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 actions and initiatives were recalled, including the
tabling of the 2023 federal budget, public service labour
disruptions related to strike action by the Public Service Alliance
of Canada (PSAC), the decision by the Government of Canada to raise
the federal minimum wage as of April 1st, 2023, an
announcement by the Bank of Canada that it would be maintaining
interest rates at 4.5%, the resumption of the Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA) of debt recovery activities for those with outstanding
balances on their accounts, and ongoing investigations into alleged
interference by China in recent Canadian federal elections.
Participants also recalled actions and initiatives related to the
Government of Canada on the international stage. These included
ongoing financial and military assistance for Ukraine, the temporary
suspension of Canadian diplomatic operations in Sudan due to
escalating violence and civil unrest in the country, and the
participation of the Prime Minister in the Global Citizen NOW summit
focusing on finding long-term strategies to address pressing issues
such as climate change, food insecurity, and gender inequality
throughout the world.
News Consumption (Major Centres Quebec Frequent Media Consumers,
Mid-Size and Major Centres Quebec)
Two groups based in Quebec engaged in a brief conversation related
to their news consumption habits. Asked which sources they would
typically use to receive news, participants in both groups cited
televised sources such as TVA, written outlets including La Presse
and Le Journal de Montreal, and radio outlets such as Radio Canada.
A number also reported utilizing social media platforms such as
Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as receiving information
via word of mouth from friends, family, and colleagues. Discussing
how they would typically go about determining whether the news they
were reading was trustworthy, many indicated that they would seek to
determine whether the information could be verified elsewhere, as
well as ensure that there was not any potential bias on the part of
the journalist or news organization. Questioned where they would
look to find news and information specifically related to the
Government of Canada, most cited official sources such as federally
operated websites, verified accounts on platforms such as LinkedIn,
and trusted outlets such as Radio Canada and La Presse.
Budget 2023 Initiatives (Major Centres Saskatchewan and Manitoba)
One group engaged in a longer conversation related to initiatives
announced as part of the 2023 federal budget. While none could
initially recall any actions or initiatives included in the budget,
when prompted several reported having heard about the announcement
of a one-time Grocery Rebate to assist lower-income Canadians
currently struggling with the cost of living. While expecting that
this would likely be helpful for some households in the short-term,
it was widely thought that this measure would not have much of a
long-term impact towards assisting Canadians with the cost living.
Asked whether they had heard about the announcement of expanded
eligibility for the new Canada Dental Benefit (CDB), a number
indicated that they had. Almost all felt that this was an important
initiative, even if they would not personally benefit from it.
Quebec Bridge (Québec City Working Seniors)
One group took part in a brief discussion regarding the Quebec
Bridge. Asked whether they had seen, read, or heard anything related
to the bridge, while a few were of the impression that it was in
need of maintenance and repainting, none could recall any specific
details. Asked who they believed was responsible for the Québec
Bridge, several were of the impression that it was owned and
operated by the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and that CN
was primarily responsible for the continued maintenance of the
bridge. All felt that the bridge was important to Quebec, and
believed that it remained critical for facilitating road, rail, and
pedestrian transportation within the province. Asked whether the
federal government should consider acquiring the bridge from CN,
almost all responded positively to this idea, viewing the bridge as
vital to Quebec’s infrastructure and economy.
Government of Canada Priorities and Performance (All Locations)
All groups engaged in discussions related to numerous issues
currently facing Canadians as well as their perspectives regarding
the federal government’s performance in managing these priorities.
Asked to identify areas where they felt that the federal government
had performed well as of late, participants provided a range of
responses. These included the affordability and perceived high
quality of Canadian health care services, the provision of benefits
and supports such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and Employment
Insurance (EI), federal actions to address priorities such as
climate change, the prioritization of diversity and inclusiveness in
Canadian society, increasing immigration rates, international
assistance to countries such as Ukraine, and actions towards further
reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Participants also identified a range of areas in which they felt
that the Government of Canada had room for improvement. These
included health care accessibility and long wait times for emergency
services, inflation and the high cost of living, perceived shortages
of teachers and other types of educators at the primary and
secondary level, the growing national deficit, and perceived
backlogs in processing important documents such as immigration and
passport applications.
Asked to identify the areas which they felt were most in need of
prioritization by the Government of Canada going forward, a large
number reiterated concerns about inflation and the rising cost of
living. It was thought that further action needed to be taken by the
federal government to make life more affordable for Canadians in
areas such as groceries, fuel, housing, cellular rates, and other
essential areas. Many also mentioned the need to focus on improving
the health care system, including reducing wait times, making it
easier for non-Canadian doctors and nurses to practice in Canada,
and investing further into areas such as mental health. Other areas
identified by participants included infrastructure improvements for
roads and highways, the need to expand public transit systems,
increased resources for areas such as education and law enforcement,
and addressing ongoing issues related to climate change and
reconciliation.
