Precautionary Principle Survey







Over the years there has been a great deal of controversy over the application of the precautionary principle to risk-based decision making. We are conducting a survey to ascertain the current level of understanding and application of the precautionary principle by decision makers within the Government of Canada. By completing this survey you will aid in increasing our understanding of the use of the Principle by senior decision makers.
The survey should take 10 – 15 minutes to complete. The information obtained from this survey is strictly confidential and will be presented as aggregate results.



(You must enter a Survey ID# to complete the Survey Online. The ID number is located on the label at the top of the survey that was mailed to you. All results are confidential, the Survey ID# is for checking who has completed the survey and is not entered into the database of results.)

1. Which department or agency do you primarily work for ?









2. How long have you worked in this department or agency?








3. Which of the following most accurately describes your position/level ?
4. In what area did you complete your formal education? (Check all that apply)










5. Do you participate in decision-making that involves assessing or managing risk?


6. Approximately what percentage of your risk-based decisions have involved using the precautionary principle?







 If 0% please stop here and submit survey

7. How important a role has the precautionary principle played in the risk-based decision-making processes in which you have been involved ?

(1 = Very Important to 5 = Not Important)

Very Important Not Important
1 2 3 4 5
Please rate:
8. Has the precautionary principle altered how you make decisions ?




9. Do you believe that the precautionary principle and risk management are complementary?



10. How do you believe the precautionary principle should be used ?



11. How would you describe your understanding of the precautionary principle?



12. Which interpretation of the precautionary principle do you favour?




13. Please indicate your views about the following statements:

The precautionary principle is a useful guide to risk-based decision making because:

Agree Neutral Disagree
Waiting for definitive evidence of risk can have serious consequences
Human and environmental systems are too complex to be
understood through evidence alone.
Science has limits in establishing risks.
Conventional risk-benefit analyses underplay potential risks.


14. Please indicate your views about the following statements:

The precautionary principle has limitations as a useful guide to risk-based decision making because:

Agree Neutral Disagree
The definition of the principle is unclear
The principle makes scientific evaluation of risk irrelevant.
The principle encourages economic protectionism.
The principle can deny the public access to the
benefits of a technology.


15. What level of certainty of a serious negative event occurring do you require before applying the precautionary principle?




16. For the decisions to which you have applied the precautionary principle, how serious were the threats of harm to the environment, resources or human health compared to the risks you typically assess?




17. Do you apply the precautionary principle along a continuum, so that the more serious the threat the lower the level of scientific certainty required to take measures to protect against the threat?



18. How important are the following in determining whether you utilize the precautionary principle?
(1 = Very Important to 5 = Not Important 6 = Not Relevant):
Very Important

                           Not Important               Not Relevant
1 2 3 4 5 6
Public pressure to appropriately manage risk.
The influence of special interest groups.
Evidence/ testimony provided by academics.
Legal concerns.
The perceived seriousness of the threat.
(i.e. The more serious a threat the more likely to apply principle).
Ambiguity of evidence regarding the seriousness of the threat.
(i.e. The less understood the magnitude of the threat, the more likely to
apply the principle).
The application of the precautionary principle in other countries
on the same risk management question.


19. Which of the following statements do you most agree with?



20. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

"The precautionary principle has a significant impact on risk-based decision making".



21. Please add any additional comments you feel may assist us in understanding your views on the application of the precautionary principle to risk-based decision making. In particular, feel free to comment on the use of a precautionary approach as opposed to the precautionary principle.

yourself who are involved in risk-based decision making.
For more information please contact Dr. Kumanan Wilson (kumanan.wilson@unh.on.ca). Survey managed by GNS Ltd. (http://www.gns.ca)