Beginning in late 1999, CPRN undertook the task of creating a prototype set of national Quality of Life Indicators, to reflect the range of issues that truly matter to citizens.

In the Fall of 2000, 350 Canadians took part in 40 different dialogue groups in 21 towns and cities across Canada and discussed what mattered to them in terms of quality of life. The results of those dialogues led directly to the production of a prototype set of national quality of life indicators. The prototype consists of nine themes and forty indicators. The indicators help to create a common language for dialogue among and between the public, private and voluntary sectors. This leads to a more balanced discussion of public priorities that takes account of social, economic, environmental, and other dimensions.

In September 2002, we released Quality of Life in Canada: A Citizens' Report Card. The Report Card and a background report, commissioned by CPRN, draw on a variety of data sources to assess how Canadians have fared over the last ten years with respect to each of the 40 indicators of quality of life identified in the dialogue process.