Parental Experiences Survey — Supplemental, 2024 (PES)

Getting started

Why are we conducting this survey?

Congratulations to you on the birth of your new baby! We know that this time can be very busy for new parents, but we would like to hear from you about your pregnancy and your early parenting experiences. Answering these questions will help the Public Health Agency of Canada improve the health and wellbeing of parents and families across the country.

The Parental Experiences Survey collects information from Canadian parents on their experiences, knowledge and behaviours regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and access to and use of health care services. The survey aims to paint a more comprehensive picture of new parents and their infants. The results from the survey will help inform national recommendations for maternal and newborn care as well as improve the mental health and well-being of parents and families across Canada.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Although voluntary, your participation is important so that the information collected is as accurate and complete as possible.

Other important information

Authorization and confidentiality

Authorization and confidentiality Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

Record linkages

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the information you provide with other survey or administrative data sources.

Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about record linkage:

Email: infostats@statcan.gc.ca

Telephone: 1-877-949-9492

Mail:
Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Centre for Population Health Data
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6

Eligibility

Are you [First name of partner] [Last name of partner] as provided by your spouse or partner?

  • Yes
  • No

Is there a child living in this household who was born between December 31, 2023 and April 29, 2024?

  • Yes, there is one child who meets this definition
  • Yes, there is more than one child who meets this definition
    e.g., twins
  • No, there are no children who meet this definition

[Since you indicated that you have more than one child living in your household who was born between December 31, 2023 and April 29, 2024, we are asking you to please think about the child who was born first when responding to each question.]

What is this child’s first name?

  • First Name

What was [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s sex at birth?

  • Male
  • Female
  • Indeterminate.

What is your gender?

Gender refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

Is it:

  • Male
  • Female
  • Or please specify
    • Specify your gender

What is your relationship to [[First name of child]/your new baby]?

  • Biological parent
  • Stepparent
  • Adoptive parent
  • Unrelated
  • Other
    • Please specify

Parenting History

The first set of questions in this survey are about how many children you have.

Including [[First name of child]/your new baby], how many children in total do you have?  Include biological, adopted, and stepchildren from your current relationship and any other relationships if applicable.

  • Number of children

How many of these children live with you in your household?

  • Number of children

Have you ever experienced the loss of a child, that is either the loss of a pregnancy by a partner or spouse or the death of a child after birth?

e.g., stillbirth or miscarriage

  • Yes
  • No

Pregnancy Intention

The questions that follow ask about your circumstances and feelings around the time your partner or spouse became pregnant with [[First name of child]/your new baby].

How planned was your partner or spouse’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]?

Was it:

  • Highly planned
  • Quite planned
  • Neither planned nor unplanned
  • Quite unplanned
  • Highly unplanned

When you first realized your partner or spouse was pregnant, what was your reaction?

Were you:

  • Very happy
  • Somewhat happy
  • Neither happy nor unhappy
  • Somewhat unhappy
  • Very unhappy

Pregnancy and Birth

The next few questions are about your experiences during your partner or spouse’s pregnancy and the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby].

How often did you attend prenatal health care appointments with your partner or spouse?

e.g., ultrasounds, medical check-ups

  • Always
  • Often
  • Sometimes
  • Rarely
  • Never

Which of the following describes why you did not attend more prenatal visits?

Please select all that apply.

Would you say that:

  • You had to work
  •  You did not have anyone to take care of your other children
  • The health care provider or hospital staff did not allow you to join the visits
  • You did not want to go to the appointments
  • Your partner or spouse did not feel it was necessary
  • Other
    • Specify other reason

To what extent do you agree with the following statement:

You felt included by health care providers during prenatal visits.

Would you say:

  • Always
  • Often
  • Sometimes
  • Rarely
  • Never

Were you present during the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby]?

  • Yes
  • No

Which of the following describes why you were not present during the birth?

Select all that apply.

  • You had to work
  • You did not have anyone to take care of your other children
  • The health care provider or hospital staff did not allow you to be present
  • You did not want to be present at the birth
  • Your partner or spouse did not feel it was necessary
  • Other
    • Specify other reason

During the birth, to what degree did you feel any of the following emotions?

