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Appendix 2: Survey QuestionsGeneration Z: Portrait of a New Generation of Young Canadians and How They Compare to Older Canadians

1. Demographics
Demographic variables Question Response options/possible values
Education What is the highest level of education that you have completed? No schooling (1); Some elementary school (unfinished) (2); Completed elementary school (3); Some secondary/high school (unfinished) (4); Completed secondary/high school (5); Some technical, community college, CEGEP, Collège Classique (unfinished) (6); Completed technical, community college, CEGEP, Collège Classique (7); Some university (unfinished) (8); Bachelor's degree (9); Master's degree (10); Professional degree or doctorate (11)
Occupation Which of the following best describes your occupation? Self-employed (with or without employees) (1); Working for pay (full- or part-time, includes paid leave) (2); Retired (3); Unemployed/looking for work (4); Student (5); Housewife or Househusband (6); Disabled (7); Work two or more jobs (8); Student and working for pay (9); Housewife or househusband and working for pay (10); Retired and working for pay (11); Other (12)
Province In which province do you reside? AB = 1; BC = 2; MB = 3; NB = 4; NFL = 5; NWT = 6; NS = 7; NV = 8; ON = 9; PEI = 10; QC = 11; SK = 12; YK = 13
Home language Which language do you speak most often at home? French = 1; English = 2; Other = 3
First language What is the principal language you first learned at home in your childhood and that you still understand? French = 1; English = 2; Other = 3
Children Do you have any children? Yes = 1; No = 0
Age of children How old are your children? < 14 = 1; 15–17 = 0, > 18 = 2
Live with parents Do you live with your parents? Yes = 1; No = 0
Citizen Are you a Canadian citizen? Yes = 1; No = 0
Civil or marital status What is your official civil status? Single, never married = 1; Married or in a civil union = 2; living in common law = 3; separated = 4; divorced = 5; widowed = 6
Place of birth Were you born in Canada? Yes = 1; No = 0
2. Issues
State goals Question Response options/possible values
State goals 1 (Post-materialism scale) Here are several goals for Canada. Can you tell us which one you think is most important? Maintaining order in the nation (1); Giving people more say in important political decisions (2); Fighting rising prices (3); Protecting freedom of speech (4)
State goals 2 (Post-materialism scale) Here are several goals for Canada. Can you tell us which one you think is second most important? Maintaining order in the nation (1); Giving people more say in important political decisions (2); Fighting rising prices (3); Protecting freedom of speech (4)
3. Political knowledge
Knowledge questions Question Response Options/Possible Values
Responsibility for healthcare Which level of government has primary responsibility for healthcare? Provincial government = 1; Federal, municipal or don't know = 0
Responsibility for employment insurance Which level of government has primary responsibility for employment insurance? Federal government = 1; Provincial, municipal or don't know = 0
Julie Payette’s position What was the position of these public personalities (Julie Payette) in the past year? Governor General of Canada = 1; All other = 0
Angela Merkel’s position What was the position of these public personalities (Angela Merkel) in the past year? Chancellor of Germany = 1; All other = 0
Chrystia Freeland’s position What was the position of these public personalities (Chrystia Freeland) in the past year? Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada = 1; All other = 0
House of Commons representatives Number of representatives in House of Commons 338 = 1; 153, 285, 441, DK = 0
Campaign promise: dental care Which party promised universal dental care? NDP = 1; All other = 0
Campaign promise: post-secondary fees Which party promised to abolish post-secondary tuition? Green Party = 1; All other = 0
Campaign promises: guns Which party promised to ban semi-automatic rifles? Liberal = 1; All other = 0
Campaign promise: carbon tax Which party promised to abolish the carbon tax? Conservative = 1; All other = 0
4. Voter turnout
Variable summary Question Response options/possible values
Underage voters’ preference for voting If 16- and 17-year-old citizens would have had the right to vote in this election, would you have gone to vote? Certainly = 1;
Probably = 0.67;
Probably not = 0.33;
Certainly not = 0
Not eligible to vote, decision to vote If you would have had the right to vote in this election, would you have gone to vote? Certainly = 1;
Probably = 0.67;
Probably not = 0.33;
Certainly not = 0
Voting in 2019 In each election we find that a lot of people were not able to vote because they were not registered, they were sick, or they did not have time. Which of the following statements best describes you? I did not vote in the October 21st federal election = 1; I thought about voting this time but didn't = 2; I usually vote but didn't this time = 3; I am sure I voted in this election = 4; I don't remember = 5; I was not eligible to vote = 6
Voted (2015) Four years ago, did you vote in the 2015 federal election? Yes = 1; No = 0
5. Political feelings and opinions
a. Political ideology, interest and news
Variable summary Question Response options/possible values
Political interests How interested would you say you are in politics and public issues? Are you: [select from response options] Very interested = 1; Somewhat interested = 0.67; Somewhat uninterested = 0.33; Not interested at all = 0
Frequency of consulting political news How often do you follow political news? Several times/day = 1; Once/day = 0.75; Several times/week = 0.5; Once–twice/week = 0.25; Never = 0