Public Transportation (G.T.A. Public Transit Users)
Participants residing in the Greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.) took part
in a brief discussion related to public transit. All reported that
they utilized public transit on a regular basis. Asked which level
of government they believed was responsible for public transit, most
were of the impression that this was primarily a provincial
responsibility. Discussing the role of the Government of Canada on
this front, a number were of the impression that federal funding was
frequently provided towards building new public transit
infrastructure, as well as improving and maintaining existing
systems. Asked which objectives were most important for the federal
government to focus on related to public transit, a large number
believed there needed to be a greater focus on increasing the
accessibility of these services. Additionally, it was felt that
public transit needed to be made more affordable and that increased
discounts should be provided to lower income Canadians who relied
upon public transit throughout their daily activities. A number also
felt that there needed to be an increased focus on safety on public
transit, believing there to have been a considerable increase in
instances of harassment and/or violent crime on trains and buses in
recent years.
Asked how important they felt it was for the federal government to
make investments towards electrifying public transit, participants
were mixed in their reactions. While some felt it was important to
reduce emissions wherever possible, a roughly equal number were of
the view that this would only have a minimal impact on the fight
against climate change. A small number expressed the opinion that
rather than focus on electrifying ground transportation such as
buses, greater investments should be made towards expanding the
capacity and reach of subway lines, believing these systems to be
more energy efficient in the long run.
Official Languages (Mid-Size and Major Centres Quebec)
One group, comprised of participants residing in Quebec, engaged in
a conversation related to Canada’s official languages and the
protection and promotion of the French language throughout Canada.
Most felt this to be an important priority for the Government of
Canada to focus on, believing that outside of Quebec there were far
fewer French language supports and resources compared to those
available to English-speaking Canadians. Asked whether they felt the
Government of Canada was headed in the right direction on this issue
(both within Quebec as well as throughout the rest of the country),
a roughly equal number believed it was compared to those who were
more uncertain or felt they did not know enough information to have
an opinion. Very few thought that the federal government was headed
in the wrong direction. Discussing further actions that the federal
government could take to support the French language in Canada,
several believed that greater resources should be invested towards
the training of French-speaking educators outside of Quebec as well
as increased accessibility to French-language services in all
Canadian communities.
Presented with a number of priorities related to official languages
and asked to select those which they felt would be most impactful,
the goals of increasing funding for schools for Francophone
communities outside of Quebec and making investments towards
improving access to French immersion and French second-language
programs across the country were viewed as the most important for
the Government of Canada to focus on. Several also felt that it was
critical for the Government of Canada to focus on guaranteeing the
equality of the English and French languages in Canada as well as
ensuring that every Canadian, when before a court, could be heard
and understood by a judge in the official language of their choice.
Economic Outlook (Major Centres Ontario Financial Sector Workers)
Participants in the group comprised of financial sector workers
residing in Ontario were asked a few additional questions regarding
their outlook and expectations related to the Canadian economy. Most
believed the economy to be experiencing significant challenges at
present and felt that it had become increasing volatile and at risk
of entering into a recession in the near future. Sharing their
outlook for the Canadian economy over the next twelve months,
several expected that a large number of households would continue to
face financial pressures and that more businesses may begin pursuing
cost-cutting measures such as layoffs in the months to come.
Asked whether they felt that the federal government’s initiative to
provide universal $10 per day (on average) child care was important
towards driving economic growth, participants were mixed in their
views. A number expected that this would be economically beneficial,
believing that it would allow a greater number of parents (and
especially mothers) to return to the workforce as well as making it
easier for Canadian families to raise young children. Others,
however, expected that this initiative would only have a moderate
impact on the overall economy, believing that it primarily
benefitted those with young children rather than the broader
population. Questioned whether they thought that investments into
clean energy and technologies would have a positive impact on the
Canadian economy, most expected that any impact would be minimal.
The view was expressed that any economic growth in this sector would
likely be offset by the perceived significant upfront costs of
pursuing these investments.