  1. Helpless
    • Extremely
    • Somewhat
    • Not at all
  2. Supported
    • Extremely
    • Somewhat
    • Not at all
  3. Overwhelmed
    • Extremely
    • Somewhat
    • Not at all
  4. Fearful
    • Extremely
    • Somewhat
    • Not at all
  5. Happy
    • Extremely
    • Somewhat
    • Not at all
  6. Traumatized
    • Extremely
    • Somewhat
    • Not at all
  7. Grateful
    • Extremely
    • Somewhat
    • Not at all

To what extent do you agree with the following statement:

You felt included by health care providers during the birth.

  • Always
  • Often
  • Sometimes
  • Rarely
  • Never

Some people report difficult interactions with health care providers during pregnancy, labour, birth and after birth.

During your partner or spouse’s pregnancy, you felt that you were treated poorly by your partner or spouse’s care provider because of:

Select all that apply.

  • Not applicable; you were not treated poorly
  • Your race, ethnicity, cultural background or language
  • Your sexual orientation or gender identity
  • Your financial situation
  • A difference of opinion with caregivers about the right care for your partner or spouse or the baby
  • Your weight or body size
  • The fact that you were not the parent who was pregnant or giving birth
  • Your mental health status

During your partner or spouse’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby], did you have enough information about the following topics?

  1. Physical and emotional changes your partner or spouse could experience while pregnant
    • Yes
    • No
  2. What to expect during labour and the birth
    • Yes
    • No
  3. What you could do to support your partner or your spouse during labour and the birth
    • Yes
    • No

Infant Feeding

The next few questions are about your experiences feeding [[First name of child]/your new baby]. The term “breastfeeding” in this section refers to feeding directly at the breast, also known as “chest-feeding”, or the feeding of expressed breastmilk.

When [[First name of child]/your new baby] was born, what did you think about [her/him] being breastfed?

Think about your own feelings, even if you left the decision up to your partner or spouse.

Would you say:

  • You wanted [[First name of child]/your new baby] to be breastfed
  • You did not want [[First name of child]/your new baby] to be breastfed
  • You had no opinion about whether [[First name of child]/your new baby] would be breastfed
  • Other
    • Specify other opinion

Was [[First name of child]/your new baby] breastfed or given breast milk even if only for a short time?

  • Yes
  • No

When [[First name of child]/your new baby] was or is being fed, how often did or do you do any of the following?

  1. Help to create a comfortable environment for your partner or spouse and baby
    e.g., bringing pillows or a glass of water
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always
  2. Feed [[First name of child]/your new baby] yourself with expressed breastmilk or formula
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always
  3. Provide emotional support to your partner or spouse
    e.g., words of encouragement or acts of affection
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always
  4. Provide informational support to your partner or spouse
    e.g., troubleshooting feeding issues
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always
  5. Burp or cuddle with [[First name of child]/your new baby] after [her/his] feeding
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always

Parenthood and Family Life

The transition to parenthood, whether first-time or again, is a unique experience filled with change and new emotions. The first couple of questions in this section ask you about your feelings about parenthood.

To what extent do you agree with the following statements:

  1. You are excited about being a parent
    • Strongly disagree
    • Disagree
    • Agree
    • Strongly agree
  2. You feel confident in your abilities to be a parent
    • Strongly disagree
    • Disagree
    • Agree
    • Strongly agree
  3. Being a parent is stressful
    • Strongly disagree
    • Disagree
    • Agree
    • Strongly agree

Please describe [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s behaviour in the past 4 weeks.

  1. [First name of child]/Your new baby] cries
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always
  2. [First name of child]/Your new baby] has feeding difficulties
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always
  3. [First name of child]/Your new baby] has difficulty sleeping
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always
  4. [First name of child]/Your new baby] is difficult to soothe
    • Never
    • Rarely
    • Sometimes
    • Often
    • Always

Many people experience changes in their relationship with their partner or spouse following the birth of a baby. The next questions are about the impact of the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby] on your relationship.

We know it might be uncomfortable to share information about your relationship, but please remember your responses will be kept confidential and are important for understanding the experiences of Canadian parents.

