To find out which population segment you belong to, take the Self Identification Survey

Community Activator (22% of the population)

• Equally men and women (52% female)
• Very well-education (44% have at lest some university education)
• Middle-aged (35% are 45-64 years old)
• Lower than average income (62% make less than $60,000 a year)
• Mostly married (63)
• 1 in 10 follow a non-Christian religion

Identity Statement
The most educated segment of the population, Community Activators are enlightened and thoughtful. They are sensitive to environmental issues and other social concerns and are passionate about the quality of life they currently enjoy. They differentiate themselves from others by preferring the city to prioritize its commitments to environmental and social programs. They display a strong social conscience and wish for an open society free of bigotry, one where people of any ethnic community can celebrate their culture.

Growth / Development
Community Activators are very concerned about uncontrolled development. While they prefer a vital and lively downtown core and wish for Kitchener to become a major cultural centre renowned for its art galleries, theatres, and museums, they also want the city to keep its small-town feel. They want the city to focus foremost on providing a higher quality of life to its citizens than concentrating on economic growth.

Taxes
They are the most likely segment to endorse rigorous environmental and housing by-laws and a high level of quality local public services at the expense of higher taxes.

City Services
Community Activators are only informed about the services that match their interests, such as: art galleries and theatres, bike lanes, the public library, parks and playgrounds and Your Kitchener Market. They are generally unsatisfied with services, however, they have higher than average satisfaction with art galleries and theatres, Your Kitchener Market and parking restrictions. The Community Activators do not want to see more money spent on most city services.

Likes About Kitchener

• Size / Small Town Feel (19%)
• People / Charm (16%)
• Parks (15%)
• Community Centres / Library (15%)
• Distance To Other Things / Locations (14%)
• Trails (12%)

Dislikes About Kitchener

• Traffic Problems / Congestion (16%)
• Transit System / Traveling Conditions (13%)
• Downtown / Core (14%)
• Growing Too Fast / Too Big / Urban Sprawl (12%)
• Litter / Dirty (11%)
• Rundown Houses / Unkept Properties (11%)

Involvement in Government
With a high level of community involvement and a low level of civic apathy, the Community Activators likes to have its voice heard by those in government. They are, however, conflicted by their views on government. While they wish that their concerns were met with a greater level of government involvement and are predisposed to defer to those in power, they have a low level of confidence in government and are ready to break rules that they do not agree with.

Interesting Fact
Having themselves struggled with life’s difficulties and having been the recipients of others’ help, they believe that those less fortunate may have been the victims of circumstance.