Appendix B: Survey questionnaire

This survey is being conducted on behalf of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The questions are general and your responses will not be attributed to you in any way. It will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

1. Are you 18 years of age or older and a resident of Ontario? (Select one response only)

      Yes

      No       [TERMINATE]

2. What area of Ontario do you live in?
   1. Eastern Ontario (i.e. Kingston to Ottawa)
   2. Central Ontario (i.e. Barrie, Peterborough, Orillia etc.…)
   3. City of Toronto (416)
   4. The suburban “905” belt around Toronto
   5. Hamilton-Niagara
   6. Western Ontario
   7. Northern Ontario

 

3. What are the first three digits of your postal code?

[Validate – L#L - NOTE REGIONAL QUOTAS]

 

4. In what year were you born?

[Open-ended Numeric – MIN SHOULD BE 1916, MAX SHOULD BE 1998. 

 

5. How would you describe your current gender identity?
   1. Male
   2. Female
   3. Neither male nor female, or gender fluid or diverse
   4. Other cultural gender identity (e.g. Indigenous two-spirit)

 

1.    Thinking about the way things are going these days here in Ontario, would you say that for most people life is generally going very well, somewhat well, not very well or not at all well?

1. Very well
2. Somewhat well
3. Not very well
4. Not at all well

 

2.    For the purpose of this survey, “human rights” means people being free of discrimination or harassment and having equal opportunity in employment, housing, services, contracts and vocational associations (like unions and professional organizations) regardless of factors like race, ethnicity, religion, place of origin, Indigenous or Aboriginal ancestry, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, criminal record, marital or family status, disability or being on social assistance.

Generally speaking, how much of a problem do you think there is in Ontario with people being harassed or discriminated against? Is this…

1. A major problem
2. Somewhat of a problem
3. Not much of a problem
4. Not a problem at all

 

3.    In Ontario, what do you think are the three most common reasons why people experience discrimination and/or harassment? CHECK OFF UP TO THREE RESPONSES

1. Sex
2. Being transgender
3. Age      ASK Q. 3a
4. Sexual orientation
5. Being Indigenous or Aboriginal
6. Race or colour
7. Ancestry or ethnic origin
8. Place of origin
9. Citizenship status
10. Creed or religion
11. Pregnancy
12. Family status (responsible for caring other family members, e.g. young children or elderly parents)
13. Marital status
14. Disability
15. Receipt of social assistance
16. Other (SPECIFY)_________________

 

IF AGE WAS SELECTED IN Q. 3, ASK:

3a. You indicated that you think age is a common reason why people experience discrimination and/or harassment in Ontario. Which form of age discrimination were you thinking of?

1. Discrimination against youth (24 and under)
2. Discrimination against middle age adults (25-64)
3. Discrimination against seniors (65 and over)

 

4.    ASK ALL: How well protected do you think people’s human rights are in Ontario when discrimination and harassment happens?

1. Very well protected
2. Somewhat well protected
3. Not very well protected
4. Not protected at all

 

5. Overall, how well informed do you feel about what protections and obligations you have under human rights law in Ontario? Are you…
   1. Very informed
   2. Somewhat informed
   3. Not very informed
   4. Not at all informed

 

6. How familiar are you with each of the following?

 

ROWS

1. Ontario Human Rights Code
2. Ontario Human Rights Commission
3. Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
4. Human Rights Legal Support Centre of Ontario
5. Indigenous or Aboriginal rights
6. Impact of colonialism on Indigenous or Aboriginal peoples

 

COLUMNS

1. Very familiar
2. Somewhat familiar
3. Not very familiar
4. Never heard of it

 

7.    How accepting or tolerant would you say people generally are in Ontario towards people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including immigrants from other countries? Are we…

 

1. Too tolerant and accepting
2. About as tolerant and accepting as we should be
3. Not tolerant and accepting enough

 

8.    What is your personal feeling about each of the following groups of people in our society? Do you feel very positive, somewhat positive, neutral, somewhat negative or very negative?

