Canadian Index of Wellbeing

A bold step has been taken to recognize and keep track of issues that concern Canadians. A Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) is launched.

From their website:

"If you've ever wondered How Canadians are REALLY doing, you're in the right place. A newly released report shows that: even in good economic times the lion's share of benefits go to the wealthy while the poor stay poor and the shrinking middle class muddles through; Canadians are living longer but not healthier health among teenagers is especially worrying; but crime is down and social relationships in our communities are stronger. The report also shows that cuts or lack of improvements to government programs like welfare, Employment Insurance and publicly funded medical services are hurting Canadians."

Visit their website at http://www.ciw.ca/

The Next Step: is to make such a detailed look at well-being official.

The Canadian government did not respond when the House of Commons passed Motion M-385: "That, in the opinion of this House, the government should develop and report annually on a set of social, environmental and economic indicators of the health and well-being of people, communities and ecosystems in Canada." The Atkinson Charitable Foundation, however, was keen to see such measures developed and provided the start up funding that lead to the Institute of Wellbeing and its Canadian Index

The debate in the House of Commons is recorded at:

http://www.SustainWellBeing.net/7GI/Hansard-June2-03.shtml

An explanation of some of the ways in which a well-being can be measured are posted at:

http://www.SustainWellBeing.net/well-beingtopics.shtml

Encourage your MP to support well-being measurement.

His or her contact information can be found by phoning 1 (800) 622-6232
or at: http://www.parl.gc.ca ("Current Parliamentarians" is top and centre on this Government of Canada web site)

Articles:

Experts develop measure that looks beyond GDP
to gage quality of life and spur policy change.
http://www.thestar.com/Article/648320

Editorial - An Index of wellbeing
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/648167

Article by Roy Romanow, Chair of the Institute of Wellbeing,
which is developing the CIW.
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/648141