Irish born/raised residents of British Columbia Survey
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about this survey, please feel free to contact me at or (206) 229-8512
For each question, please mark the response that best describes you and your experience.
1. Gender: Female Male
2. Age: 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
3. Where were you born? Ireland County Other
4. Highest Level of Education Completed: Less than High School 2-Year Degree/Associate’s
High School Diploma/GED 4-Year Degree/Bachelor’s
Master’s degree Doctorate degree
5. Do you currently live in or near the greater Vancouver metro area (within 50 km of Vancouver)? Yes No
6. Do you have family members who live in this area? Yes No
7. Which of the following best describes the location of your home? Country Suburbs City
8. How many people currently live in your household?
9. If you are married or dating someone, where were they born?
10. Do you have children? If so, how many?
11. What year did you arrive in Canada?
12. How did you come to live in British Columbia? Family Friends Job Other
13. How would you rate your experiences of adjusting to life when you first came to Canada?
Easy Fairly easy Moderate Hard Very hard
14. How would you rate your decision to come to Canada now?
Great Good Moderate Bad Huge mistake
15. What were the biggest challenges, if any, in adjusting to life in British Columbia? Check as many as apply.
Never At Least Once Repeatedly Still a problem
Finances
Finding work
Finding housing
Getting a driver’s license
Getting credit
Problems getting a cell phone
Problem with income tax
Making friends
Never At Least Once Repeatedly Still a problem
Missing family/friends
Legal paperwork/Visa/Grn Card
Dealing with stereotypes
Regretting decision to come
16. Do you keep in contact with family back in Ireland? Check as many as apply.
No
We speak on the phone often
We speak occasionally
I visit them whenever possible, usually at least once per year
Whenever possible, every few years
Have not been able to yet, or just haven’t gone
17. Have family or friends from Ireland come to visit you here in British Columbia?
No Yes Other
18. Have you ever experienced any of the following? If so, can you give a few details, when, what, etc?
Check as many as apply Yes No Add details
Health problems
Difficulties at work
Marriage difficulties
Divorce or separation
Legal issues in general
Legal issues regarding immigration
Do you have health insurance
Problems getting proper medical care
Problems with addiction
Problems getting a cell phone
Problems with income tax
Drug and alcohol problems
19. How did you cope with and/or solve the issues listed above?
Check as many as apply Yes No Which issue: finances, health, etc?
Asked a relative for help/advice
Asked a friend for help/advice
Asked an agency for help
Dealt with it myself
Check as many as apply Yes No Which issue: finances, health, etc?
Asked a clergy member for help/advice
Asked an employer for help/advice
Didn’t cope or solve issue
20. How often have you participated in each of the following activities?
Check as many as apply. Never At least once Once Per month Often What and/or when?
Sports events
Stop and chat with a neighbour
Ask a relative for help
Ask an agency for help
Volunteer to help a neighbour
Been to an Irish pub in the area
Went out with friends
Attended church or church activities
Outdoor pursuits (skiing, hiking, etc
21. There are a number of groups in British Columbia that serve the Irish community. What types of services and/or help, do you use, wish you had access to, or think would be helpful?
Use Wish for
Celtic Connection ______
An Irish Community Centre______
Housing ______
Education ______
Drug/alcohol rehab ______
Legal ______
Personal ______
Other ______
The Story of the Irish in North America
If you look at the history, traditions and stories about the Irish in North America, much of it comes from the east coast and the post-Famine era. The condensed version is that people left Ireland to get away from the oppression of the British, the lack of economic opportunities, and to work to send money to their families in Ireland. Once in Canada, Irish immigrants faced discrimination based on their religion, their birth place, and a rash of stereotypes about the Irish as lazy, drunkards and brawlers. They worked hard, earned success and managed to make a place for themselves and their children in Canada.
22. How well does this story match your own experience in coming to the Canada?
Very Well Somewhat well Not at all Other
23. When you were growing up, what political party did your family vote for most or most support?
Fianna Fáil Fine Gael SDLP Alliance Sinn Féin UUP Other______
Comments on political parties and voting patterns
24. What political party in Canada are you currently most likely to support or vote for?
Liberal Conservative NDP Green Other______
25. Which political party in Canada have you most often supported or voted for since coming to this country?
Liberal Conservative NDP Green Other ______
26. Did your family regularly attend religious services while you were growing up?
Yes No Rarely Other
27. If they did, what religion were they? Roman Catholic Protestant Other
28. How often do you currently attend religious services?
Once a week or more A few times per month A few times per year Rarely Never
29. If you do, what religious denomination are they? Roman Catholic Protestant Other
30. Do you celebrate St Patrick’s Day? Yes No Other
31. If so, how?
Attend a religious service Go to parade Have a meal with family/friends
Other
32. Are you planning on returning to live in Ireland? Yes No Possibly
Is there anything else you would like to add? Comments on the questions, and/or about things you didn’t see on this survey.
Thank you so much for filing this out and returning it to me! Your help is crucial to making this project successful!
Note: If you are willing to consider being interviewed, please contact me at (206) 229-8512 or
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