Even Split on Whether
to Bid on Expo 2025
Few approve of a publicly funded bid
In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum
Poll™ among 882 Toronto voters, almost exactly equal proportions support (42%)
or oppose (43%) the idea of Toronto making a bid to host Expo 2025. One in six
have no opinion (16%).
Support for the idea is greatest among the younger mid aged
(35 to 44 - 54%), the least wealthy (50%), among those with children (49%) and
among those who commute to work or school by bicycle (48%).
In comparison, when asked last year if Toronto should bid on
the 2024 Olympics, 6-in-10 supported the idea (July, 2015- 61%).
Two thirds disapprove of a publicly funded bid
When Toronto voters are asked, however, just fewer than one
quarter (22%) support using public funds to bid on Expo 2025 (22%) and 6-in-10
oppose the idea (63%). One sixth has no opinion (15%). In comparison, when we
asked this question last year of the 2024 Olympics, just more than a third
supported the idea (36%), while more than a half opposed the idea (53%).
“It appears the idea of Expo 2025 doesn’t have the cachet of
the 2024 Olympics, about which Torontonians are more excited, even when
publicly funded. It is clear, though, however enthusiastic the city is about
these international shindigs, they don’t think they should be funded out of the
public purse” 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.
