RESEARCH & FUNDING Original Research Focus Canada 2010 (click to View) In 2010 the Environics Institute launched a new public opinion research program to build upon the syndicated Focus Canada research conducted by the Environics Research Group (ERG) for more than three decades (1976-2009). The purpose of this new initiative is to provide a credible, independent and sustained source of Canadian public opinion on important issues that will be on the public record for use by organizations and individuals in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The focus of this research program is on providing: A continuation of the ongoing tracking and measurement of Canadian public opinion at the national, provincial and regional levels (begun in 1976) to identify important changes (or the lack of change) over time; Coverage of topics ranging from politics and governance, the economy and social issues, to multiculturalism, crime and justice, and Canada's role in the world; and Full public access to the research findings, through reports, a website, conferences and other events, as ways to contribute to public debate and study. Focus Canada 2010 was conducted in the fall 2010. Focus Canada 2011 was conducted in late 2011, and will be released in sections early in 2012. The first section, on income inequality, will be released on January 19, 2012, in conjunction with the Canada 2020 Conference on Income Disparity and Polarization [LINK: this will be a new link] Canadian Citizenship Study In partnership with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, the Maytree Foundation, CBC News, and with the support of RBC, the Environics Institute has recently completed a major new national survey of Canadians on citizenship issues. This research provides a definitive picture of how ordinary Canadians view citizenship today (e.g., what it means to be a "good citizen"), and how their concept of citizenship shapes their understanding of their rights, responsibilities, loyalties, and identities. This research will be released publicly through the CBC in mid-February, 2012. The Black Experience in the Greater Toronto Area The Environics Institute, in partnership with the Atkinson Charitable Foundation and the Ryerson Diversity Institute, is launching a groundbreaking research study focusing on the Black community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The economic, educational, social and political disparities for Black people are well documented, but the underlying factors are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to better understand the nature of the challenges facing the Black community, through exploring the lived experiences of individuals within this community (focusing on values, identity, aspirations and experiences), and the factors leading to success or failure. This project is starting with an intensive consultation phase with the local Black community across the GTA in early 2012, to obtain valuable direction in determining the specific topics and issues to be addressed by the research.