Category: Research Links and Resources

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) has a legislated mandate to provide national leadership and evidence-informed analysis and advice to mobilize collaborative efforts to reduce alcohol- and other drug-related harms. Site offers a collection of research and statistics on general health, alcohol and drug addiction, and gambling.

Inflation Calculator: Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)   

The calculator uses the all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI) as a measure of inflation for different locations in Canada. It can be used to calculate the change in value of dollar figures over time.   

OECD Factbook 2013 : Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics 

The OECD Factbook is a free online tool which provides a global overview of today’s major economic, social and environmental indicators, in a range of user-friendly formats. The 2009 edition features many indicators on OECD member countries and Brazil, Russian Federation, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa. The 2009 Factbook also contains a special chapter with a focus on Inequality.

Social Return On Investment (SROI) Edmonton Financial Proxies Database  

Financial proxies are estimates of value created through social enterprise or service delivery. Proxies help determine whether or not desired changes or outcomes have taken place. In Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis, proxies are monetized to measure the social return that has been achieved.

Statistics Canada   

Statistics Canada produces statistics that help Canadians better understand their country, its population, resources, economy, society and culture. In Canada, providing statistics is a federal responsibility. As Canada’s central statistical agency, Statistics Canada is legislated to serve this function for the whole of Canada and each of the provinces. In addition to conducting a Census every five years, there are about 350 active surveys on virtually all aspects of Canadian life. Some sub-sites of interest:        

• Canadian Statistics: Provides a selection of summary statistical tables available by province/territory, subject, and metropolitan area.
• CANSIM: Resource for purchasing socio-economic statistics. Subjects include demographics, income, wealth, health, housing, ethnic diversity, immigration, social conditions, labour, government, and more.
• Census of Canada: This website contains statistics collected from the most recent census in 2011 and previous censuses. The 2011 Census includes statistics related to Canadians’ age and sex, family and household categories, marital status, and their language. It also contains statistical profiles of communities across Canada.
• Insights on Canadian Society: This publication brings together and analyzes a wide range of data sources in order to provide information on various aspects of Canadian society, including labour, income, education, social, and demographic issues, that affect the lives of Canadians.

 

• Survey on Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID): The SLID is an important source of income data for Canadian families, households and individuals, providing a perspective on the changes experienced by individuals and families over time. The survey’s ultimate objective is to increase understanding of the economic well-being of Canadians. Site provides links to the data products created by the SLID and other related surveys.

Stats & Facts  
Published by the Canadian Council on Social Development. Stats & Facts provides accessible, accurate and regularly updated statistical information on social and economic indicators for policy analysts, community planners, activists, journalists, and students. Site contains facts sheets organized by topic area (demographics, families, health and education, labour market and economic security) and offer national, provincial and some international data.  

Action for Healthy Communities

Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) is the working name of the Edmonton Healthcare Citizenship Society (EHCS), a nonprofit community organization operating in central Edmonton since 1995. Its strategy involves working together with residents and self-defined community members (based on such criteria as age, ethnicity, geography, life stage, and values) of ten economically challenged and culturally diverse neighbourhoods in central Edmonton.  

Philia: A Dialogue on Caring Citizenship

The Philia Dialogue on Caring Citizenship was founded on the simple belief that the health, well-being and strength of our society requires the presence and participation of all citizens. The organization envisions a society in which every person can be a full and contributing citizen.

Tamarack

Tamarack is a charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadian communities take ownership of local issues by making use of proven strategies for community engagement. Designed to promote community engagement across Canada, the institute’s mission is to develop a process to help people create bold visions for the future of their communities, and work together to achieve those visions more easily and effectively.

Alberta Council on Aging

Alberta Council on Aging (ACA) is a non-profit registered charitable organization that is committed to maintain or improve the quality of life for seniors and encourage their full participation in all aspects of society.

Alberta Seniors, Seniors Supports Division

The Seniors Supports Division is responsible for planning and delivering financial support programs for seniors including: The Alberta Seniors Benefit program, which provides monthly cash benefits to lower-income seniors; the Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program, which provides cash payments to eligible lower-income seniors who experience financial difficulties or unexpected expenses they cannot afford; and the Dental Assistance, Optical Assistance, and Education Property Tax Assistance programs for seniors.  It also monitors seniors’ financial situations to ensure that programs are addressing the needs of those most in need of assistance.

Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council

The vision of ESCC is to take a leadership role in facilitating shared planning and coordination of senior-serving agencies in Edmonton working together to enhance social and recreational programs and the services they offer seniors.

Mesothelioma on the Canadian Cancer Society Website and on Asbestos.com (General and Canadian-focused information)

These two Canadian-focused websites provide information on mesothelioma, a cancerous or malignant tumour that starts in cells of the mesothelium. Malignant means that it can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. Mesothelioma, caused by asbestos exposure, has a latency of period of 20 to 50 years, meaning it tends to affect seniors.

