Canadian Index of Wellbeing Survey Underway

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 10:43

By Georgia Newman

It measures living standards, health, environmental sustainability, education, and more.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Canadian Index of Wellbeing Survey in Oxford County has opened.

Every Oxford resident over the age of 16 to take the survey and help shape a better future for Oxford. Participants will also have a chance to win one of 10 $100 gift certificates from a local business.

Both Oxford County and Safe and Well Oxford are sponsoring the survey in efforts to create the highest possible quality of life for residents.

Warden Marcus Ryan says they are inviting residents to offer insight on how they can help.

"Oxford is a community that cares. Developing and improving our capacity to measure community health, safety and well-being is a set goal in our Strategic Plan. Through the Canadian Index of Wellbeing Survey, a renowned, trusted and research-backed tool, we are offering our residents a way to let us know how they are doing, and to offer insight to how we can best help."

Results from the survey will be used to update the Safe and Well Oxford Plan. Ensuring the plan reflects the local priorities and needs along with showing trends of areas that are improving or still need attention.

This will be the second time Oxford County will take part in the survey since 2016.

It is used to measure living standards, health, environmental sustainability, community vitality, education, work-life balance, democratic participation, and access and participation in leisure and cultural activities.

The data gathered can be shared with other community organizations in Oxford County to use in planning their programs and services.

Surveys will be accepted until June 15th and the results will be shared in fall.

The Canadian Index of Wellbeing program at the University of Waterloo uses survey results from communities across Canada to measure quality of life at a national level, generating research data, highlighting the current experiences of Canadians, and helping set targets for the future.

You can take the survey online here.