To what extent has there been a change in each of the following relationship areas, comparing your relationship with your partner or spouse now to your relationship just before your partner or spouse became pregnant:

  1. Feeling satisfied with your relationship
    • Much more
    • More
    • The same as before
    • Less
    • Much less
  2. Feeling close or emotionally intimate with your partner
    • Much more
    • More
    • The same as before
    • Less
    • Much less
  3. Arguing with your partner or spouse
    • Much more
    • More
    • The same as before
    • Less
    • Much less
  4. Feeling satisfied with the overall quality of your sex life
    • Much more
    • More
    • The same as before
    • Less
    • Much less
  5. Being committed to your relationship
    • Much more
    • More
    • The same as before
    • Less
    • Much less

Using a scale of 0 to 6, where 0 means "Not true of us" and 6 means "Very true of us", select the response that best describes the way you and your partner or spouse work together as parents.

  1. You believe your partner is a good parent
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  2. Your relationship with your partner is stronger now than before you had a child
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  3. Your partner pays a great deal of attention to your child
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  4. Your partner likes to play with your child and then leave dirty work to you
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  5. You and your partner have the same goals for your child
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  6. You and your partner have different ideas about how to raise your child
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  7. Your partner tries to show that they are better than you at caring for your child
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  8. Your partner does not carry their fair share of the parenting work
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  9. Your partner undermines your parenting
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  10. You are growing and maturing together through experiences as parents
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  11. Your partner appreciates how hard you work at being a good parent
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us
  12. Your partner makes you feel like you’re the best possible parent for your child
    • 0 — Not true of us
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6 — Very true of us

Social Support

The next question is about your current relationships with friends, family members, co-workers and community members.

Family members include a partner or spouse.

Please indicate to what extent each statement describes your current relationships with other people.

  1. You have close relationships that provide you with a sense of emotional security and wellbeing
    • Strongly agree
    • Agree
    • Disagree
    • Strongly Disagree
  2. There is someone you could talk to about important decisions in your life
    • Strongly agree
    • Agree
    • Disagree
    • Strongly Disagree
  3. You have relationships where your competence and skill are recognized
    • Strongly agree
    • Agree
    • Disagree
    • Strongly Disagree
  4. You feel part of a group of people who share your attitudes and beliefs
    • Strongly agree
    • Agree
    • Disagree
    • Strongly Disagree
  5. There are people you can count on in an emergency
    • Strongly agree
    • Agree
    • Disagree
    • Strongly Disagree

Height and Weight

The next few questions ask about your physical health.

Overall, how would you rate your current physical health?

Would you say it is:

  • Excellent
  • Very good
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor

How tall are you?

  • Feet
  • Inches
    OR
  • Centimetres

How much do you weigh now?

  • Weight in kilograms
    OR
  • Weight in pounds

Mental Health

A new baby can bring a range of emotions, including feeling down or anxious. The next questions are about your emotional and mental health. We understand it might be difficult to discuss some of these topics. Should you need them, a list of resources is available by pressing on the Help button.

Remember that all the information you provide is strictly confidential and is important for understanding the experiences of Canadian parents.

In general, how is your mental health now?

  • Excellent
  • Very good
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor

During your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or after the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby], did you experience any challenges with your emotional or mental health?

  • Yes
  • No

When did these symptoms first begin?

  • Before your spouse or partner’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • During the first trimester of your spouse or partner’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • During the second trimester of your spouse or partner’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • During the third trimester of your spouse or partner’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • Less than a month after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth
  • 1-3 months after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth
  • 4-6 months after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth
  • More than 6 months after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth

Are these symptoms still ongoing?

  • Yes
  • No

How long did these symptoms last?

  • Less than 2 weeks
  • 2 to 4 weeks
  • More than 1 month to less than 3 months
  • More than 3 months

The next set of questions asks you to think back to a two-week period during your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth when you were feeling the worst in terms of your mental or emotional health.

When was this two-week period when you were feeling your worst?

  • Within the last two weeks or you are still feeling this way
  • During the first trimester of your partner or spouse’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • During the second trimester of your partner or spouse’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • During the third trimester of your partner or spouse’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • Less than a month after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth
  • 1-3 months after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth
  • 4-6 months after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth
  • More than 6 months after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth

Thinking back to this time, how often did you feel any of the following?

  1. You felt able to laugh or see the funny side of things
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  2. You were able to look forward to things with excitement
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  3. You blamed yourself unnecessarily when things went wrong
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  4. You felt anxious or worried for no good reason
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  5. You felt scared or panicky for no good reason
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  6. You felt overwhelmed
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  7. You were so unhappy that you had difficulty sleeping
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  8. You felt sad or miserable
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  9. You were so unhappy that you cried
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never
  10. The thought of harming yourself occurred to you
    • Often
    • Sometimes
    • Rarely
    • Never

During this two-week period when you were feeling your worst, how often did these feelings or thoughts cause you problems with your day-to-day life?

e.g., doing your work, taking care of things at home, or getting along with other people.