Seniors (Quebec City Working Seniors)
One group took part in an additional discussion related to issues
facing Canadian seniors. All participants were 55 years of age or
older and were currently working. Asked to identify the most
important issues currently facing seniors, participants mentioned a
wide range of areas. Many raised concerns related to benefits for
seniors such as such as Old Age Security (OAS) and the Canada
Pension Plan (CPP). A number felt that the amounts offered via these
supports needed to be increased substantially to address the rising
cost of living. Several also identified issues related to housing
and the ability of Canadian seniors to access safe and affordable
housing. It was felt that more needed to be done to increase the
affordability of housing for seniors as well as to ensure that these
individuals had access to in-home supports such as personal support
workers (PSWs).
All thought that the Government of Canada was currently headed in
the wrong direction when it came to addressing the cost of living
for seniors. Related to the cost of housing specifically, it was
believed that the federal government needed to take increased action
towards developing housing subsidies and affordable housing options
specifically targeted towards seniors, especially for those living
on fixed incomes. All reported that the high cost of living at
present had impacted their retirement plans. A number were concerned
that they would have to return to work at some point after retiring
while others expected that they would have to delay their retirement
plans by at least a few years due to the need for increased savings.
Budget 2023 (Major Centres Alberta, Northern Ontario)
Two groups engaged in conversations related to the 2023 federal
budget, which was tabled on March 28th, 2023. Only a
small number reported being aware of the budget’s tabling, and very
few indicated that they had watched its announcement live. Asked to
describe the theme and/or focus of the budget, participants
identified areas such as health care, clean energy, reconciliation
with Indigenous peoples, and the expansion of the Canada Dental
Benefit (CDB). Informed that the priorities of Budget 2023 were to
help make life more affordable for Canadians, to improve Canada’s
publicly funded health care systems, and to grow the clean economy,
almost all reacted positively. It was widely felt that these areas
represented the most pressing concerns for Canadians and required a
high level of attention from the federal government. Asked whether
they thought the Government of Canada was on the right track when it
came to addressing these priorities, participants were largely mixed
in their responses. It was felt by many that while the federal
government had been making increased efforts to address these issues
as of late, there had been little in the way of tangible progress on
any of these fronts.
Participants next took part in an exercise where they were presented
with a list of measures that were announced as part of the budget
and asked to select which they felt would be the most impactful. The
initiatives shown to those in the group based in Alberta focused on
the priority of making life more affordable for Canadians. Among the
measures shown to participants, the initiatives to crack down on
junk fees and limit predatory lending practices received the highest
level of support. The initiative to increase the federal portion of
student grants by 40% also received a high level of approval, with a
number commenting that this would likely make pursuing
post-secondary education more affordable and increase the economic
opportunities available to Canadians as a result. The provision of a
one-time Grocery Rebate for lower income households was only met
with limited support, with some of the opinion that it would do
little to address long-term affordability issues. Only a small
number selected the launching of the new Tax-Free First Home Savings
Account (FHSA) and the implementation of a right to repair.
Those residing in Northern Ontario were presented with a list of
measures related to the priority of making improvements to Canada’s
publicly funded health care systems. Participants reacted most
positively to the Government of Canada’s initiative to move forward
with new funding agreements with the provinces/territories to
address shortages of doctors and nurses and to shorten wait times
for emergency services and diagnostic tests. Several also spoke of
the importance of the measure to address the opioid crisis through
the funding of treatment programs as well as an increased number of
harm-reduction initiatives. Safeguarding access to abortion and
other sexual and reproductive services as well as expanding
eligibility to the CDB were also viewed as important actions by
several participants. Only a small number selected the initiatives
to modernize the health care system through better data collection
and expand eligibility for loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses
who choose to work in rural or remote communities.
Both groups were also presented with information regarding a pair of
priorities related to the objective of growing the clean economy.
These included the creation of a new tax credit to support the
manufacturing of clean technologies as well as the creation of a
credit to encourage investments that build out Canada’s clean
electricity across the country. Focusing first on the creation of a
new tax credit to support the manufacturing of clean technologies,
several were uncertain as to whether this would have an overall
positive impact. While some were hopeful that this would lead to the
creation of high paying jobs and increased activity in the mining
sector, a number felt differently. Several expressed uncertainty
regrading this initiative due to the perceived negative impact that
the mining of these critical minerals could have on the environment.
Describing what they expected would happen if the federal government
did not prioritize investments into clean technology, it was widely
felt that Canada would fall behind economically and environmentally
relative to its peers.
Discussing the tax credit to build up Canada’s clean energy grid,
while several felt that this initiative would lead to job creation
and economic growth in this sector, a number were uncertain as to
whether it would be environmentally beneficial as well. A few
expressed the view that the large amount of electricity generation
required for a large portion of Canadians to use technology such as
EVs would likely come with its own negative environmental impacts
and believed this action would not reduce emissions to a
considerable degree. Asked why they felt the Government of Canada
was prioritizing this action, many were of the impression that this
was where the global economy was headed and that to remain
competitive and compatible with its economic trading partners,
Canada would also have to make investments towards bolstering its
electrical grid.
