4 in 10 Say The Greenbelt Should Be Expanded

4 in 10 Say The Greenbelt Should Be Expanded

Few think it should be reduced for more urban development

Toronto, November 7^th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 1281 Canadian voters, 4 in 10 (39%) say the greenbelt should be expanded to include more greenspace, while a quarter (23%) say that it's about the right size. Few (5%) say that the greenbelt should be reduced to make way for urban development, while a third (32%) say they do not know.

Respondents most likely to say that the greenbelt should be expanded include those aged 34 and younger (47%) or 35-44 (45%), females (46%), the least wealthy (51%), living in Québec (43%) or Ontario (44%), supporting the Green Party (63%), with some college/university (42%) or a post-graduate degree (42%).

Respondents most likely to say the size of the greenbelt should be reduced include males (9%), those earning $60,000-$80,000 (6%), $80,000-$100,000 (9%), or the most wealthy (7%), and supporting the Conservatives (11%).

Only a third familiar with the Greenbelt...

Only a third (TOP2: 32%) say they are familiar with the greenbelt in Canada's Capital Region. 6 in 10 (BTM2: 59%) say they are unfamiliar with the greenbelt, while few (9%) say they do not know.

Respondents most likely to say they are familiar with the greenbelt include those aged 45-54 (36%) or 55-64 (35%), earning $40,000-$60,000 (31%), $60,000-$80,000 (31%), $80,000-$100,000 (33%), or the most wealthy (34%), living in Ontario (51%), supporting the Green Party (40%), and with some college/university (35%) or a post-graduate degree (36%).

... but those that know it, overwhelmingly see it as a source of pride

Of the third that said they were familiar with the greenbelt, three-quarters (TOP2: 76%) said that they agreed it was a source of pride for many Canadians, with more than 4 in 10 (44%) saying they strongly agreed. Only 2 in 10 (BTM2: 20%) said they disagreed, with few (6%) saying they disagreed strongly.

Respondents most likely to agree include those aged 34 and younger (77%), 45-54 (77%), 55-64 (78%), 65+ (77%), females (79%), earning $20,000-$40,000 (78%) or$40,000-$60,000 (81%), living in Québec (84%), supporting the Liberals (85%) or NDP (83%), and with some college/university (79%). 

“Many support the greenbelt and would see its expansion favourably,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research. “Additionally, amongst those familiar with the greenbelt, there is an overwhelming belief that it’s a source of pride for many Canadians, suggesting it's effectively meeting its mandate.”

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.