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.