Focusing on the budget as a whole, several expressed that the
measures they had discussed had improved their impressions of the
federal government’s overall aims. While it was generally felt that
the success of this budget would ultimately be determined by how
effectively these initiatives were implemented in the months to
come, most thought that the priority areas identified by the
Government of Canada were the right ones to be focusing on going
forward. Most believed that these initiatives, if fulfilled, would
have a vastly positive impact on the economy, environment, and the
overall health of Canadians.
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Branding
(Major Centres Alberta)
Participants in one group took part in a discussion related to the
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
and potential visual concepts and phrases designed to educate
Canadians about The Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11). Very
few reported being aware of CRTC and its mandate. Presented with a
visual concept currently under development by the CRTC related to
the Act, participants were mixed in their initial impressions.
Though the overall concept was thought by most to be positive,
friendly, and modern, a small number felt differently. Among these
participants it was thought that the combination of red, orange, and
green in some panels was visually unappealing and reminded them of a
traffic light. Additionally, the images depicting cameras were
described as restrictive and somewhat crowded compared to the images
without cameras, which were believed to evoke a greater sense of
community and free expression.
Focusing on the text accompanying the concept, participants were
presented with a list of potential phrases that could be used as
part of this campaign. Among these options, participants expressed
similar levels of support for Your stories your way,
A modern Broadcasting Act, and More stories your way.
No participants selected Our stories your way. For those who
favoured A modern Broadcasting Act, it was felt that this
slogan was the most straightforward and could help to address
potential concerns related to online censorship believed by
participants to be associated with The Online Streaming Act.
It was believed that Your Stories your way effectively
conveyed the message that this Act would help to amplify the content
that matters most to Canadians, while several thought that
More stories your way was the most progressive of the
options, and believed it spoke to the inclusion of more stories
reflecting the diversity of Canadian society and the importance of
showcasing a variety of perspectives.
Carbon Pricing (Northern Ontario, Small and Mid-Size Centres
Atlantic Canada)
Two groups engaged in a conversation related to the federal
government’s carbon pricing system. Asked whether they had seen,
read, or heard anything about carbon pricing in Canada, most
indicated that they had. While some spoke positively of the
introduction of a federal price on carbon, believing that it would
assist in encouraging more sustainable behaviours and decreasing
emissions, a roughly equal number were more negative in their
perspectives. Among these participants it was felt that the
implementation of a price on carbon had contributed to rising costs
for consumers, making it more difficult for some Canadians to afford
essential goods and services. Only a small number were aware of the
term ‘climate action incentive payment’. While some assumed this
referred to a payment provided to Canadians who engaged in more
sustainable behaviours, others were of the impression that it
primarily referred to rebates provided for actions such as the
installation of solar panels or the purchase of a zero-emission
vehicle (ZEV).
While most supported the federal government taking action to
encourage Canadians to reduce their carbon footprints and engage in
more sustainable behaviours, almost all believed that the carbon
pricing system was too complicated and did not expect that this
initiative would be effective in reducing emissions on a large
scale. Many expressed confusion as to why a significant portion of
the revenue collected under this program was being returned to
Canadians rather than being reinvested in sustainability initiatives
and/or grants for home retrofitting projects. Discussing whether
they believed that this initiative would have an impact on
addressing climate change, almost all participants felt that it
would not.
Climate Change (Nova Scotia Middle Class Parents, Northern British
Columbia)
Two groups engaged in conversations related to the environment and
climate change. These discussions centred on participant
perspectives regarding the actions individuals can take to be more
environmentally sustainable in their daily lives, as well as the
potential impacts of climate change and the adaptations required to
respond to this growing issue.
Climate Change Behaviours (Nova Scotia Middle Class Parents)
Those residing in Nova Scotia engaged in a discussion related to the
actions and behaviours individuals can take to be more
environmentally sustainable in their daily activities. Very few felt
that individuals had a responsibility to help fight climate change,
with several sharing the perspective that actions taken on the
individual level would likely have little to no impact given the
considerable size and scope of this issue. Asked to identify actions
or behaviours that individuals could engage in to help mitigate the
impacts of climate change, participant responses included recycling,
purchasing products with less packaging, carpooling, working from
home, or using active transportation methods such as cycling or
walking when possible. Discussing which actions related to climate
change they felt were most difficult to engage in, several cited the
high financial costs of many environmentally beneficial actions such
as home retrofitting projects, purchasing an electric vehicle (EV),
and choosing to consume locally grown and/or organic food.