National Seniors Council 

The National Seniors Council has been established to advise the federal government on all matters related to the health, well-being and quality of life of seniors.

Public Health Agency of Canada, Division of Aging and Seniors

The Division of Aging and Seniors provides federal leadership on health issues related to aging and seniors. It serves as a focal point for information and centre of expertise in this area.

Public Interest Alberta: Seniors Campaign

Public Interest Alberta (PIA) is a province-wide organization focused on education and advocacy on public interest issues. One of PIAs areas of focus is Seniors Care, in particular long-term care and homecare. The site contains information on the campaign, details on its five recommendations to improve the lives of Alberta’s seniors, and related editorials.

Seniors’ Abuse Help Line  (780-454-8888)

The Senior’s Abuse Help Line is a support line for seniors that is sponsored by the Edmonton Elder Abuse Intervention Team, City of Edmonton – Community Services, and Catholic Social Services.

Seniors Advisory Council of Alberta  

The Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta is responsible for advising and making recommendations to the province on matters relating to Alberta’s seniors. It is a government appointed body that reports through the Minister of Seniors and Community Supports.

Seniors’ Association of Greater Edmonton

SAGE, a multi-service senior centre established in 1970, offers a wide range of services for older adults and their families. The SAGE online library includes housing and services directories for seniors.

Alberta Works

A family support program administered by the Alberta Ministry of Employment and Immigration. The Alberta Works Income Support Program provides financial benefits to individuals and families who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter. Site describes the benefits available, and provides links to related publications, policy research, and legislation.

Campaign 2000: End Child Poverty in Canada

Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada coalition of over 90 national and community organizations that are seeking to end child poverty. Site features report cards on child poverty in Canada, as well as numerous resources and reports regarding poverty and low income.   

Canada Without Poverty (formerly National Anti-Poverty Organization – NAPO)

Canada Without Poverty is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of low-income people in Canada with its mandate being to eradicate poverty in Canada. This site addresses various issues such as child poverty, the federal budget, guaranteed adequate income, minimum & living wages, and poverty measures.

Institute for Research on Poverty (U.S.) 

Based out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this centre focuses on the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States. Has numerous research areas, including child and family well-being, health and poverty, education and poverty, inequality, child support, welfare reform, and more.

National Child Benefit  

The National Child Benefit (NCB) is a joint initiative of Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments, which includes a First Nations component. The National Child Benefit aims to prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty in Canada, promote labour market attachment by ensuring that families will always be better off as a result of working, and reduce overlap and duplication by harmonizing program objectives and benefits across jurisdictions.

PovNet  

An online resource for advocates, people on welfare, and community groups and individuals involved in anti-poverty work. Find up-to-date information about resources on welfare, housing, homelessness, youth, disability, Aboriginal populations, refugees and immigrants, worker’s rights, seniors, and finding an advocate.

Public Library of Science: Poverty Collection  

A collection of open-access journal articles from the Public Library of Science. The articles come from a number of fields of science, many with a focus on the relationship between poverty and health.

Welfare in Canada 2012

This report focuses on the incomes of four different households living on social assistance, commonly known as “welfare.” It is a continuation of the welfare incomes series published regularly by the former National Council of Welfare.” [Taken from report]

Abilities Canada

This website is an opportunity for people with disabilities and the broader community to engage in dialogue around issues that matter to all of us. It includes disability-related articles on arts, travel, health and activity, family life, technology, learning, work and money, and social policy; as well as a number of interactive features

Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities, City of Edmonton

The Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities (ABSPD) advocates for Edmontonians with special needs. The Board works to facilitates changes in City policy and practice, advises the City on disability issues, and works to increase public awareness. Site includes reports from the Board's various committees and information on events and accessibility guidelines.    

Inclusion Alberta

Inclusion Alberta (formerly Alberta Association for Community Living) is a family-based non-profit federation that advocates on behalf of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Together, we share a dream of meaningful family life and community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities. As an advocacy organization we support families and individuals in their desire to be fully included in community life.   

Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities  

The Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities is a consumer-directed organization that actively promotes full participation in society for Albertans with disabilities. The organization operates on the guiding principles of full participation, accessibility, and equity.   

Alberta Disabilities Forum   

The Alberta Disabilities Forum, formed in 1996, is a coalition of 40 not-for-profit provincial disability organizations whose members speak with a unified voice on cross-disability issues of concern for Albertans with disabilities. Part of its mandate is to build partnerships with government and other stakeholders and to assist people with disabilities to have a voice. ADF also promotes public education and networking.

Canadian Association for Community Living  

The Canadian Association for Community Living is a Canada-wide association of family members and others working for the benefit of persons of all ages who have an intellectual disability. Site includes research on the meaning of inclusion to families, people with intellectual disabilities, and community partners.

Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS)  

The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies is a consumer-directed, university-affiliated centre dedicated to research, education and information dissemination on disability issues. Site contains links to relevant research and educational resources, as well as the CCDS quarterly bulletin.