Discuss politics with parents How often do you talk about politics and public issues with your parents? Very often = 1; Often = 0.75; Sometimes = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Discuss politics with friends How often do you talk about politics and public issues with your friends? Very often = 1; Often = 0.75; Sometimes = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Discuss politics with partner How often do you talk about politics and public issues with your partner? Very often = 1; Often = 0.75; Sometimes = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Discuss politics with children How often do you talk about politics and public issues with your children? Very often = 1; Often = 0.75; Sometimes = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Discuss politics with work colleagues How often do you talk about politics and public issues with your work colleagues? Very often = 1; Often = 0.75; Sometimes = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Discuss politics with teachers How often do you talk about politics and public issues with your teacher(s)? Very often = 1; Often = 0.75; Sometimes = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Participation in mock election In the past, did you participate in a mock election program in primary school or in high school? (for example: Student Vote) Yes, several times = 1; Yes, once or twice = 0.5; No = 0
Participation in citizenship education When you were in high school, did you take any courses where you learned about government and politics? Yes = 1; No = 0; DK = 0 (–98 in original variable)
Contacted by political party In this last election, were you directly contacted by a political party or candidate? Yes = 1; No = 0; DK = 0 (–98 in original variable)
Important decisions by politicians or citizens Who do you think should make important policy decisions: citizens or elected politicians? Scale from Citizens = 0 to Politicians = 1
Is voting a duty? For you personally, is voting first and foremost a choice or a duty? Duty = 1; Choice = 0
b. Campaign activities
Partisan or party activities Question: Have you done any of these activities in the past weeks: Response options/ possible values
Info session Attended an event or an information session on the elections Yes = 1; No = 0
Looked up info Searched for information on the election, candidates or political parties Yes = 1; No = 0
Used Vote Compass Used the Vote Compass (a voting aid application, hosted on the CBC webpage) Yes = 1; No = 0
Watched debate Watched one of the leaders' debates Yes = 1; No = 0
Attended debate Attended a political debate at your school or university Yes = 1; No = 0
c. Participation frequency in past 12 months
Social/democratic engagement Question: In the last 12 months, how often have you... Response options/possible values
Petitions Signed a petition? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Environmental protests Taken part in an environmental march or protest? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Political protests Taken part in a political march or protest? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Donations Raised or donated money for a cause? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Contacted officials Contacted a politician or government official? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Community meetings Attended a community meeting about a local issue? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Volunteering Volunteered work for an organization? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Share information online Shared political information or content online? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
Boycott Bought or boycotted certain products for political, environmental or ethical reasons? Several times = 1; Once or twice = 0.5; Never = 0
d. Climate activity
Climate change activities and efforts Question: Here is a list of activities people might do to address climate change. Generally speaking, how frequently, if at all, do you do the following to address climate change? Response options/possible values
Convince others Try to convince family and friends to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviours? Almost always = 1; Often = 0.75; Occasionally = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Buy local Favour the purchase of local over non-local goods, foods or services? Almost always = 1; Often = 0.75; Occasionally = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Avoid meat Avoid eating meat? Almost always = 1; Often = 0.75; Occasionally = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Buy second-hand or used items Prioritize buying used items? Almost always = 1; Often = 0.75; Occasionally = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Eco-friendly transport or commuting Use public transit, walk or bike instead of taking the car? Almost always = 1; Often = 0.75; Occasionally = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Living space temperature Lower the thermostats from about 2 to 4°C at night or when you leave your house? Almost always = 1; Often = 0.75; Occasionally = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
Posted or shared info online Share info about environmental issues online? Almost always = 1; Often = 0.75; Occasionally = 0.5; Rarely = 0.25; Never = 0
6. Attitudes
a. Political attitudes
Variable name Question: Please tell us if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements. Response options/possible values