Asked whether they felt that the majority of Canadians cared about
climate change, while some felt this to be the case, a roughly equal
number were of the view that most were currently not very concerned
about this issue. None thought that they cared more about climate
change than most other Canadians, with almost all believing that
their level of concern was similar to that of the majority of the
population. Questioned whether they felt that individual actions
performed collectively could have a positive impact on climate
change, while some believed this to be the case others strongly felt
that the focus instead needed to be on changing the practices of
major industrial emitters. Discussing the actions the Government of
Canada could take that would have the strongest positive impact on
addressing climate change, participants mentioned potential
initiatives such as tax incentives and grants for green energy
investment and home retrofitting projects, increased taxes and/or
penalties for corporate emissions, and the implementation of new
and/or additional taxes upon the wealthiest Canadians to fund clean
energy projects.
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (Northern British Columbia)
Participants from Northern British Columbia (B.C.) engaged in a
conversation related to the potential impacts of climate change and
the adaptations they expected would likely be required in response.
Asked whether they felt climate change was having a major, minor, or
no impact on their communities, all believed its impact to be
significant. All were concerned that climate change would continue
to have a major impact on their communities in the future. Concerns
were specifically raised regarding the potential reduced ability of
farmers to grow crops and resulting food insecurity, the increasing
cost of insurance against natural disasters, and potential mental
health challenges related to stress and anxiety of dealing with this
issue.
Discussing whether their communities were prepared to deal with the
impacts of climate change, many felt that they were not. Describing
potential measures that could be taken to improve their communities’
preparedness for the impacts of climate change, it was thought that
it would be of critical importance to build more resilient cellular
and internet networks. All felt that it was crucial for the federal
government to provide assistance to communities as they prepare to
confront the impacts of climate change. Provided with a list of
priorities from the Government of Canada on this front, participants
largely believed that these represented a strong approach towards
addressing this issue. Asked to identify what they felt to be the
most important priorities on this list, it was thought that
investments towards infrastructure that protects Canadians from
climate-related disasters and support for regions that are
particularly vulnerable to climate change (including Canada’s North
and coastal regions) would have the most impact.
Federal Government Services (Major Centres Prairies Frequent Users
of Federal Services)
Participants in one group took part in a discussion related to
services provided by the federal government. All reported having
frequently accessed federal services and/or had done so recently.
Asked to identify the types of services delivered by the federal
government, participants mentioned a range of areas, including the
issuing of passports, tax collection, and programs such as the
Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), the Canada Child
Benefit (CCB), and Employment Insurance (EI). Most were positive in
their evaluations of the Government of Canada’s delivery of these
services. Several specifically mentioned the passport renewal
process, believing this to have been a seamless and streamlined
experience. A number also spoke positively of the Canada Revenue
Agency (CRA) website, and the MyCRA account more specifically. It
was thought that this service was highly secure and trustworthy, and
enabled Canadians to prepare and file their annual taxes in a quick
and efficient manner.
Asked which services they had recently accessed, participants
recalled engaging in actions such as renewing their passports
through Service Canada , filing their annual income taxes via the
CRA, applying for EI, and accessing immigration services through
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It was widely
thought that these services had been delivered in a timely manner,
and no participants reported experiencing unreasonable delays.
Discussing whether their experience had impacted their impression of
the Government of Canada, many expressed positive views, stating
that their experiences had given them a more positive opinion of
federal departments and agencies. Questioned whether they felt
service delivery was a priority for the Government of Canada, few
believed that it was. A number commented that while their own
personal experiences had been positive, they had also heard many
accounts of long waits and difficulties accessing a range of federal
services and benefits. Suggesting ways that the Government of Canada
might improve service delivery for Canadians, many believed that
greater resources needed to be invested into agencies and
departments such as Service Canada, the CRA, and IRCC, especially in
terms of hiring more staff to process applications and address
inquiries. It was also thought that streamlining different services
and increasing communication amongst federal departments and
agencies would likely lead to a better overall experience for
Canadians.
Cost of Living (Nova Scotia Middle Class Parents)
Participants in one group took part in a conversation related to the
current cost of living. All felt that the Government of Canada was
on the wrong track in its management of this issue and the Canadian
economy more generally. Participants provided several reasons for
this view, including the belief that federal spending was too high,
the size of the federal government was too large, and that too much
funding had been provided towards foreign assistance to countries
such as Ukraine rather than addressing domestic issues facing
Canadians.
No participants felt that the Government of Canada currently
understood the economic issues presently facing Canadians.
