Canadians and the outdoors

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Release date: March 26, 2018
Infographic: Canadians and the outdoors
Description: Canadians and the outdoors

Nearly 7 in 10 Canadians participated in outdoor or wilderness activities, some in more than one.

  • 18% participated in one
  • 15% in two, and
  • 41% in three or more kinds of activities

Canadians are a hardy bunch

4 in 10 of those with poor self-reported health still participated in outdoor or wilderness activities.

Self-reported health and outdoor or wilderness activity participation
Self-reported health Participated
Excellent 80%
Very good 79%
Good 71%
Fair 60%
Poor 41%

Hiking and backpacking are the most popular outdoor activities

  • Hiking or backpacking – 44%
  • Wildlife viewing or photography – 32%
  • Tent camping – 24%
  • Fishing – 22%
  • Canoeing or kayaking – 22%
  • Motor boating or jet skiing – 20%
  • Snowmobiling or other off-road vehicle use – 17%
  • Foraging for food – 16%
  • Mountain biking – 13%
  • Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing – 13%

Source: General Social Survey (Canadians at Work and Home), 2016

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