Alert level: green OPQ: Q-733 Session: 451 Suggested file name: behavioural_science_experiments_and_nudging Tabled on: January 26, 2026 Agencies: Estimated questions: 2 Estimated responses: 5 Original filename: Q-733 - behavioural science experiments and nudging, January 26, 2026.pdf External links / references: (none detected) Extracted PDF text preview: Q-733 Question With regard to all behavioural science experiments, evaluations, analyses and prototypes, and other policy or service-design work undertaken by the Privy Council Oce’s Impact and Innovation Unit since its creation, including those conducted with or for other federal departments: (a) what current and past projects has the Impact and Innovation Unit undertaken, including, for each project, the (i) title, (ii) dates during which it was active, (iii) sponsoring department, (iv) costs, (v) objectives, (vi) names of any external contractors used; (b) what research methodologies and behavioural frameworks were used for each project (for example, nudge theory, social-norming, fear-based framing); (c) what message-testing experiments were conducted and what internal ethical guidelines governed them; (d) how have Impact and Innovation Unit behavioural insights been used and integrated into Public Health Agency of Canada or other department’s communication plans; (e) what public reporting or parliamentary reporting practices exist for Impact and Innovation Unit projects, and, if none, why; and (f) what Impact and Innovation Unit insights, documents or research has been shared with the United Kingdom, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Health Organization or other foreign governments, broken down by (i) recipient, (ii) summary of the material and data shared, (iii) purpose of the disclosure, (iv) the date on which it was shared? Response This response was tabled in the House of Commons on January 26, 2026, as Sessional Paper 8555-451-733. Order/Address of the House of Commons Question number Q-733 Asked by Leslyn Lewis (Haldimand—Norfolk) Date asked December 9, 2025 Tabled on January 26, 2026 Sessional Paper 8555-451-733 House of Commons Privy Council Oce Reply by: the Prime Minister of Canada Name of Signatory: Rachel Bendayan, P.C., M.P. Reply Privy Council Oce (a) what current and past projects has the Impact and Innovation Unit undertaken, including, for each project, the (i) title, (ii) dates during which it was active, (iii) sponsoring department, (iv) costs, (v) objectives, (vi) names of any external contractors used; (b) what research methodologies and behavioural frameworks were used for each project (for example, nudge theory, social-norming, fear-based framing); (c) what message-testing experiments were conducted and what internal ethical guidelines governed them? Presented by Kevin Lamoureux Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons title dates during which it was active sponsoring department costs objectives names of any external contractors used (b) what research methodologies and behavioural frameworks were used for each project (for example, nudge theory, social- norming, fear- based framing) (c) what message- testing experiments were conducted an what internal ethical guidelines governed the Early COVID-19 response June- August, 2020 Public Health Agency of Canada $50,300.00To support early COVID response QualtricsPublic opinion research, survey and survey studies Two messagin studies that used randomized controlled tria methodology governed by T Council Policy Statement on Ethical Condu for Research Involving Humans (201 and/or Public Opinion Research ethi frameworks Fellowship Arrangement - Sustainable Development Policy Directorate February 6, 2023, to March 31, 2027 Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada $0.00 To understand barriers to implementation of sustainable agricultural practices among Canadian farmers. None Public opinion research None Impact Canada Behavioural Science Cohort - Fellowship Arrangement July 5, 2022, to March 31, 2023 Privy Council Office $0.00 To understand Canadians' preferences about what information to receive from government, how to receive this information, and where to receive it (for example: email newsletter, social media posts, Canadian news channels, television or radio, and others), with a focus on digital communication preferences and needs. QualtricsSurveys and survey studies One (1) message- testing study was conducte to estimate th impacts of different messages about scams and frauds on recognizing scams and frauds and tru in the messag content. Work was guided by the Tri-Counc Policy Statement on Ethical Condu for Research Involving Humans (2022 Applying Social and Behavioural Science Approaches within the Canada Water Agency April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026 Canada Water Agency $35,000.00To understand Canadian's knowledge and attitudes towards water security and water use. Forum Public opinion research None Canadian Armed Forces of the Future: Applying behavioural, social, and data sciences to support modernization December 4, 2025, to March 31, 2026 Department of National Defence $50,000.00To provide an external review of the compensation and non- compensation- related drivers of attrition in the Canadian Armed Forces to support the development of actionable strategies to increase retention. None None None A New Approach to Optimizing Procurement for Defence Readiness January 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029 Department of National Defence $405,000.00To target an expeditious but rigorous procurement process. None None None Climate Change Program of Applied Behavioural Science Research Through an Impact Canada Behavioural Science Fellowship Cohort, later titled the "Program of Applied Research on Climate Action" in Canada September 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024 Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada $1,225,000.00To understand barriers to greater climate action and environmental protection behaviours (for example: retrofitting one's home or installing an electric heat pump, protecting property from wildfires) among adults in Canada and to produce evidence-based, actionable Advanis, Forum, Qualtrics, Veritas Public opinion research, surveys, survey studies, key informant interviews, and field studies Fourteen (14) message- testing studies were conducte to estimate th performance o communicatio about relevan topics (for example: knowledge about climate change, home energy use, electric heat pumps, electr vehicles, and emergency recommendations for improving the impact and cost- effectiveness of climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation policies and programs. preparedness on electrification, home energy use, emergen preparedness and other environmenta protection behaviours. Work was guided by the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Condu for Research Involving Humans (2022 The Impact an Innovation Un also consulted with the Acces to Information and Privacy Division at the Privy Council Office. Supporting the Program of Applied Research on Climate Action and the Environment Using Insights from Behavioural Science April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025 Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada $333,000.00To understand barriers to greater climate action and environmental protection behaviours (for example: retrofitting one's home or installing an electric heat pump, protecting property from wildfires) among adults in Canada and to produce evidence-based, actionable recommendations for improving the impact and cost- effectiveness of Forum, Qualtrics Public opinion research, surveys, survey studies, key informant interviews, and field studies Two (2) message- testing studies were conducte to estimate th performance o weather alerts and communicatio about net-zero homes on emergency preparedness and energy efficiency behaviours. Work was guided by the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Condu climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation policies and programs. for Research Involving Humans (2022 It also underwent a Preliminary Privacy Impac Assessments by the Privy Council Office privacy team. Designing and Testing Refinements to the Fisheries Act-related Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations Schedule 2 Regulatory Amendment Process October 20, 2025, to Marc