Discussing areas which had become less affordable as of late,
participants identified numerous essentials such as groceries,
gasoline, personal automobiles, and housing. Several also felt that
it had become increasingly difficult to save money for the future,
as a greater portion of their monthly pay was now going towards
everyday expenses. Asked whether they had recently seen, read, or
heard about any work from the Government of Canada on these fronts,
some mentioned the recently announced one-time Grocery Rebate. Most,
however, expected that they would not be eligible for this support,
believing it was only available to lower-income Canadians.
Discussing the factors that they felt were contributing to the
rising cost of living, participants suggested a range of potential
drivers. These included the implementation of the federal carbon
pricing system, perceived high federal spending, and increases to
federal and provincial minimum wages. Almost all were of the view
that the rising cost of living was a global problem, rather than one
which was specifically impacting Canadians. Several, however, felt
that even if the problem was global in nature, the federal
government needed to be doing more to address rising costs and
making life more affordable for Canadians.
Provided with details related to programs such as the Canada Child
Benefit (CCB), Canada Dental Benefit (CDB), and agreements related
to the provision of $10 a day, on average, child care, participants
were largely negative in their reactions to this information. Many
commented that they would not qualify for the CDB and felt this
support needed to be expanded to a larger number of Canadians.
Discussing the initiatives related to affordable early learning and
child care, several believed that the delivery of the program had
not been satisfactory thus far and that it was still difficult for
families to access affordable child care in their communities due to
a lack of available spots. While the CCB was thought to be the most
impactful program among participants, a number felt that the amounts
offered did little to address the financial challenges faced by
middle class families.
Cryptocurrency (Major City Centres Ontario Financial Sector Workers)
Participants in the group comprised of financial sector workers
residing in Ontario engaged in a brief discussion related to
cryptocurrency. Though all were familiar with the concept of
cryptocurrency, many struggled to provide a precise definition.
Asked to identify the benefits which might be associated with owning
cryptocurrency, many suggested that there was the potential for
rapid increases in value and believed that cryptocurrency assets
were highly secure from hacking or theft. Others also were of the
impression that cryptocurrency was not subject to the inflation
experienced by government-issued currency. Discussing concerns and
risks related to cryptocurrency, many expressed concerns about the
increased potential of fraud related to these digital assets. A
large number also expressed reservations about the perceived
volatility of cryptocurrency as well as the lack of regulation and
oversight of cryptocurrency and associated trading platforms. While
understanding these concerns, few felt that cryptocurrency should be
regulated by the federal government. A small number believed that
greater efforts should instead be taken by the federal government to
educate Canadians about cryptocurrency, enabling them to better
understand the potential risks and benefits of investing in these
assets.
Online Safety (Major Centres Quebec Frequent Media Consumers, Major
Centres Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Mid-Size and Major Centres
Quebec, Small and Mid-Size Centres Atlantic Canada)
Participants in four groups engaged in conversations related to
online safety. Asked to identify what they felt to be the most
positive aspects of the internet and the online world on society
today, a range of positive aspects were mentioned. These included
increased communication with family and friends, the advent of
remote and online work and education options, and the relative ease
of access to a wide array of information and entertainment.
Describing the potential drawbacks of the internet and the online
world, participants shared a number of concerns, including the
potential overreliance on digital information, a loss of personal
privacy, vulnerability to online scams, issues related to internet
addiction, and the growing spread of hateful content online.
Discussing what the term ‘online safety’ meant to them, several
mentioned the issue of keeping children safe from harmful content or
communicating with potentially dangerous individuals on social media
and other digital platforms. For others the term was also associated
with encryption and the security of one’s digital passwords and
information. Many were concerned specifically about the impact of
the internet on younger generations, and especially children, who
they believed would likely be less cognizant of potential online
dangers. A number reiterated the potential harms of online hate,
including the harassment and cyberbullying of racialized Canadians
and other vulnerable groups.
Asked what ‘online harms’ meant to them, while few were familiar
with the term, most speculated that it likely referred to online
attacks on individuals as well as financial harms resulting from
fraudulent transactions or scams. Discussing what sort of online
content could be considered harmful, many described posts and/or
images which focused on disparaging and spreading hate towards
racialized Canadians, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and other
groups. Asked whether they had personally encountered harmful
content online, many mentioned having seen hateful comments on
social media platforms such as Facebook as well as in the comments
sections on YouTube and online news articles.
