Blog posts archive

«Previous

January 2014

The importance of voting in municipal elections

Monday, October 20, 2014 by Keely Phillips, CIW Community Wellbeing Survey Manager

Did you know that voting in all elections is a responsibility of Canadian citizens? Over the next month, municipalities across several provinces and territories will hold municipal elections. Municipal policies can have a large impact on wellbeing and yet, with few exceptions, Canadians tend to be less interested in municipal politics than they are in federal or provincial politics (Figure 1).

Democratic Engagement

Policy

Community Vitality

Community Wellbeing Survey

Are Canadians really connecting with environmental issues?

Wednesday, October 1, 2014 by Keely Phillips and Linda McKessock

This week marks the release of the World Wildlife Fund’s 2014 Living Planet Report. It found that Canada has the 11^th highest ecological footprint in the world, even though it ranks 37^th in terms of population. Additionally, our Canadian lifestyle requires nearly 7 global hectares of resources per person, but the planet can only support 1.7 global hectares per person (a global hectare is about the size of a soccer field). As a nation we are consuming far more than our share.

Environment

Policy

Community Wellbeing Survey

Young adults are slacktivists, and that's a good thing

Monday, September 15, 2014 by Keely Phillips, CIW Community Wellbeing Survey Manager

September 15 to 21, 2014 is Canada’s Democracy Week, which “aims to connect Canadians with activities in communities across the country that celebrate our democratic values and traditions.” Democracy Week is especially focused on engaging youth in democratic activities. As part of Democracy Week, we look at young adult participation in both digital activism and in public demonstrations or protests.

The CIW’s Democratic Engagement Domain

Democratic Engagement

Never too young: early literacy and wellbeing

Wednesday, September 3, 2014 by Keely Phillips, CIW Community Wellbeing Survey Manager

It’s back to school season! Every year at this time, our focus shifts to the wellbeing of children and youth. The Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) wants to add to the discussion by exploring the link between education and wellbeing from a lifespan lens, specifically the importance of early childhood learning.

Education

All work and no play

Friday, July 25, 2014 by CIW Staff

If you are not taking any vacation this summer it turns out you are not alone. New CIW research found that more than one-third of Canadians are not taking their vacation time.

Time Use

Research

Policy

Creating Better Health

Monday, June 23, 2014 by Bruce Lauckner, CEO, Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (WWLHIN)

Based on CIW Café Scientifique panelist presentation.

2014 CIW Ontario Index

Voting and wellbeing: why showing up at the polls matters

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 by Keely Phillips, CIW Community Wellbeing Survey Manager

Voting in elections is one of the most basic expressions of our political opinions. While it is only one element of democratic engagement, it is often the first activity we think of when it comes to maintaining our democracy. But why vote?

Democratic Engagement

2014 CIW Ontario Index

Thoughts about time as a social determinant of health…

Monday, June 2, 2014 by Susan J. Elliott, PhD; Professor of Geography & Public Health; Dean, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo.

Based on CIW Café Scientifique panelist presentation.

2014 CIW Ontario Index

Using the CIW to shift the conversation about health and wellbeing

Monday, May 26, 2014 by Denise C. Squire, Executive Director, Woolwich Community Health Centre. Based on CIW Café Scientifique panelist presentation.

In June 2007, I heard Roy Romanow speak about the CIW at the annual Association of Ontario Health Centres conference, and I got REALLY excited!

2014 CIW Ontario Index

Ten ways all Canadians can improve their wellbeing this spring

Tuesday, April 29, 2014 by Keely Phillips, CIW Community Wellbeing Survey Manager

It’s finally spring! While the CIW measures wellbeing at the national, provincial, and community level we recognize that wellbeing at the personal, family, and neighbourhood level has huge impact on the daily lives of Canadians. The arrival of warmer weather is the ideal time to make improvements to wellbeing, by getting more involved in the community, trying new things, and making healthy choices.

Democratic Engagement

How are Ontarians Really Doing?

Tuesday, April 29, 2014 by CIW Staff

This week marks the release of the CIW’s first provincial index report, How are Ontarians Really Doing? For both Ontario and Canada between 1994 and 2010 growth in GDP far outpaced growth in our wellbeing. In other words, improvements in our quality of life have been sluggish compared to growth in our economy.

2014 CIW Ontario Index

Research

Policy