Even
split on Chief Blair's termination
One half say he did good/excellent job
TORONTO August 6th, 2014 – In a random sampling of
public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among a sample of 1268 Toronto voters,
equal proportions approve of the action of the Toronto Police Services Board
(TPSB) in not renewing Chief Bill Blair's contract (39%) or disapprove of this
decision (41%), while as many as a fifth have no opinion (20%). Those who
approve the decision are most likely to be male (46%), those who approve of Rob
Ford (56%) and will vote for him (64%), provincial PC voters (57%) and NDP
supporters (51%), Those who disapprove are most likely to be younger (48%),
provincial Liberal voters (55%) and John Tory supporters (54%).
One half rate Chief "good" or
"excellent"
More
than one half of Toronto voters (55%) give the chief a positive assessment
(excellent - 20%, good - 35%), while just more than a third (37%) give him a
less favourable rating (fair - 25%, poor - 12%). One tenth have no opinion
(8%). Favourable ratings are common to the oldest (65+ - 64%), females (60%),
mid income groups ($60K to $80K - 60%), in North York (62%), the least
educated (64%), those who disapprove of Rob Ford (63%), provincial Liberals
(68%), and John Tory supporters (71%).
"Because of his role in the ongoing Rob Ford controversy,
Chief Blair has alienated that portion of the city that supports the mayor.
Apart from that, however, he is well-liked and will be missed by the kind of
voters who gravitate to John Tory in the mayoral race," 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.