Almost all felt more should be done to address harmful content
online. Discussing what actions should be taken, several believed it
was the responsibility of individuals, and parents especially, to
educate themselves about the dangers of harmful online content and
how best to communicate these concerns to their children. Asked if
they were aware of any actions currently being taken on this front,
a few were of the impression that digital platforms had begun
adjusting their algorithms to filter out hateful content as well as
make it easier for users to block and/or report any hateful content
they encounter. Discussing whether online platforms should be
responsible for harmful content on their services, participants were
mixed in their opinions. Among those who felt it was the
responsibility of platforms to prevent harmful content from being
posted on their services, it was thought that greater efforts needed
to be taken by the platforms to moderate harmful content and that
financial penalties should be levied upon companies that did not
take action to remove hateful posts and images.
Misinformation (Major Centres Quebec Frequent Media Consumers)
The group comprised of frequent media consumers residing in Quebec
engaged in an extended discussion related to online misinformation
and disinformation. Discussing what they believed to be the
differences between misinformation and disinformation, some
suggested that while misinformation referred to the unintentional
sharing of false information, disinformation was characterized by
deliberate attempts to mislead.
All reported having encountered misinformation or disinformation
online. Most reported that social media was the primary source of
misinformation or disinformation in their lives. Asked how they
would go about verifying the accuracy of the information they
encountered online, many commented that they would likely check the
source to determine whether or not it is reliable, compare the
information they encountered with other news sites and sources,
and/or seek advice from knowledgeable experts in the subject area.
Discussing actions that could be taken to mitigate online
misinformation and disinformation, participants stressed the role of
individual responsibility in ensuring one was using reliable
sources. It was also felt that digital platforms had a
responsibility to ensure that the news and information hosted on
their platforms was accurate. The view was expressed that while the
federal government had an important role to play in preventing the
circulation of misinformation and disinformation, this should not
come at the expense of the right of Canadians to freely express
themselves.
Artificial Intelligence (Major Centres Ontario Financial Sector
Workers)
Participants in one group, comprised of financial sector workers
from Ontario, engaged in a brief discussion regarding artificial
intelligence (AI). Asked how closely they had been following recent
developments related to AI, while some reported closely following
developments in AI and utilizing AI services, others reported
following its development while not using it, and others were highly
skeptical of AI and concerned about the risks of its potential
misuse. Most were unsure of any recent developments related to this
technology in the financial sector and did not believe it was widely
used in the industry.
Discussing the benefits of AI, participants cited its improved
efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to complete tedious
or repetitive tasks that would otherwise have to be undertaken by
humans. Many were of the view that it could help workers and
companies improve their productivity and lead to a rapid development
of new skills and capabilities across many sectors. Considering the
potential negative aspects of AI, participants expressed concerns
about bias, ethics, and reduced originality of AI-generated content
when compared to text written by humans. A small number felt that
there was a risk of humans developing a dependence on AI, which may
reduce critical thinking and lead to other negative outcomes.
Asked how the Government of Canada should respond to new
developments in the field of AI, participants expressed a variety of
different views. Many felt that federal regulation was necessary to
ensure public safety and reduce the potential for job loss and the
spread of disinformation. Several advocated for the implementation
of stronger regulations as the technology continued to develop, with
the potential to review these rules in the future. A number stressed
the importance of the federal government to act quickly on this
front and shared concerns that a lack of decisive action could lead
to humans potentially losing control over the development of this
technology.
Community Safety (Major Centres Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Small and
Mid-Size Centres Atlantic Canada, G.T.A. Public Transit Users,
Quebec City Working Seniors)
Four groups took part in discussions related to community safety and
the current rate of crime in their communities. Asked to describe
the most pressing issues facing their communities, several mentioned
a perceived rise in crime, including thefts, break-ins, and violent
crimes such as physical assaults and stabbings. A large number in
the groups based in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as the Greater
Toronto Area (G.T.A.) identified issues related to the rising cost
of living, homelessness, addiction, and mental health. While most
indicated feeling relatively safe in their respective communities
(especially those living rurally), a large number were of the
impression that crime rates had been rising in nearby urban centres
such as Toronto, Montreal, Regina, Halifax, and Moncton.
Asked if they could recall any actions taken by the Government of
Canada to address rising crime, participants in all groups mentioned
recent initiatives to strengthen firearms restrictions in Canadian
communities, including the prohibition on the buying and selling of
handguns as well as bans on a wide range of assault-style firearms.
Discussing what more could be done to address the issue of rising
crime, many believed that there needed to be an increased focus on
making life more affordable for vulnerable Canadians, especially in
terms of their ability to afford groceries and secure safe and
affordable housing. It was felt that this would reduce the need of
these individuals to engage in criminal behaviour to meet their
basic needs. A number also believed that greater efforts needed to
be taken to develop educational initiatives and after-school
programming targeted towards younger Canadians, who it was believed
were more prone to engaging in criminal behaviours and participating
in street gangs.
