Psycho-social Health and Safety in Ontario Youth Corrections Facilities:
This project looked at ways to improve the health and safety climate in Ontario youth corrections facilities.
The research involved a survey of
600+ correctional workers using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) to assess risks of psychosocial
injuries in all Ontario youth corrections facilities. The study recommendations were focused on
large institutions (for the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services and The Ontario Public
Service Employees Union, 2018-2019).
Consultations with CMHC Housing Partners: A series of in-depth
consultations were conducted with provinces,
territories and NGOs to identify ways of streamlining Canada's new $13.2 billion Housing
Co-Investment Fund. The consultation focused on the program's eligibility criteria and administration, aiming to
increase the flow of funding for affordable housing in Canada (for CMHC, 2019).
Assessing the Risk for Youth Gang Involvement: This Evaluation of the Gang Risk Assessment Instrument (GRAI)
was conducted to assess this clinical risk assessment tool which is designed to support youth justice sector staff to identify
gang involved youth and assess risks for gang involvement. Methodologies included: an in-depth literature review of existing
documents on gang risk assessment procedures and tools available in Canada and other jurisdictions; telephone interviews with
staff that have used GRAI for risk assessment purposes; and focus groups with staff from Ontario's youth justice system who
have utilized GRAI (for the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2018).
Assessment of Financing Models for Shared Equity Housing in Canada: The goal of this project was to
provide housing providers with a comprehensive assessment of new housing finance models. The research was a balanced assessment of the
success, benefits and risks of shared equity housing financing models. The research focused
on shared equity housing programs in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario and involved an on-line survey and telephone interviews with
individuals involved in shared equity housing (planning/housing officials; developers; non-profit sponsors/partners; and mortgage brokers)
(for CMHC, 2017-2018).
Approaches to Applying a Gender-Based Lens to Affordable Housing in Canada: The goal of this project
was to ensure that National Housing Strategy-funded initiatives are developed through a gender lens and address the housing needs of
women and the LGBTQ+ community. An environmental scan and an on-line survey of experts was conducted to identify housing
needs and issues facing women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Recommendations outlined ways to better help both women and members of the LGBTQ+
communities (for CMHC, 2018).
Child Welfare Worker Safety Technology and Peer Support: This follow-up to SPR's 2014 study of
worker safety in Ontario Children's Aid Societies was intended to provide a guide to technology,
tools, policies & procedures to protect the health and safety of lone child protection workers. The study also looked at ways of
improving the use of
peer supports to assist workers who had experienced post-traumatic stress. The study methodology included: a scan of literature
and best practices across Canada and internationally; input from key stakeholders to aid initial consultations with Ontario
Children's Aid Societies; and input from joint health and safety committees and others and an on-line survey of 1,600 CAS
workers. Recommendations addressed technology and peer support for child protection workers (for the Ontario Association of
Children's Aid Societies and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, 2017).
Evaluation of the Portable Housing Benefit Pilot: The goal of this
11-month project was to design and complete an evaluation of an innovative program to aid survivors of domestic violence in
finding new, affordable housing more quickly than was possible through existing housing programs.
The Portable Housing Benefit Pilot Program for Survivors of
Domestic Violence (SDV-PHB) was delivered by Service Managers in four selected areas of Ontario where there were eligible
households on social housing waiting lists. The SDV-PHB provides an alternate means of providing housing assistance as a direct monthly
subsidy so households can find their own non-rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing in their communities rather than waiting for
an available RGI unit. The program was found to greatly increase the speed with which RGI housing was obtained and to result in
very positive impacts on household well-being. The PHB is now implemented all across Ontario (for the Ontario Ministry of Housing, 2016-2017).
How the Canadian Housing System Facilitates Rental and Owner-Occupied Housing: This
assessment of Canada's housing system was intended to provide information to housing stakeholders on how government policies influence both rental and ownership housing,
in particular, factors affecting the supply and demand for these types of housing. The study examined the policies of all
levels of government and all housing sub-sectors. Key steps included: development of a profile of policies and impacts by
tenure, based on existing information from CMHC and on-line website searches (including a scan of relevant literature); telephone
interviews with key policy officials and other experts to clarify sources of information on policy impacts; development of an
on-line survey of key representatives from public, non-profit and private sector housing organizations, and other experts, to
obtain insights on supply and demand impacts of policies; and selection of specific policy impact areas for case studies. Five regional
case studies included on-line research and follow-up telephone interviews with housing stakeholders across Canada (for CMHC, 2016-2017).
Review of Policing Oversight in Ontario: A review of the Office of the Independent Police Review Director, Special Investigations Unit and
Ontario Civilian Police Commission), this project aimed to identify ways of improving civilian oversight of
policing for three Ontario policing agencies. Main data sources for the review included: legislation; past reviews; literature on policing oversight; and
data from key informants. Analysis methods included: assessments of consistency of the mandate and agency actions; and analysis
of performance of the three agencies in achieving mandate goals. Key program design features addressed the need for more open
public scrutiny, in particular, for the Special Investigations Unit (for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, 2016).
International Housing Policies and Initiatives for Home Ownership, and Policies to Encourage Movement
Within the Housing Continuum: This project aimed to identify best practices for home ownership for application in Canada.
International housing policies and initiatives
in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand were reviewed and assessed. Through a robust literature review, approaches and funding
models were identified that
are relevant to the Canadian context. A review of affordable homeownership included downpayment assistance or rent-to-own
programs. Policies and approaches examined those that increase self-reliance such as asset building programs, escrow accounts or
trust funds, grant or loan programs, intervention subsidies and other programs that help to increase self-sufficiency and encourage
movement along the housing continuum, from homelessness to permanent residence (for CMHC, 2015-2016).
Assessment of Income-Mix Models for Affordable Housing: The goal of this multi-method project was to assess
lessons learned for income-mixed housing in Canada. The project involved an on-line scan of
literature in Canada, the US, UK and Australia, and other jurisdictions; completion of program summaries, case studies; and
project profiles
to address issues such as financial viability and other impacts of income mixed housing. Unique research approaches included
an international survey of experts regarding assessments of income-mixed housing models and a multi-country survey to identify
specific projects for case studies (for CMHC, 2015).
Renewing Ontario's Recreation-Nature Trails Strategy: This project assessed the strategy and overall positive health
and economic benefits of
hiking and other types of nature trail use in Ontario. The main method was an on-line survey of 5,000+ trail users
(hikers, snowmobilers and others). The project applied the Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model (TREIM) to examine the
positive economic impacts of trail use on GDP, jobs and government revenue.
SPR's final report was complemented by the introduction of Bill 100
- the Supporting Ontario's Trails Act, 2015 (for the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, 2014-2015).