Community Spaces & Extreme Weather Events in Toronto Survey

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspectives with the Climate & Equity Lab! We hope to hear your thoughts on how you access support within your community/neighbourhood. This survey will take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Your feedback is valuable. As a thank you for sharing your time and insights, we will be emailing you a $15 honorarium after you complete the survey.

If you would like more context on this initiative, feel free to review this short overview.

1.What physical spaces in your community/neighbourhood do you visit often?

Libraries

Community centres, recreation centres, swimming pools, etc.

Religious spaces (e.g. churches, mosques)

Farmers’ markets

Businesses (e.g. coffee shops, bookstores)

None of the above

2.If none of the above, why not?

These spaces are too far away from where I live

Physical limitations, accessibility challenges

Language barriers

I don’t feel welcome there

I don’t have any reason to visit these spaces

Other (please specify)

None of the above

Extreme weather can include events like extreme heat warnings, air quality alerts, heavy rainfall, or flooding. These events can affect our daily lives. Sometimes, we need support in coping with these events, such as a place to go to cool down, help with transportation, financial support for repairs, or someone to check in on us.

3.How much support do you have available to you when these extreme weather events occur?

No support – I do not have anyone or anywhere to turn to. I would have to deal with the situation on my own.

A little support – I might have a person or place I can turn to in an emergency, but it would not meet all my needs or might not always be available.

Some support – I have a few people or resources I can rely on, though they may not always be enough or fully dependable in more serious situations.

A lot of support – I have a strong and dependable support system (e.g., friends, family, services, places to go), and I generally feel confident I can cope when extreme weather happens.

4.What support do you need leading up to, during, or after an extreme weather event?

Information (e.g. where to find a cooling space, how to cool my apartment, what to do if my basement floods).

Money to buy the resources I need (e.g. a new AC unit, masks for poor air quality, flooding protection).

Food

Transportation

Childcare

Healthcare

Other (please specify)

None of the above

5.If your local library, community centre, or another community space was going to start a program to help the community respond to extreme weather events, what would you ask them to do? What support would you want from them?

Information – Tips on how to stay safe, prepare in advance, and know what to do during extreme weather.

Navigation support – Help figuring out where to go, who to call, or how to access services like shelters or financial assistance.

A place to go – A safe, cool, or fresh-air space to spend time during heat waves, smoky days, or power outages.

Access to power – A place to charge my phone or medical devices, use Wi-Fi, or keep cool when the power is out at home.

Emotional support – Someone to talk to or check in with during stressful events.

Basic supplies – Access to items like water, fans, masks, first aid, or other emergency supplies.

Other (please specify)

6.If your local library, community centre, or another community space launched this program, what would stop you from going there for support?

Transportation barriers – It would be hard for me to get there.

Timing/accessibility – It might be closed when I need it or not accessible for my needs.

Not sure if I’m eligible – I might not know if the service is for me or feel uncomfortable going.

Privacy concerns – I’d worry about stigma or not want others to see me seeking help.

Other (please specify)

7.Is there anything else you would like us to know?

8.If you would like to receive a $15 e-gift card as a thank-you for your time and insights, please share your full name and email address below.

Please note that processing may take up to 1-2 weeks. For any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Safina Allidina at safina@sicanada.org

Full Name

Email Address