 

ROWS – RANDOMIZE

1. People with physical or intellectual, cognitive or learning disabilities
2. People with mental health disabilities or addictions
3. People with a different ethnic origin than yours
4. Indigenous or Aboriginal people
5. Black, African or Afro Caribbean people
6. Arab people
7. Asian people
8. People of colour/visible minorities
9. People with a different creed or religion than yours
10. Muslim people
11. Immigrants
12. Refugees
13. People on social assistance
14. Lesbian, gay, or bisexual people
15. Transgender people

 

COLUMNS

1. Very positive
2. Somewhat positive
3. Neutral
4. Somewhat negative
5. Very negative

 

9.    Here in Ontario do you feel that we do too much, just the right amount or not enough when it comes to accommodating the needs of each of the following groups of people?

 

ROWS – RANDOMIZE

a)    People with physical disabilities

b)    People with intellectual, cognitive or learning disabilities

c)    People with mental health disabilities or addictions

d)    Pregnant women

e)    People responsible for caring for other family members (e.g. young children, elderly parents)

f)     Immigrants

g)    Transgender people

h)    Indigenous or Aboriginal peoples

i)      Muslim people

j)      People, other than Muslims, who practice a religion  

k)    French-speakers

 

COLUMNS

1. We do too much
2. Just the right amount
3. We don’t do enough

 

10. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:

 

ROWS – RANDOMIZE

 

1. We would be better off in Ontario if we stopped letting in so many immigrants
2. Indigenous or Aboriginal people receive too many government benefits
3. Some jobs are better suited for men, some are better suited for women
4. Ontario is changing too quickly because of ethnic communities
5. Immigrants should adapt to the laws and norms of our society
6. It is normal for Ontario to evolve and reflect or adapt to the changing cultural diversity of our society
7. When jobs are scarce, employers should prioritize hiring people born in Canada rather than immigrants
8. You need to be cautious of people who are too open in showing their religious beliefs
9. It’s understandable for an apartment owner or property manager to be concerned about renting to someone on social assistance
10. We do enough to help people on social assistance. They could do more to help themselves if they wanted to.
11. Students should learn more about human rights and responsibilities in school

l)      Discrimination is no longer a major issue. Therefore, we don’t need a human rights commission, human rights legal support service and human rights tribunal.

 

COLUMNS

1. Strongly agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Somewhat disagree
4. Strongly disagree

 

11. When you see people wearing the following things in public how does it make you feel? Are you very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable? 

 

ROWS – RANDOMIZE

1. A man wearing a turban
2. Someone wearing a Christian cross around their neck
3. A man wearing a kippah (Jewish skullcap)
4. A woman wearing a hijab (head scarf) covering her hair
5. A woman wearing a niqab or veil covering her face
6. Traditional Mennonite clothing (bonnets and long dresses for women, black pants and hats for men)
7. An Indigenous or Aboriginal person who keeps their hair long in a ponytail

 

COLUMNS

1. Very comfortable
2. Somewhat comfortable
3. Somewhat uncomfortable
4. Very uncomfortable

 

Now moving on to a different topic…

 

12. Here are two points of view about how police forces treat different groups of people. Where would you position yourself? [PUT IN A FOUR POINT SCALE BETWEEN THE TWO VIEWS]

 

1. The police must always treat everyone exactly the same way, regardless of which group or community they identify with
2. …
3. …
4. The police need to be able to profile or target certain groups or communities that tend to commit more crime if they are going to do their jobs effectively

 

13. Do you think the police would always, sometimes, rarely or never be justified in profiling or targeting each of the following groups of people when they enforce the law and conduct their investigations?

