Two thirds approve of downtown revitalization capital projects
TORONTO September
4th, 2014 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the
Forum Poll™ among 737 London, Ontario voters, two thirds (64%) approve of downtown capital-intensive
revitalization projects, and this support is common to the youngest (69%), the
wealthy ($60K to $80K - 78%) and the wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 76%), among
renters (69%), provincial Liberals (79%), north of York Street and west of
Richmond Street (72%) and among Matt Brown supporters (83%), but not among
Cheng partisans (44%).
Two thirds approve of Official Plan
Two thirds of
London voters approve of the city's official plan, calling for downtown
densification and containing urban sprawl (65%), and approval is characteristic
of the oldest (69%), males (70%), the wealthiest (84%), the best educated (post
grad - 77%), those with children (89%), provincial Liberals (81%), in the south
west of the city (72%) and among Matt Brown supporters (81%) and Caranci
partisans (76% - caution: small sample size).
One half want a city integrity commissioner
One
half approve of the idea of appointing a city integrity commissioner (52%),
while just more than a third do not approve (37%). One tenth have no opinion
(11%). Approving of the idea is common to mid-income groups ($60K to $80K -
63%), property owners (57%), the best educated (post grad - 61%),
provincial Liberals (66%) and Caranci supporters (72% - caution: small sample
size).
Majority think London right size now
The
majority of voters agree London is the right size now (57%), while one third
think it needs to grow (35%), and just one tenth have no opinion (8%). Wanting
a bigger city is characteristic of Gen Y (35 to 44 - 44%), males (44%), the
wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 49%), those with children (41%), Liberals (51%)
and Caranci voters (61% - caution: small sample size).
Jobs and growth most important issue in campaign
Jobs
and growth is the most important issue in this campaign (38%), followed by
about half this proportion for keeping taxes low (20%) and integrity and
transparency at city hall (19%). Other issues are not seen to be as important
(opportunities for youth - 7%, containing urban sprawl - 6%, downtown
densification - 3%, something else - 6%). Matt Brown voters are equally
concerned with jobs and growth (31%) and transparency at city hall (28%), and
also keeping taxes low (12%) and containing urban sprawl (11%). Paul Cheng
voters are most concerned with keeping taxes low (37%), followed by jobs and growth
(31%), Caranci voters concern themselves almost completely with jobs and growth
(55% - caution: small base size), while Swan voters want jobs, growth and low
taxes (28% each - caution: small base size).
"Jobs and growth are
what everyone wants more of in Ontario, it's the top issue in every municipal
campaign. What's interesting is the other issues which matter. Matt Brown's
people are interested in transparency and ethics at city hall because they're
the anti-Fontanas. Matt also appears to have the pulse of the city on his
support for the official Plan and capital projects," 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.
