Canadians Could be Nicer

Canadians live up to their international reputation for kindness but there’s room for improvement according to a Harris/Decima survey examining the frequency in which Canadians perform good turns.

Conducted on behalf of Scouts Canada, the survey found 51 per cent of Canadians are the recipient of a good turn at least once a month while 28 per cent of Canadians have a good turn performed for them twice a week or more.

Scouts Canada is challenging Canadians to try and perform at least one good turn a week and they can start by participating in Good Turn Week from April 13-21, 2013. All that is required is a simple act of kindness.

“We are thrilled that more than 50 per cent of Canadians benefit from a good turn at least once a month,” said Kaylee Galipeau, National Youth Commissioner and Chair of the National Youth Network, Scouts Canada. “But with 365 days in a year once a month is not enough. We are challenging all Canadians to do a good turn – or two – this Good Turn Week.”

The survey also showed that young adults are more likely to do a good turn daily. Forty-one per cent of those polled aged 18-24* indicated they do a good turn daily. Scouts Canada encourages its youth members, who range in age from five to 26, to perform a good turn every day.

“Many good turns are quick and easy to do,” said Galipeau. “From giving up a seat on public transit to picking up groceries for an elderly neighbor, the possibilities are endless. Even the simplest of good deeds has the power to make someone’s day and make you feel good in the process.”

During Good Turn Week, more than 100,000 Scouts will pass along a Good Turn bracelet for each act of kindness they perform and encourage the recipient to pay it forward, creating a chain of goodwill spreading across the country. Of course, those who don’t receive a bracelet can still do a good turn and share it with Scouts Canada by texting “GoodTurn” with a description of their good deed to 51051 or submitting it via scouts.ca/goodturn.

To follow the Good Turn Week momentum and see what good turns other Canadians are doing visit the interactive website at scouts.ca/goodturn, follow @scoutscanada on Twitter #goodturn, and like Scouts Canada on Facebook.com/scoutscanada.

The survey was conducted by Harris/Decima via teleVox, the company’s telephone omnibus, from February 21 to 24, 2013. A total of 1,000 Canadians were surveyed. Results are considered accurate +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

SOURCE: Scouts Canada