Bail Reform (G.T.A. Frequent Users of Public Transit, Small and
Mid-Size Centres Atlantic Canada, Quebec City Working Seniors)
Three groups engaged in extended conversations related to bail
reform. Discussing whether they had seen, read, or heard anything
related to the bail process in Canada, while a small number were of
the impression that changes to the system were currently being
considered by the federal government, none could recall any specific
details. A number spoke negatively of the current system and were of
the impression that it was relatively easy at present for repeat
offenders to be offered bail. It was believed by several that a
significant proportion of individuals out on bail often did not
abide by the conditions of their release and engaged in further
criminal activity. Asked whether they felt that the current bail
system was fair, participants expressed a range of opinions. Among
those who felt the system was fair, it was thought that bail was an
essential part of the criminal justice system and was critical to
maintaining the presumption of innocence of those who had not been
formally convicted of a crime. Describing the reasons why
individuals released on bail may re-offend, several believed that
these were often crimes of desperation and were closely related to
economic circumstances, struggles with addiction, or mental health
concerns.
Presented with information detailing the actions the Government of
Canada was currently considering taking regarding reforms to the
bail system almost all reacted positively. It was felt by many that
taking these steps would have a significant impact towards making
Canadian communities safer and ensuring that those previously found
guilty of violent crimes were not provided with opportunities to
engage in further criminal behaviour while released on bail. Asked
what more the federal government could be doing to address crime in
Canada, several believed that a greater focus needed to be placed on
expanding mental health and addictions resources to vulnerable
individuals, believing these to be key drivers of the perceived
rising crime rate in recent years. A number were also of the opinion
that a greater focus needed to be placed on reintegrating those
released from prison back into society. It was believed that if
provided with greater educational, employment, and financial
resources that these individuals would be much less likely to
re-offend upon their release.
French Language Protection and Promotion (Quebec City Working
Seniors)
Participants residing in Quebec City took part in a brief
conversation regarding the importance of protecting and promoting
the French language in Canada. All believed that this was a priority
of critical importance for the Government of Canada. Asked to
describe the current state of the French language in Canada, a
number believed that French language services outside of Quebec
continued to be limited relative to those available in English. Most
were unaware of any efforts by the Government of Canada to protect
and promote the French language.
Participants next discussed the Government of Canada’s Action Plan
for Official Languages. Provided with information related to the key
objectives of this plan, participants most were positive in their
reactions. It was widely thought that these measures would be
effective towards protecting and promoting the French language both
in Quebec and the rest of Canada. Among participants the initiatives
to increase Francophone immigration, invest in language training for
newcomers, and invest in Francophone child care services were
expected to be the most impactful. Discussing additional steps that
the federal government could undertake to promote and protect the
French language in Canada, it was thought that it should introduce
requirements for national transportation services, such as airlines
and rail services, to implement minimum French language proficiency
standards for their employees.
Local Issues (Northern British Columbia)
Participants in the group from Northern British Columbia (B.C.)
engaged in a discussion focusing on a number of issues specific to
their region. Asked to describe the most significant issues facing
Northern B.C., many mentioned a perceived widespread lack of safe
and affordable housing. This was believed to have had a considerable
negative impact on many communities in the region, contributing to
high rates of homelessness and the growing departure of younger
people. Transportation was also identified as an issue, with several
commented that their communities lacked access to adequate road and
rail networks.
Asked to identify the most industries and sectors in their
respective communities, several mentioned sectors such as mining,
forestry, oil, and gas. Several expressed that agriculture, tourism,
and clean energy generation were also important for their
communities. Discussing the local sectors and industries that
required the most help, several identified the recent closures of a
number of mills as having been very damaging for the forestry sector
in the region, including job losses in many communities. Asked what
the federal government could do to better support these sectors, it
was suggested that it could work more closely with private companies
and Indigenous leaders to determine the best ways to develop natural
resources in the region.
Almost all felt that projects involving the mining of critical
minerals (such as those used in many clean energy technologies) were
likely to lead to considerable economic benefits for their region.
Several expressed concerns that ongoing labour shortages in the
region communities could impede the operation of any critical
mineral projects and it was felt that the Government of Canada
should take additional efforts to bring in more non-Canadians to
work in these sectors.
MORE INFORMATION
The Strategic Counsel
Contract number: CW2241412
Contract award date: December 19, 2022
Contract value: $ 814,741.30
