Majority Approve of
Mayor’s Across-the-Board Budget Cut
Cutting costs widely preferred to raising taxes
In a random sampling
of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 882 Toronto voters, just more
than one half (54%) approve of Mayor Tory’s requirement that all city
departments and agencies cut 2.6% of their budgets, while just 3-in-10
disapprove (30%). Approval is highest among boomers (55 to 64 - 62%), mid
income groups ($60K to $80K - 63%), in Etobicoke (64%), among the best educated
(post grad - 61%) and among those who commute by car (60%). Past voters for
Mayor Tory are especially likely to approve (68%)
Two thirds prefer cutting costs; one quarter prefer raising
taxes
When asked the best
way to balance the city’s budget, the clear majority, two thirds, opts for
cutting costs (63%) whereas just one quarter picks raising taxes (26%), a
recommendation common to the oldest (33%), the very wealthiest ($100K to $250K
- 38%), in the downtown (39%) and East York (34%), among the best educated
(34%) and especially among Olivia Chow voters (55%).
Neither TTC nor library seen to be able to afford 2.6% cut; not
so police
One half of Toronto
voters say the TTC cannot afford to cut 2.6% of its budget (50%), whereas just
one third think this is possible (37%), Just fewer, more than 4-in-10 (44%)
think the Toronto Public Library can’t afford to make the cuts, while somewhat
fewer think it can (38%). In contrast, more than half think the Toronto Police
Service can afford to trim its budget (54%), and just less than half think it
cannot (44%).
“While most agree
with his across-the-board approach to budget cutting, it is interesting to note
the one group in favour of raising taxes over cutting spending is the oldest, a
very important cohort to Mayor Tory’s electoral success” 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.
