’avez-vous récemment vu, lu ou entendu au sujet de ce que fait le gouvernement du Canada pour aider à faire face au coût des produits d’épicerie?

o Quelles sont vos réactions à ce que vous avez entendu?

• À votre avis, qu’est-ce qui provoque l’augmentation des prix?

• Que peut faire le gouvernement face à l’augmentation du coût de la vie?

• Êtes-vous au courant de quelconques politiques, programmes, services, prestations ou allocations du gouvernement du Canada dont bénéficient les parents?

• Qui parmi vous a entendu parler de…?

o L’Allocation canadienne pour enfants

o La Prestation dentaire canadienne

o SI ENTENDU PARLER : Que savez-vous de chaque programme?

MENTIONNER : L’Allocation canadienne pour enfants (ACE) est un programme de soutien du revenu pour les familles canadiennes, calculé en fonction des moyens financiers. Il s’agit d’un versement mensuel non imposable fait aux familles admissibles pour les aider à subvenir aux besoins de leurs enfants. L’ACE est indexée en fonction de l’inflation.

MENTIONNER : Le gouvernement du Canada met en œuvre la Prestation dentaire canadienne (PDC) pour aider à réduire les coûts des soins dentaires pour les familles admissibles dont le revenu est inférieur à 90 000 $.

• Quelles sont vos réactions à cette information?

o Y a-t-il quelque chose dont vous n’étiez pas au courant auparavant?

o Avez-vous des questions concernant l’un ou I'autre de ces programmes?

• Pour ce qui est de rendre le coût de la vie plus abordable, dans quelle mesure ces programmes auront-ils un impact, le cas échéant, sur vous et votre famille?

o Diriez-vous que l’Allocation canadienne pour enfants et la Prestation dentaire canadienne sont des mesures importantes quant à rendre la vie plus abordable pour les parents? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

• Que devrait encore faire le gouvernement du Canada pour aider à soutenir les mères au travail?

SÉCURITÉ COMMUNAUTAIRE (25 minutes) Diaspora philippine de centres de taille moyenne et de grands centres des Prairies (Manitoba et Saskatchewan)

J’aimerais maintenant discuter des enjeux communautaires de façon plus générale.

• Direz-vous que votre communauté est sécuritaire? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

• D’après ce que vous savez, le taux de criminalité dans votre communauté a-t-il augmenté, diminué ou s’il est demeuré stable?

o S’IL A AUGMENTÉ : Qu’avez-vous remarqué plus particulièrement?

§ À quoi attribuez-vous la hausse de la criminalité? Quelles sont les causes?

· À qui revient principalement la responsabilité de lutter contre la criminalité?

o Quel est le rôle du gouvernement du Canada en matière de lutte contre la criminalité?

• Le gouvernement du Canada a-t-il fait quoi que ce soit dans les dernières années pour lutter contre la criminalité? Fait-il quelque chose maintenant?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : A-t-il fait quelque chose en matière de contrôle des armes à feu?

§ SI AU COURANT : Que pensez-vous de ces initiatives?

o SI CE N’EST PAS MENTIONNÉ : A-t-il fait quelque chose pour réduire les activités et la violence des gangs?

• Pouvez-vous penser à d’autres choses que le gouvernement du Canada pourrait faire pour prévenir la criminalité?

o DEMANDER : Devrait-il offrir plus de services en santé mentale? De services de traitement en toxicomanie? Des logements?

o Ces initiatives auraient-elles un impact? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

o Devraient-elles être une priorité pour le gouvernement fédéral?

IMPACTS DU CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE (25 minutes) Centres de petite taille du Québec

Je voudrais maintenant parler du changement climatique…

· Dans quelle mesure êtes-vous préoccupé(e), le cas échéant, par le changement climatique? Pourquoi dites-vous cela?

· Qu’est-ce qui vous vient à l’esprit lorsque vous pensez aux effets potentiels du changement climatique?

o Le changement climatique a-t-il des impacts sur des éléments comme l’agriculture, la faune et la flore et entraîne-t-il des conditions météorologiques extrêmes, des températures extrêmes, des inondations, des sécheresses ou des incendies de forêt?

o SI OUI : À votre connaissance, quels sont ces impacts?

o SI NON : Qu’est-ce qui vous fait dire cela?

· Dans quelle mesure les impacts potentiels du changement climatique sur votre collectivité vous préoccupent-ils?

· Avez-vous constaté de quelconques impacts du changement climatique au sein de votre collectivité?

o SI OUI : Qu’avez-vous constaté?

• Est-il important que le gouvernement fédéral aide les collectivités à se préparer aux impacts du changement climatique?

o Avez-vous entendu parler de ce que fait le gouvernement fédéral à cet égard?

§ Que voudriez-vous qu’il fasse?

CONNAISSANCES EN MATIÈRE DE CLIMAT (30 minutes) Centres de petite taille du Québec

· Croyez-vous que chaque personne a son rôle à jouer pour ralentir le changement climatique?

NOTE AU MODÉRATEUR : Passer rapidement sur cette question.

· Quels sont les gestes que vous pourriez poser pour ralentir le changement climatique?

o DEMANDER : Ces gestes peuvent être liés à la nourriture, aux transports, à l’utilisation de l’énergie chez soi, aux produits que nous achetons, à la manière dont nous nous débarrassons de nos déchets, etc.

· Quels sont les gestes les plus faciles à poser? Pourquoi?

· Quels sont les gestes les plus difficiles à poser? Pourquoi?

o DEMANDER : Est-ce de ne pas savoir quels gestes poser?

o DEMANDER : Est-ce de ne pas avoir les moyens de poser ces gestes?

o DEMANDER : Est-ce de n’avoir aucune option écoresponsable accessible?

· Au cours des six prochains mois, avez-vous l’intention de poser plus, moins ou autant de gestes écoresponsables que maintenant? Pourquoi?

· Si vous aviez, en tant que personne, une quantité illimitée de ressources, que feriez-vous pour contribuer au ralentissement du changement climatique?

o Pourquoi?

· À quel point croyez-vous que d’autres personnes au Canada posent des gestes pour ralentir le changement climatique?

· Si vous saviez que d’autres personnes posaient des gestes écoresponsables, seriez-vous tenté d’en faire autant? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

· À main levée, combien d’entre vous pensent que leurs actions individuelles peuvent avoir un effet positif sur le changement climatique? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

· À main levée, combien d’entre vous sont d’accord pour dire que regroupées, nos actions peuvent avoir un effet positif sur le changement climatique? Pourquoi ou pourquoi pas?

· Quels types d’actions ont le plus d’effets positifs sur le changement climatique?

· Quelles actions trouvez-vous les moins efficaces?

CONCLUSION (5 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.

· Région du Grand Toronto, membres de la communauté 2ELGBTQI+ des principaux centres de la Colombie-Britannique Le modérateur ou la modératrice rappellera aux participants que nous leur enverrons un courriel de suivi contenant une liste de ressources en santé mentale.