As a cross-sectoral firm, we have a track record of success in the following major areas:
Agriculture & Forestry
We have supported provincial/territorial and national agriculture and forestry stakeholders through a variety of projects, including evaluations of initiatives, large-scale surveys of employers and workers in these sectors, and SWOT analyses. We have examined issues such as employer finances, perceptions of the industry as a place to work, training availability and needs, and supporting workers in times of economic downturn.
Arts & Culture
We consulted with, and completed research on behalf of, many national, provincial/territorial, and local arts and culture organizations. This has included evaluations of arts and culture initiatives, surveys of visitors to museums and art galleries, public awareness surveys, and consulting on making arts and culture institutions more self-sustaining.
Childcare & Early Learning
In the domain of childcare and early learning, we supported the assessment of provincial low-cost child care in Alberta and British Columbia through two large-scale evaluations, including an assessment of the social return on investment (SROI) of these initiatives. We have also conducted other research and consulting on childcare and early learning, such as surveys of parents and guardians about their childcare needs, broader community engagement about childcare needs, assessments of the readiness of young children for kindergarten, quality of life research related to early life, and examinations of the child care and early learning workforce (e.g. regulation, recruitment, and retention).
Education
We have been completing research in K-12 and post-secondary education for more than three decades. Our experience spans national and provincial surveys of students, early leavers, and graduates; surveys of educators and administrative staff members; evaluations and reviews of education initiatives; and other activities. We have examined a wide variety of topics, including alumni social and economic impacts, educators’ time use, graduate satisfaction and outcomes, reasons for transition/non-transition between K-12 and post-secondary, and educational financing.
Environment
Our environmental consulting has included evaluations of environmental initiatives; assessments of the impact of extreme weather and climate change on industry, communities, and individuals; and data collection to support estimates of greenhouse gases (GHG) generation.
Gender Equality
We have examined issues of gender equality in terms of women’s recruitment and retention into industries in which they have been historically underrepresented, maternity leave, and time usage. We have also been involved in projects that have examined gender-based violence and looked for ways to address this violence in our society. Recognizing the intersectional nature of this work, many of our researchers have completed Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) training from Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada.
Health
We have completed health and mental health research and consultations for federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal/regional governments across dozens of projects. This has included large-scale surveys of current and former healthcare patients, major evaluations and reviews of health initiatives such as primary care networks, gap analyses and needs assessments, and general population surveys related to health care access.
Housing
Our work related to housing has spanned across evaluations and reviews of social and supportive housing initiatives, surveys of individuals related to housing and housing-related products (e.g. mortgages, warranties), gap analyses, and needs assessments. In completing this work, we have consulted with numerous housing stakeholders, including individuals with the lived experience of being unhoused as well as those at risk of becoming unhoused. We have examined the housing needs of individuals at all stages of life, including youth, families, people with disabilities, seniors, and people with multiple barriers.
Immigration
Our immigration research and consulting has included a variety of projects, including evaluations of initiatives designed to support integration and settlement, needs assessments and gap analyses related to settlement, surveys of industry perceptions of newcomer integration, and research and consulting on the assessment of international credentials. This research has been undertaken in Canada as well as internationally. We have consulted with tens of thousands of newcomers and refugees to Canada, which has been supported by the more than 25 languages in which our survey staff members are fluent.
Issues Affecting Indigenous People
We have undertaken numerous projects related to issues that disproportionately affect Indigenous populations, including studies related to health, mental health, K-12 education, workforce integration, and post-secondary education and training. This work has been completed in provinces and territories across Canada as well as all three territories, and has included interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Our researchers have completed training to support this work to ensure that it is completed with a high level of cultural sensitivity.
Justice, Policing and Public Safety
Our work related to justice has included evaluations and reviews of court initiatives, court models, restorative justice, programs designed to reduce the criminal involvement of at-risk youth, and programs to support victims of crime. We have also supported planning, performance measurement, and the administrative functions of policing and the justice system. In addition, we have completed large general population surveys to assess the public’s perceptions of policing and safety.
Labour
We have evaluated numerous labour initiatives, such as training and re-training programs. Our work has focused on issues such as the recruitment and retention of youth, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, seniors, and individuals working in industries in decline. In addition, we have worked directly with numerous industries and industry associations to assess their human resource needs. This has included assessments of current and forecasted future supply and demand, determination of perceptions of the industry, and developing plans to support training, recruitment and retention.
Philanthropy and Corporate Giving
Our work with programs funded through philanthropy and corporate giving has included evaluations designed to better understand and highlight the social impacts of programming activities among individuals and communities. This work ensures both program staff and funders understand how their investments are working to improve the lives of program recipients and drive change.
Tourism
We have worked with regional, provincial/territorial, and national stakeholders to support the tourism industry. Our consulting in this area has included labour market research (e.g. supply and demand issues), visitor experience surveys, travel intention surveys, visitor expenditure studies, and stakeholder surveys. We have also assessed the impact of unexpected or unprecedented events (e.g. environmental disasters) on the tourism industry. In completing this work, we have undertaken field work across the country, including at secured areas such as airports and landports.
Transportation
We support municipal/regional and federal transportation planners and engineers by collecting and reporting on the movement of people and goods. Common types of research we have completed in this area include origin-destination/travel surveys, goods movement surveys, travel time surveys, and classification and occupancy counts. Our work has encompassed real-time and retrospective survey data collection, observational research, and the use of in-vehicle automated data collection. We have also assessed satisfaction with public transit, gathered input via group consultations on transportation infrastructure, completed market research to inform programs and initiatives, and evaluated transportation initiatives. To meet our clients’ complex needs, we have developed Triptelligence™ software to complete the data collection and validation work required to support transportation planning.
Research Standards
We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards of competence, integrity, and transparency in conducting, analyzing, and reporting our work. You can be confident that the resulting research will lead to informed decision-making.
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