Coastal Communities in Atlantic Canada

Abstract

The population sample of 10 small rural coastal communities in Atlantic Canada is described, spanning the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Interviews of 74 people (both singly and in couples) were completed in 2011–2012 soon after the 2010 winter storms and another one was also done in 2014 as part of a follow-up survey. The focus of this chapter is to highlight the characteristics of the participants in this research, including demographics, such as gender, age, education, and occupation, which are outlined. Generally, more men than women were sampled (33 men and 22 women). The age range of interviewees was 26–90 years, with women commonly 45–54 and men with an older age range of 55–65 years old. Some traditional occupations for these communities are represented by fishers and farmers. Most of the participants resided at the coast all of their lives, with only a couple relocated there within the past 5 years at the time of interview.