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To assess quality of life in 1996, two different classification
methodologies were applied to the data. Census
subdivisions were used to georeference the data, since they
are the geographic areas that best represent different communities
or urban areas across Canada. One methodology used the metropolitan
influence zone classification to classify census subdivisions that
lie outside the census
metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census
agglomerations (CAs) according to the degree of influence
that these CMAs/CAs have on them. The other methodology treated
each census subdivision equally without classifying the census subdivisions,
and allowed for direct comparison of all census subdivisions, independent
of other methodological considerations. The results of the unclassified
census subdivisions were compiled in the following four maps:
- Quality of Life: Economic Environment Index
- Quality of Life: Physical Environment Index
- Quality of Life: Social Environment Index
- Overall Quality of Life
The results from the alternative methodology using the metropolitan
influence zone classification, are available upon request from
the Atlas of Canada, in the text for each of the four maps showing
the quality of the physical, social, economic environments and
overall quality of life. This classification was used to evaluate
quality of life among similar census subdivisions, based on their
shared socio-economic characteristics and geographic location.
To assist in the interpretation of the tables, refer to the Metropolitan
Influence Zone Classification map, which shows the classification
of the census subdivisions. See the Data and Mapping Notes section
for more information on the classification methodology.
To illustrate the differences in the methodologies, the results
from the metropolitan influence zone classification allow for comparison
of Vancouver with Toronto but not with Brantford, Ontario or Portage
la Prairie, Manitoba. In contrast, comparisons between all of the
above locations is possible on the four maps, regardless of their
differences in population, socio-economic characteristics and geographic
location.
Mapping Quality of Life
The mapping of quality of life is very difficult because this concept
is difficult to quantify and difficult to model. The Atlas of Canada
model has been adapted from various quality of life models that
have been previously used by geographers. Refer to the paper Quality
of Life in Saskatoon 1991 and 1996: A Geographical Perspective,
cited in the Data and Mapping Notes section, for references to the
work of other social scientists in the field of quality of life
research. The set of indicators used in The Atlas of Canada model
has been validated by various experts and represents a broad selection
of indicators to compare quality of life between communities (or
census subdivisions) on a national scale.
The Atlas of Canada recognizes that regional variations in quality
of life exist, and are probably not captured by these indicators.
Nor do these indicators capture the internal diversity of the quality
of life within communities. Nevertheless, by applying a consistent
set of indicators and a common methodology, broad general patterns
in quality of life can be identified among communities across Canada.
Quality of life, as mapped here, is not a reflection of happiness
or overall satisfaction with life. Instead, these maps show that
some locations in Canada present a higher quality of life than other
locations, based solely on these indicators.
For further information see the Data
and Mapping Notes section. |
‘Quality of life’ is a term used
to measure well-being. Well-being describes how well people feel
about their environment, and collectively these feelings can be
thought of as quality of life. To assess quality of life, indicators
are used to represent the most important aspects of a person’s
life (called domains), which include, for example, housing, education,
employment and household finances. Indicators are used to measure
complex phenomena (such as quality of life) and can only provide
us with an indication of the actual quality of life. The individual
indicators (and their domains) were categorized into three broad
groups called the social environment, economic environment and physical
environment. The indicator data were compiled, transformed and analyzed
to generate three quality of life maps for each environment, and
then combined in a fourth map to show the overall quality of life.
A fifth map, prepared in partnership with the Canadian
Policy Research Networks’ Quality of Life Indicators Project,
shows various national indicators of quality of life.