Would you say:

  • Often
  • Sometimes
  • Rarely
  • Never

Please continue to think back to this same two-week period during your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or after [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth when you were feeling the worst in terms of your mental or emotional health. 

How often were you bothered by the following problems?

  1. Felt nervous, anxious or on edge
    • Not at all
    • Several days
    • More than half of the days
    • Nearly every day
  2. Were not able to stop or control worrying
    • Not at all
    • Several days
    • More than half of the days
    • Nearly every day
  3. Worried too much about different things
    • Not at all
    • Several days
    • More than half of the days
    • Nearly every day
  4. Had trouble relaxing
    • Not at all
    • Several days
    • More than half of the days
    • Nearly every day
  5. Were so restless that it was hard to sit still
    • Not at all
    • Several days
    • More than half of the days
    • Nearly every day
  6. Became easily annoyed or irritable
    • Not at all
    • Several days
    • More than half of the days
    • Nearly every day
  7. Felt afraid as if something awful might happen
    • Not at all
    • Several days
    • More than half of the days
    • Nearly every day

Sometimes things happen during pregnancy, while giving birth or immediately afterwards that are unusually or especially frightening or traumatic. For example, your partner or spouse or your baby was seriously ill, or your partner or spouse or your baby almost died.

Did you experience this kind of event during your partner or spouse’s pregnancy, [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth or immediately afterwards?

  • Yes
  • No

Following this event, did you experience any of the following?

  1. Had bad dreams or nightmares about the event or thought about the event when you did not want to
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Tried hard not to think about the event or went out of your way to avoid situations that reminded you of the event
    • Yes
    • No
  3. Were constantly on guard, watchful or easily startled
    • Yes
    • No
  4. Felt numb or detached from people, activities or your surroundings
    • Yes
    • No
  5. Felt guilty or unable to stop blaming yourself or others for the event or any problems the event may have caused
    • Yes
    • No

At any time during your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or since the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby], did you experience any of the following?

  1. Experienced unwanted thoughts, images or impulses that repeatedly enter your mind, despite trying to get rid of them
    e.g., worries about dirt or germs or thoughts of bad things happening
    • Yes
    • No
  2. Felt driven to repeat certain acts over and over
    e.g., repeatedly washing your hands, cleaning, checking doors or work over and over, rearranging things to get it just right or having to repeat thoughts in your mind to feel better
    • Yes
    • No

Have you ever been diagnosed with any of the following by a health care professional?

Select all that apply.

  • Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
  • Bipolar and related disorder
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder
  • Other mental health disorder
    • Specify other mental health disorder
    OR
  • No, you have never been diagnosed with any mental health disorder

How old were you when you were diagnosed with Schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with a bipolar or related disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with a major depressive disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with panic disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with a posttraumatic stress disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with an alcohol or substance use disorder?

  • Age in years

How old were you when you were diagnosed with an other mental health disorder?

  • Age in years

Have you ever attempted suicide or tried to take your own life?

  • Yes
  • No

When was this?

Select all that apply. 

  • Before your partner or spouse’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • During your partner or spouse’s pregnancy with [[First name of child]/your new baby]
  • After the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby]

Now some questions about use of health services for emotional or mental health.

During your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or since the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby], did any health care provider ask you about your mental or emotional health?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don’t remember

Which type of health care provider was this?

Select all that apply. 

  • Obstetrician or gynaecologist (OBGYN)
  • Family doctor or general practitioner (GP)
  • Midwife
  • Nurse or nurse practitioner
  • Other
    • Specify other health care provider

At any time during your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or since the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby], did you receive professional help for symptoms you were experiencing related to your emotional or mental health?

  • Yes
  • No

At any time during your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or since the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby], did you visit the emergency room or stay in a hospital overnight because of your emotional or mental health?

  • Yes
  • No

Did you receive any form of treatment such as counseling or medication?

  • Yes
  • No

Which treatment did you receive?

Select all that apply. 

  • Counseling
  • Medication
  • Other
    • Specify other treatment

In general, how much would you say the counseling helped you?

