Projected Cost of Scarborough Subway Extension Unreasonable Say Almost Half of Voters

Projected Cost of Scarborough Subway Extension Unreasonable Say Almost Half of Voters

More than six-in-ten say the extension will cost more than projected

Toronto, April 6^th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 840 Toronto voters, close to half (48%), disagree that the projected $3.34 billion cost of the Scarborough subway extension and stacked bus garage is reasonable. A third (33%) agree that the cost is reasonable, and (19%) say they don’t know.

Respondents most likely to say the cost is unreasonable include those aged 45-54 (54%) or 55-64 (53%), males (52%), earning $80,000-$100,000 (56%), with a college/university degree (51%) or post-graduate degree (52%), supporting Doug Ford for mayor (48%), and supporting the NDP (59%) or Green Party (61%).

Respondents most likely to agree the cost is reasonable include those aged 34 or younger (36%) or 35-44 (38%), earning $40,000-$60,000 (49%), with some college or university (43%), living in Scarborough (44%), and supporting the Liberals (37%) or Progressive Conservatives (38%).

Overruns a given

More than six-in-ten (63%) believe the one-stop Scarborough subway extension and stacked bus garage will cost more than the projected $3.34 billion. Only (12%) think it will come in on budget, with (8%) saying that the project will finish under budget. (17%) don’t know how much the final costs will be.

Respondents most likely to say the extension project will cost more include those aged 45-54 (67%) or 55-64 (67%), males (66%), the most wealthy (73%), with a college/university degree (66%) or post-graduate degree (65%), living in Etobicoke (69%) or the Former City of Toronto (68%), and supporting the NDP (68%) or Progressive Conservatives (65%).

Respondents most likely to say it will come in on budget include the least wealthy (19%) or earning $20,000-$40,000 (22%), and supporting the Liberal Party (15%).

“Almost half of voters think the cost of the Scarborough Subway Extension Project is unreasonable, and more than six-in-ten think it will cost more than currently budgeted,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research

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.