Sustainability and Air Quality Matter to Canadians…in Varying Degrees

MONTREAL, TORONTO, CALGARY, VANCOUVER –The LePage Report on Canadians’ Attitudes to Sustainability, released on March 31, 2011, revealed that while an overwhelming majority of Canadian homeowners view indoor air quality and using sustainable and green building products as important, only half are aware of products to improve indoor air quality and only one in five use green and sustainable building products.
The report showed that British Columbians lead Canada in adoption of environmentally sustainable building products and in knowledge of products that contribute to indoor air quality, followed by those in Ontario and Quebec. Albertans lag behind in adoption of environmentally sustainable products and overall in following sustainable practices in the home.
The LePage Report also illustrated that Canadian women are more likely to follow sustainable practices in the home than men. For instance, women are more likely than men to recycle, compost, choose organic household products and choose organic local food.
Of those who were aware of products that contribute to indoor air quality, Canadians pointed to heating and ventilation systems, low VOC building construction materials, and bamboo and cork flooring as top examples. For green and sustainable building products, Canadians listed building construction materials, environmentally friendly non-toxic and low emission materials, renewable resources, recyclable materials, and energy efficient products, although those  in Quebec were the least likely to think of energy efficient products.
With half of Canadians planning minor repairs or painting in the next six months, nearly two-thirds using professional help don’t plan to ask for sustainable and green building products in home renovation projects.
Conducted by Vision Critical with over 1,000 Canadian homeowners, The LePage Report on Canadian’s Attitudes to Sustainability coincides with LePage Lends a Hand Month, in which LePage will donate green and sustainable building products to Habitat for Humanity Canada.