Canadian Mental Health Association: Alberta Division

The Alberta Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association is part of a nation-wide, charitable organization that promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. It aims to accomplish this mission through advocacy, education, research and service. Site contains information on mental health-related public policy information and publications.

Caring Minds

To create an equitable and caring society, we need to educate ourselves about mental health and its impact in order to encourage self-reflection, acceptance, and compassion. Inspired by social history, the curriculum materials on this website challenge learners to consider mental health issues from multiple perspectives and to explore themes of difference, diversity and discrimination.

Chrysalis

Chrysalis offers personalized services designed to meet the needs of the individuals whom we serve while providing meaningful opportunities for growth and community inclusion. Our site will help determine whether our organization is a good fit for you or anyone you may know, to allow you to meet your employment, volunteer or recreations goals.

Council of Canadians with Disabilities   

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities advocates at the national level to improve the status of Canadians with disabilities by eliminating inequality and discrimination.    

Disabled Women's Network (DAWN)

DAWN Canada is a feminist organization of women with disabilities working to achieve control over their lives and end the stereotypes that label women with disabilities as dependent burdens on society.   

A Guide to the Disability Tax Credit

Information on claiming the Canada disability tax credit for yourself or on behalf of another.

Independent Living Canada

Independent Living Canada aims to pro-actively enable persons with disabilities to access the resources that permit their full integration into and participation in Canadian society.     

Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)   

PDD is a division of the Alberta Ministry of Seniors. This organization's mission is to create an Alberta where adults with developmental disabilities are included in community life. Site contains publications, policy information, and links to the regional community boards.

Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)   

PLAN is a non-profit organization established in 1989 by and for families committed to future planning and securing a good life for the relative with a disability. Site contains links to related resources (including books, newsletters, workshops, etc.) and information on public policies, as well as a resource list for Alberta families.   

Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities

The Premier's Council facilitates the development of Alberta's Disability Strategy in an effort to unite and coordinate the efforts of government, the disability community, and corporate partners.

Technology Resources for College Students with Disabilities

This guide provides a quick overview of the different common disabilities some college students have and the different resources and technologies available to them. It is an American resource, but most of their recommendations are available in Canada.

Canadian Index of Well Being

Purpose of the index is to provide Canadians with a clear, valid and regular accounting of the things that matter to them and the progress made in Canada in regards to social, human, and economic wealth. It is intended to measure the quality of life of all Canadians, examining such things as income & jobs, social cohesion, personal security, educational attainment of population, and more. Site emphasis their magazine Reality Check that contains information regarding the index and quality of life.   

Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI): Pembina Institute

Pembina is an independent, non-profit environmental policy research and education organization that is involved with the Genuine Progress Indicators (GPI). The GPI is a new system for measuring the total well-being and sustainability of regions, measuring economic, social and environmental factors by using 51 statistical measurements. It has been introduced as an alternative to such measures like the Gross Domestic Product. Site contains current GPI information for Alberta, including news articles, reports, downloadable fact sheets, and surveys.     

GPI Atlantic: Genuine Progress Index for Atlantic Canada 

GPI Atlantic was founded in 1997 as a non-profit research group responsible for constructing a new index of sustainable development. Includes resources related to natural and social capital, environmental quality, and socio-economic factors. Although the data is for Atlantic Canada, this is a great source of information regarding the need for the GPI, differences between GPI and GDP, and general information on GPI in Canada.    

How Canada Performs: A Report Card on Canada

Created by the Conference Board of Canada, this interactive website compares Canada's quality of life to that in peer countries. It includes analysis on economic, social, health, innovation, education & skills, and environmental indicators.

Health Indicators: Canadian Institute for Health Information 

Located on the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) website, this is a link to health indicators that are standardized measures by which to compare health status and health system performance among different jurisdictions. This site also features online database of health indicators, reports "Health Indicators" for different years, and comparable health indicators.    

Health Indicators: Statistics Canada 

This is an Internet-based data publication which features updated health region data on over 80 indicators of health. Includes tables on non-medical determinants of health (labour force, income, housing etc), health conditions, and health system performance. It also explains the health indicators framework, which describes the current indicators, categories and dimensions.  

Low income cut-offs

This Statistics Canada page defines low-income cut-offs explains why they are used, how they are calculated, and the differences between before and after tax low-income cut-offs.

New Economics Foundation

The NEF is an independent think-and-do tank that aims to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues. The website contains resources on economics, environment, and society, as well as action resources, publications, and links to other organizations.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) 

FCM programs address green initiatives, affordable housing, women in government, climate protection and partnering with First Nations communities. They also provide an opportunity for Canadian municipalities to share know-how and resources domestically as well as overseas through international development initiatives.

Quality of Life Research Unit: University of Toronto

This unit carries out quality of life research related to communities, families, and individuals which examines the impact influences have upon the meaning in life. Site contains an in-depth examination of the concepts and models of quality of life, numerous papers on related topics, and an interactive online tool to assess one's own quality of life.