  • A lot
  • Some
  • A little
  • Not at all

In general, how much would you say the medication helped you?

  • A lot
  • Some
  • A little
  • Not at all

In general, how much would you say the other treatment helped you?

  • A lot
  • Some
  • A little
  • Not at all

During your partner or spouse’s pregnancy or since the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby], was there ever a time when you felt that you needed professional care for a problem with your emotions or mental health, but you didn’t receive it?

  • Yes
  • No

Why didn’t you receive the mental health care you needed?

Select all that apply.

Would you say:

  • No appointments were available or wait times were too long
  • The care available was not helpful or satisfactory
  • You didn't know how or where to get care
  • You were too busy
  • You had trouble finding or affording transportation
  • You couldn't afford to pay
  • Lack of support from partner or spouse or family members for seeking help
  • You didn’t have anyone to take care of your children
  • You were afraid of what others would think of you
  • Language barriers
  • Other
    • Specify other reason

Substance Use 

These next questions will ask you about substance use during your partner’s or spouse’s pregnancy. A reminder that all of your answers are kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes.

We’ll start with a question about cigarette smoking.

Include ready-made cigarettes as well as those you make yourself.

Exclude e-cigarettes or vaping devices.

When your partner or spouse was pregnant, did you smoke cigarettes daily, occasionally or not at all?

  • Daily
  • Occasionally
  • Not at all

The next section is about vaping or using e-cigarettes. "Vaping" involves using devices that heat liquid into vapour that you inhale.

Include:

  • vaping e-liquid with nicotine and without nicotine i.e., just flavouring
  • all e-cigarettes, vape mods, vaporizers and vape pens.

Exclude vaping cannabis.

When your partner or spouse was pregnant, did you use electronic vapour products daily, occasionally or not at all?

e.g., e-cigarettes, vapes

  • Daily
  • Occasionally
  • Not at all

How often did electronic vapour products you used contain nicotine?

  • Always
  • Often
  • Sometimes
  • Rarely
  • Never

The next section is about drinking alcohol. 
 
For the purpose of this survey, a drink means: 

  • 341 ml or 12 oz. of beer or cooler (bottle, can, or draft)
  • 142 ml or 5 oz. of wine
  • 43 ml or 1.5 oz. of liquor or spirit (straight or mixed).

Include light beer. 

Exclude de-alcoholised beer or coolers (0.5% alcohol) or mocktails such as Virgin Mary or Shirley Temple. 

When your partner or spouse was pregnant, did you have alcoholic beverages daily, occasionally or not at all?

  • Daily
  • Occasionally
  • Not at all

The next question is about smoking cannabis. For the purpose of this survey, "cannabis" also refers to the terms marijuana, pot or hashish. Include smoking in a joint, bong or pipe, eating or drinking cannabis products or vaping cannabis.

When your partner or spouse was pregnant, did you use cannabis daily, occasionally or not at all (also known as marijuana, weed, pot or MJ)?

  • Daily
  • Occasionally
  • Not at all

Experience of Childhood Abuse

The next question is about things that may have happened to you before you were 16 years old in your school, in your neighbourhood, or in your family. Your responses are important whether or not you have had any of these experiences. Remember that all information provided is strictly confidential.

Before you were 16 years old, how many times did any of the following things happen to you?

  1. Seeing or hearing any one of your parents, step-parents or guardians hit each other or another adult in your home
    • Never
    • 1 or 2 times
    • 3-5 times
    • 6-10 times
    • More than 10 times
  2. An adult slapping you on the face, head or ears or hitting or spanking you with something hard to hurt you
    • Never
    • 1 or 2 times
    • 3-5 times
    • 6-10 times
    • More than 10 times
  3. An adult pushing, grabbing, shoving or throwing something at you to hurt you
    • Never
    • 1 or 2 times
    • 3-5 times
    • 6-10 times
    • More than 10 times
  4. An adult kicking, biting, punching, choking, burning you, or physically attacking you in some way
    • Never
    • 1 or 2 times
    • 3-5 times
    • 6-10 times
    • More than 10 times
  5. A parent or other adult caregiver saying things that really hurt your feelings or made you feel like you were not wanted or loved
    • Never
    • 1 or 2 times
    • 3-5 times
    • 6-10 times
    • More than 10 times
  6. An adult touching you in a sexual way when you didn't want them to
    e.g., touch the private parts of your body or make you touch their private parts, threaten, or try to have sex with you or sexually force themselves on you
    • Never
    • 1 or 2 times
    • 3-5 times
    • 6-10 times
    • More than 10 times

Sociodemographic Information

Now, some general questions which will help us compare the health and parenting experiences of people in Canada. 

