survey

This one is from the Gallup Organization's Place and Happiness Survey, detailed in Richard Florida's 2008 book "Who's Your City?" We've updated the vocabulary just a bit for 2021.

"How would you rate your city as a place to live for the following types of people?"

  • families with children
  • Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC)
  • gay, lesbian, trans and queer
  • new Canadians
  • seniors
  • people living below the poverty line
  • single people
  • people living with disabilities or special needs
  • recent graduates looking for work

The higher the rating for these groups, the more overall happiness in the community. "This is not because we all value diversity as an abstract value," say Florida. "Many people are drawn to open communities on the assumption that it is those communities where they can most easily be themselves."

Food for thought as we enter a multiple election year, and ask ourselves how we want current and would-be representatives to plan for our community, province and country.

(The book is available to borrow from the Community Incubator.  or the Owen Sound North Grey Union Public Library )