7-in-10 want Fennell to resign

| Filed under: Social Issues

8-in-10 disapprove of the job she's doing

TORONTO August 9th, 2014 – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1178 Brampton voters, as many as 7-in-10 want Mayor Susan Fennell to resign (69%), and even more disapprove of the way she's doing her job (79%). Demands for her resignation are especially common to Boomer voters (55 to 64 - 74%), males (73%), South Asians (75%), past provincial PC voters (73%) and NDP supporters (84%) and those living east of Hurontario and north of Queen Street (74%). Characteristics of those who disapprove of her performance in office are similar to those who want her to resign. Disapproval of the Mayor has increased since the last time we polled this question (April, 2014 - 71%). One fifth approve of her performance (21%), and a similar proportion think she should stay in office (23%) while one tenth don't know if she should or not (8%). Those who approve of her performance tend to be younger (35 to 44 - 29%), of British Isles origin (32%), those with kids (26%) and those in the southwest of the city. Those who don't want Fennell to resign are especially likely to be of British Isles origin (37%).


One half believe crimes were committed

One half the voters in Brampton believe crimes were committed during the spending controversy (51%) and this is especially the case among the youngest (57%), males (57%), higher income groups ($80K to $100K - 59%), South Asians (56%), those of Caribbean origin (60%), provincial PC and NDP voters (57% each), those north of Queen and east of Hurontario (56%) and those south of Queen and west of Hurontario (55%). One sixth don't think crimes were committed (15%) and as many as one third have no opinion (34%). This is in contrast to this spring, when as many as 6-in-10 thought crimes had been committed (60%), one quarter thought not (23%) and one sixth or so didn't know (17%). In other words, voters are less certain now than earlier that crimes were committed in the spending controversy.

Linda Jeffrey leads in mayoral race

When four possible candidates for mayor are tested, former provincial Cabinet Minister Linda Jeffrey is in the lead with 4-in-10 votes (39%), compared to one quarter for city councillor John Sanderson (24%). Mayor Fennell gathers just more than a tenth of the vote (13%) and Gurratan Singh claims less than this (8%). One seventh have no opinion (16%). These vote shares are similar to those noted in the spring (April 28 - Jeffrey - 37%, Sanderson - 24%, Fennell - 17%, Singh - 8%).


Jeffrey's support is common to Gen X (45 to 54 - 44%), higher income groups ($80K to $100K - 48%), the best educated (post grad - 45%), South Asians (44%) and those of Caribbean descent (45%), provincial Liberals (48%) and NDP voters (54%) and those north of Queen and east of Hurontario (45%). Sanderson sees his support among the oldest (34%), the least wealthy and the wealthiest (31% each), the least educated (32%), those of British Isles background (37%), past PC voters (37%) and in the southwest quadrant of the city (31%). Fennell retains her slim support especially among the least wealthy (20%), among those of British Isles extraction (26%) and those with kids (18%), Gurratan Singh finds his support among the best educated (12%) and South Asians (20%).


Linda Jeffrey with highest approval

Two thirds are aware of Linda Jeffrey (65%), but her approval among this group is characteristic of three quarters (72%). One half are aware of John Sanderson (49%) and two thirds approve of him (64%). Gurratan Singh is known to just one fifth (22%), and his approval is at just less than a half (45%). As stated earlier, Susan Fennell's approval is at one fifth (21%).

"I don't know how much lower Susan Fennell can go in approval ratings, and the calls for her resignation are mounting. She can't prevail against Linda Jeffrey in the mayoral race, so her participation at this point will be strictly symbolic," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.