One Half Approve of Scarborough Subway Decision

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One Half Approve of Scarborough Subway Decision

One fifth will not vote for a candidate who supported the subway, however

In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 868 Toronto voters, one half approve of city council’s final decision to build the Scarborough subway over the Scarborough LRT (49%). Just more than a third disapprove (35%), and one eighth don’t venture an opinion (16%). Support for the subway is characteristic of the youngest (53%), the least wealthy (often a proxy for youth - 55%), in Scarborough, not surprisingly (63%), among mothers (57%), those with some college (56%), motorists (56%), but not cyclists (26%) nor pedestrians commuters (40%), among Doug Ford voters (66%), but not among Olivia Chow voters (26%).

One fifth will not vote for a candidate who supported subway

In total, one fifth of Toronto voters will not vote for a candidate in the 2018 municipal elections who supported the Scarborough subway (20%), while just fewer will not vote a candidate who opposed the subway (17%). Four-in-ten are not influenced in their vote by the subway decision (43%) and one fifth do not venture an opinion (20%). Among those who approve of the subway, about 3-in-10 will not vote for an opponent of the project (29%), whereas, among those who oppose the subway, the intention not to vote for a subway supporter is stronger (42%). It is clear the engagement level is higher among subway opponents; just 3-in-10 say the subway decision will not affect their vote (31%), whereas almost one half of those who support the subway say the decision will have no impact on their vote (47%).

Other groups who will use their vote to punish subway proponents are the wealthiest (25%), in the downtown (25%) and East York (26%), among the best educated (post grad - 26%), cyclists (36%) and Olivia Chow voters (38%).

Groups who would reward subway supporters are especially likely to be wealthy ($80K to $100K - 25%), in Scarborough (27%) and Doug Ford voters (32%).

“Well, city hall finally voted in favour of subways, subways, subways, and that’s two more subways than this one has stops. Nevertheless, nearly half the voters are happy a decision was made, at least. It appears, however, those who don’t like the idea now, won’t like it in 2018, and they may be looking for revenge” 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.