Parliament disinterested in regular folks Members of Parliament do not care much about what people like me think. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Regular folks have no say in federal decisions People like me don’t have any say about what the federal government in Ottawa does. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Politics are too complicated Sometimes politics and government seem so complicated that a person like me can't really understand what's going on. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Political parties only care about votes Political parties are only interested in my vote and not in my opinions. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Trust federal government about information The federal government can be trusted to protect the personal info of Canadians. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Ease of voting (those who have voted) Voting in a federal election is easy and convenient. [asked to those who have voted] Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Perceived ease of voting (those who are ineligible to vote) Voting in a federal election seems easy and convenient. [asked to those not eligible to vote] Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
b. Materialism
Materialism scale Statement: How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Response options/possible values
Admire expensive goods I admire people who own expensive homes, cars and clothes. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Happiness is about purchases I'd be happier if I could afford to buy more things. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Purchases create pleasure Buying things gives me a lot of pleasure. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Success is based on money The things I own say a lot about how well I'm doing in life. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Luxury is important I like a lot of luxury in my life. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
Improve life through purchases My life would be better if I owned certain things that I don’t have. Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
c. Trust levels
Trust Statement Response options/possible values
Generalized trust Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, or that you need to be very careful when dealing with people? Please indicate your position on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means “you need to be very careful when dealing with people” and 10 means “most people can be trusted.” You need to be very careful with people = 0; (…); Most people can be trusted = 1
Police Please indicate how much confidence you have in the police. A lot = 1; Somewhat = 0.67; Not much = 0.33; Not at all = 0
Provincial government Please indicate how much confidence you have in the provincial government. A lot = 1; Somewhat = 0.67; Not much = 0.33; Not at all = 0
Federal government Please indicate how much confidence you have in the federal government. A lot = 1; Somewhat = 0.67; Not much = 0.33; Not at all = 0
Elections Canada Please indicate how much confidence you have in Elections Canada. A lot = 1; Somewhat = 0.67; Not much = 0.33; Not at all = 0
Traditional journalism Please indicate how much confidence you have in the following sources of information. Traditional journalism (mainstream media outlets in print, on television, and online) A lot = 1; Somewhat = 0.67; Not much = 0.33; Not at all = 0
Social media Please indicate how much confidence you have in the following sources of information. News information posted on social media (not including people's personal opinions) A lot = 1; Somewhat = 0.67; Not much = 0.33; Not at all = 0
d. Party identification
Variable Question Response options/possible values
Party ID strength How [party selected in first PID question] do you feel? Very strongly = 1; Somewhat strongly = 0.5; Not very strongly = 0
e. Youth question
  Question Response options/possible values
Youth work at poll During a federal election, Elections Canada hires and pays local people who are 16 years old or more to work at the polls in their area. How interested would you be in working at the polls in a federal election? Very interested = 1; Somewhat interested = 0.67; Not very interested = 0.33; Not at all interested = 0
Youth voter registration To vote in a federal election, you need to be registered on the list of electors. Even if you have to be 18 years old to vote, it is now possible to register to vote starting at 14 years old. If you think about registering to vote before turning 18, tell us what your preferred option would be. To register at school with an online form (1); To register at school with a paper form (2); To register at home with an online form (3); To register at home with a paper form (4); That my parents register me (5); I am not interested in registering to vote before the age of 18 (6); I don't know (–98)
Lower voting age There have been discussions in the past about changing voting rights in Canada. Do you agree or disagree with the idea of lowering the voting age to 16 years old? Strongly agree = 1; Somewhat agree = 0.75; Neutral = 0.5; Somewhat disagree = 0.25; Strongly disagree = 0
f. News sources
Sources of news Question: What sources do you rely on MOST to obtain social and political information? Please choose all that apply. Response options/possible values
TV Television news broadcast Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
Radio Radio news broadcast Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
Print Print newspaper Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
Websites or apps Websites or "apps" for television/radio station or newspaper Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
News aggregator News aggregators (such as Google News) Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
Social media Social networking sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter) Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
Social news Social news sites (such as Reddit or Digg) Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
Independent Independent news media Main source = 1; Not main source = 0
Other Other, please specify Main source = 1; Not main source = 0