The 2022 Waterloo Community Wellbeing Mini-Survey is based on the eight domains of life that the Canadian Index of Wellbeing has identified as critical to our overall wellbeing: Community Vitality, Healthy Populations, Democratic Engagement, The Environment, Leisure and Culture, Education, Living Standards and Time Use.

Many community collaborators in Waterloo Region will be using this data to inform strategic planning processes and to make data-informed decisions about where energy and resources are needed most at this moment in time. Community organizations and agencies will use the information to better understand and support the people they are reaching.

Yes. All the information you provide in the survey will be kept strictly confidential. When you complete the survey online, your answers are recorded on a secure computer at the University of Waterloo where only the researchers at the Canadian Index of Wellbeing will have access to the data. At no time will your name or address be recorded or attached to your survey responses.

The Canadian Index of Wellbeing based in the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo will be collecting and summarizing the results, and Wellbeing WR will use the results to describe different groups in the Region – by municipality, for example – to produce a final report as well as additional data snapshots.

Demographic questions are intended to help shed light on wellbeing disparities across populations, and help organizations build programs and services that meet the needs of residents. This information will also help us ensure that we are hearing from many different groups with diverse experiences, and the survey data is representative of Waterloo Region residents. While you are not required to answer these questions, your answers are important in understanding where there are still gaps in wellbeing in order to create needed changes to eliminate barriers and inequities.

We have tested the survey and found it takes about 20 to 25 minutes to complete. You can choose not to answer any of the questions on the survey

No, you do not have to take this survey. Your participation in the survey is entirely voluntary, and be assured that all your answers will be kept strictly confidential.

The Canadian Index of Wellbeing recommends to administer a full wellbeing survey every 5-7 years, and a smaller version every 2-3 years. We worked collaboratively with a community advisory group to select the questions that feel the most important at this point-in-time.

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board (REB #44744). If you have questions for the Board, please contact the Office of Research Ethics, at 1-519-888-4567, ext. 36005, or at reb@uwaterloo.ca.