What is your date of birth?

  • Year
  • Month
  • Day

What is your age?

  • Age in years

Indigenous identity

Are you First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?

First Nations (North American Indian) includes Status and Non-Status Indians.

If “Yes”, select the responses that best describes you now.

  • No, not First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit
    OR
  • Yes, First Nations (North American Indian)
  • Yes, Métis
  • Yes, Inuk (Inuit)

Sociodemographic characteristics

The following question collects information to support programs that promote equal opportunity for everyone to share in the social, cultural and economic life of Canada.

Are you:

Select all that apply.

  • White
  • South Asian
    e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan
  • Chinese
  • Black
  • Filipino
  • Arab
  • Latin American
  • Southeast Asian
    e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai
  • West Asian
    e.g., Iranian, Afghan
  • Korean
  • Japanese
  • Other
    • Specify other group

Place of birth, immigration and citizenship

Where were you born?

Specify place of birth according to present boundaries.

  • Born in Canada
  • Born outside Canada
    • Select the country
      To search for a country, type the first few letters to narrow down the choices.
      Note: If the country is not listed, select “Other”.
      • Specify other country

In what year did you first come to Canada to live?

If exact year is not known, enter best estimate.

  • Year of arrival

Are you now, or have you ever been a landed immigrant?

A “landed immigrant” (permanent resident) is a person who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities.

  • Yes
  • No

In what year did you first become a landed immigrant?

If exact year is not known, enter best estimate.

  • Year of immigration

Of what country are you a citizen?

Select all that apply.

Are you a citizen of:

  • Canada
    • Is it:
      • By birth
      • By naturalization
        i.e., the process by which an immigrant is granted citizenship of Canada, under the Citizenship Act.
  • Another country
    • Select the country
      To search for a country, type the first few letters to narrow down the choices.
      Note: If the country is not listed, select “Other”.
      • Specify other country

Education

What is the highest certificate, diploma or degree that you have completed?

  • Less than high school diploma or its equivalent
  • High school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate
  • Trades certificate or diploma
  • College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma (other than trades certificates or diplomas)
  • University certificate or diploma below the bachelor’s level
  • Bachelor’s degree
    e.g., B.A., B.A. (Hons), B.Sc., B.Ed., LL.B.
  • University certificate, diploma or degree above the bachelor’s level

Main activity

In the year before [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth, did you work at a job or business?

Regardless of the numbers of hours.

  • Yes
  • No

In the year before [[First name of child]/your new baby]’s birth, what was your main activity?

If the main activity was “sickness” or “short-term illness”, indicate the usual main activity.

Was it:

  • Looking for paid work
  • Going to school
  • Caring for your children
  • Household work
  • Retired
  • Maternity, paternity or parental leave
  • Long term illness
  • Volunteering or care-giving other than for your children
  • Other
    • Specify the main activity

Did you take a break from working for a week or more after the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby]?

Include parental leave, sick leave, vacation or unpaid leave.

  • Yes
  • No

How long was this break or will this break be from working?

  • Number of weeks
    OR
  • Number of months

Since the birth of [[First name of child]/your new baby], have you received maternity, paternity, parental or adoption benefits with the federal Employment Insurance program or Employment Insurance with the Québec Parental Insurance Plan?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don’t know

What do you think was the main reason that you did not receive EI or QPIP benefits?

  • You were working or expecting to return to work
  • You were not contributing to EI or QPIP
    e.g., self-employed, working outside of Canada
  • You had not worked enough hours to qualify
  • You quit or were dismissed from your job without an eligible cause
  • You quit your job to attend school
  • You were retired
  • You were not looking for work or not available to work
    e.g., leave of absence, sick, on vacation, out of the country
  • You were receiving other payments
    e.g., disability, welfare or severance payments
  • You were waiting to receive benefits
    e.g., serving waiting period, claim being processed
  • You had already received all of the EI or QPIP benefits available to you
  • Other
    • Specify other reason
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