Parental Experiences Survey (PES)

Detailed information for 2024

Status:

Active

Frequency:

One Time

Record number:

5406

The Parental Experiences Survey collects information from Canadian parents on their experiences, knowledge and behaviours regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and access to and use of health care services. The survey aims to paint a more comprehensive picture of new parents and their infants. The results from the survey will help inform national recommendations for maternal and newborn care as well as improve the mental health and well-being of parents and families across Canada.

Data release - Scheduled for January 8, 2026

Description

The Parental Experiences Survey aims to paint a more comprehensive picture of new parents and their infants. The survey asks questions about pregnancy intention and history, health before, during and after pregnancy, experiences during labour and birth and with infant feeding, mental health, substance use, and experiences of violence or abuse.

The results from the survey will be used by healthcare professionals and researchers to inform national recommendations for maternal and newborn care, as well as to help improve the mental health and well-being of parents and families across Canada.

Reference period: The 2024 calendar year.

Collection period: A 3-month collection period starting in the reference year.

Subjects

Health
Mental health and well-being
Pregnancy and births

Data sources and methodology

Target population

Parents who gave birth to a liveborn infant who is at least 6 months old and less than 12 months old during the collection period, residing in one of the ten provinces and not institutionalized or living on reserve.

Married or common-law partners of birth parents, living in the same household as the birth parent and child.

Instrument design

The PES questionnaire content was developed in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and in consultation with experts in the field of reproductive health. Modifications were applied to comply with standards and practices of Statistics Canada during survey development work. The PES is based on the Maternity Experiences Survey (MES) conducted in 2006.

The questionnaire underwent cognitive testing through in-depth interviews with test respondents, in both of Canada's official languages. Testing was conducted by Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design Resource Centre (QDRC), and changes to the questionnaire were implemented based on QDRC recommendations.

Questions are designed to be answered directly by the respondent via an online electronic questionnaire (EQ). Statistics Canada interviewers will also interview respondents by phone using the same questionnaire for follow up on non-response. In designing the EQ, questions flow logically according to conditions such as previous responses or non-response. Additional specifications provide guidance on the type of answer required, the minimum and maximum values, and edits associated with the question. Help text is made available by clicking on an on-screen bubble or by being included with the question text.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

Sample design
The overall sample size for the PES is 31,500, consisting of 25,500 birth parents and 6,000 other parents.

Stratification method
The frame for the Parental Experience Survey was stratified by province and by the age group of the birth mother. A simple random sample was selected independently within each age group in each province.

Sampling and sub-sampling
Sufficient sample was allocated to each age group within each of the provinces so that the survey could produce estimates for each age group at the provincial and national level.

First, an initial sample of 25,500 targeted respondents was selected and sent to collection. The selection of a sample unit is done in one stage. A list of children aged 6 to 12 months old whose parent or guardian is a Canada Child Benefit (CCB) recipient is stratified by province and age group of the birth mother (as of October 29th, 2024). Within each stratum, the list is sorted by city, mailing address, and age group, and a systematic sample of children is drawn within each stratum. The CCB recipient corresponding to each selected child is added to the sample file.

Second, out of the 25,500 selected birth mothers, a subsample of 12,000 were identified so that their spouse would be selected for a supplement questionnaire. These spouses are selected at random using probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling within each stratum.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 2024-10-29 to 2025-01-31

Responding to this survey is voluntary.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

Collection method:
EQ with CATI follow-up

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s).