What it measures
Dimension: Social support
This indicator represents the percentage of the population who helped others during the past year without expecting to be paid. Unpaid help can take many different forms. Some examples include housework or home maintenance; shopping or driving to appointments; health or personal care-related activities; and, teaching or tutoring. A growing number of Canadians report that they provide help to others, and over three-quarters of Canadians provide assistance to family, friends, and neighbours.
Why this matters
This indicator provides information on the extent to which Canadians feel connected to their communities. People who have a strong sense of community are more likely to help others without expecting any financial reward.