 

ROWS – RANDOMIZE

1. Young people
2. Indigenous or Aboriginal people
3. Homeless people
4. People with mental health disabilities and addictions
5. Black/African-Canadian people
6. South Asian people (e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan)
7. Southeast Asian people (e.g., Cambodian, Indonesian, Laotian, Vietnamese)
8. Chinese people
9. Arab people
10. Muslim people
11. Latin American people
12. Lesbian, gay, or bisexual people
13. Transgender people

COLUMNS

1. Always justified
2. Sometimes justified
3. Rarely justified
4. Never justified

 

14. In the past five years, have you experienced discrimination or been treated unfairly by others because of… (Select all that apply)

 

1. The colour of your skin or because of race
2. Your ancestry, ethnic origin or culture
3. Your age
4. Your sexual orientation
5. Your disability
6. Your creed or religion
7. Your sex (because you are female or male)
8. Your gender identity (because you are transgender or gender non-conforming)
9. Your gender expression (physical traits, hair, clothes, name, etc.)
10. Because of pregnancy
11. Your political beliefs
12. For being on social assistance
13. Having low employment income
14. Using a food bank
15. Having a criminal record
16. Your marital status (single, married, separated, divorced, widowed)
17. Your family status (i.e. you are responsible for children or aging parents or other dependent family members)
18. Another reason (SPECIFY)________________
98. No, I have not experienced discrimination in the past five years SKIP TO Q.18
99. No, I have never been discriminated against SKIP TO Q. 18

 

ASK ALL WHO EXPERIENCED ANY DISCRIMINATION IN Q. 14 IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS:

 

15. Did any of the incidents of discrimination you experienced involve sexual harassment?
    1. Yes
    2. No

 

16.  Thinking about the last time you experienced discrimination, did this occur… (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
    1. At school
    2. At work
    3. Within a trade union or professional association
    4. When accessing housing
    5. In a public place
    6. In a shop/restaurant
    7. When interacting with police or other areas of the criminal justice system
    8. When accessing another service
    9. Somewhere else (SPECIFY) _______

 

17. The last time you experienced discrimination, how did you respond? …CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
    1. You made a complaint to someone in the organization where it happened
    2. You had a discussion with the person who did it
    3. You talked about it with family/friends or someone else outside the organization
    4. You asked the Human Rights Legal Support Centre of Ontario for help
    5. You filed a complaint (called an application) with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
    6. You kept it to yourself and did not respond

 

ASK ALL

 

18. Here is a list of ways in which people in Ontario sometimes have their needs accommodated. Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose these accommodations?

 

ROWS – RANDOMIZE

1. Providing a prayer space for students
2. Allowing transgender students to use washrooms based on their lived gender identity
3. Prison cafeterias accommodating religious dietary requirements (e.g. offering an alternative to pork or beef such as seafood and vegetarian choices)
4. Allowing extra time away (without pay if in employment) for religious or cultural reasons
5. Giving a student with a learning disability longer to finish an exam
6. Allowing someone time off from work for addiction treatment
7. Rearranging work schedules to allow a parent to pick up their child from child care
8. Allowing a service animal like a guide dog in a restaurant with a buffet
9. Installing a small wooden curb ramp at the front of a shop to allow access for customers using wheelchairs or walkers

 

COLUMNS

1. Strongly support
2. Somewhat support
3. Somewhat oppose
4. Strongly oppose

 

19.  How often do you personally have any contact or interact with each of the following groups of people?

 

ROWS – RANDOMIZE

1. People with physical or intellectual, cognitive or learning disabilities
2. People with mental health disabilities or addictions
3. People with a different ethnic origin than yours
4. Indigenous or Aboriginal people
5. Black, African or Afro Caribbean people
6. Arab people
7. Asian people
8. People of colour/visible minorities
9. People with a different creed or religion than yours
10. Muslim people
11. Immigrants
12. Refugees
13. People on social assistance
14. Lesbian, gay, or bisexual people
15. Transgender people

 

COLUMNS

1. Frequently
2. Sometimes
3. Rarely
4. Never

 

Demographics – On to some questions about you…

 

6. Which of the following best describes your own present employment status? (Select more than one response if necessary)
   1. Working full-time
   2. Working part-time
   3. Unemployed or looking for a job
   4. Stay at home full-time
   5. Student
   6. Retired
   7. Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
   8. Ontario Works (“welfare”)
   9. Other social assistance or disability pension

 

7. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (Select one response only)
   1. Part of high school
   2. Completed high school
   3. Some college or university
   4. College or technical school certificate
   5. University bachelor's degree
   6. Postgraduate university degree/professional designation

 

8. What was your sex assigned at birth, meaning on your original birth certificate?
   1. Male
   2. Female

 

IF RESPONSE TO Q. H IS DIFFERENT FROM Q. E, ASK:

 

1. In your day to day life, what gender do you currently live as?
   1. Male
   2. Female
   3. Sometimes male or sometimes female
   4. Neither male nor female

ASK ALL

10. Were you born in Canada or in a country other than Canada?
    1. Canada
    2. Other country

IF BORN IN CANADA, ASK:

11. Were your parents born in Canada, or in a country other than Canada?
    1. Canada
    2. Other country
    3. One parent born in Canada, one in another country

 

12. People living in Canada come from many different ethno-cultural backgrounds or countries. Which of the following best describes your ancestry, ethnicity or place of origin? (Select up to two responses)
    1. Indigenous/Aboriginal (First Nations (North American Indian – includes Status and Non-Status Indians), Métis or Inuk (Inuit))
    2. British Isles (English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh)
    3. French
    4. Other European
    5. Chinese
    6. South Asian (e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan)
    7. Southeast Asian (e.g., Cambodian, Indonesian, Laotian, Vietnamese)
    8. Black/African or Afro Caribbean
    9. Filipino
    10. Latin American
    11. Arab
    12. West Asian (e.g., Afghan, Iranian, Turkish)
    13. Japanese
    14. Korean
    15. Other: _________

 

13. Which religion do you practice, if any?
    1. Roman Catholic
    2. Mainline Protestant denomination (Anglican, United Church, Presbyterian…)
    3. Evangelical Protestant denomination
    4. Orthodox Christian
    5. Judaism
    6. Islam
    7. Hinduism
    8. Buddhism
    9. Sikhism
    10. Indigenous or Aboriginal spirituality
    11. Other (SPECIFY)_______________
    98. None, do not practice any religion

 

Ma. How frequently do you practice your religion?

1. Once a week or more
2. Once a month
3. Only on special occasions
4. Never
99. Don't know

 

14. Which religion did you identify with during your childhood?
    1. Roman Catholic
    2. Mainline Protestant denomination (Anglican, United Church, Presbyterian…)
    3. Evangelical Protestant denomination
    4. Orthodox Christian
    5. Judaism
    6. Islam
    7. Hinduism
    8. Buddhism
    9. Sikh
    10. Indigenous or Aboriginal spirituality
    11. Other: ____________
    98. No religion

 

15. Do you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or as queer or questioning?
    1. Yes
    2. No

 

16. Do you have a disability of any kind? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
    1. Yes, I have a physical disability (e.g. mobility, hearing, vision etc.…)
    2. Yes, I have an intellectual, cognitive or learning disability
    3. Yes, I have a mental health or addiction-related disability
    4. No, I do not have a disability

 

17. To the best of your knowledge, what was the combined income of all people in your household, before taxes, in 2016? Was it…
    1. Less than $20,000
    2. $20,000 to $40,000
    3. $40,000 to $60,000
    4. $60,000 to $80,000
    5. $80,000 to $100,000
    6. $100,000 to $150,000
    7. More than $150,00

Thank you very much for completing the survey.

If you would like more information about Ontario’s Human Rights Code and the work of the Ontario Human Rights Commission please visit www.ohrc.on.ca.

If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment and want advice from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre please visit www.hrlsc.on.ca.

If you would like to file a complaint (called an application) with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario please visit www.sjto.gov.on.ca/hrto.