Most Think Toronto
Has A Spending Problem, Not A Revenue Problem
Despite this, most see answer in higher taxes, not cuts
TORONTO November 16th
– In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 778
Toronto voters, the largest group, about 4-in-10, say Toronto has a spending
problem (43%), while fewer than this, about one third, say Toronto has a
revenue problem (35%). Only one in fourteen think the city has neither (7%),
and one sixth don’t know (15%). Belief the city overspends is characteristic of
males (47%) rather than females (40%), those in lower income brackets ($20K to
$60K - 49%), in York (52%) and Scarborough (55%), those who commute in private
vehicles (53%), those who disapprove of John Tory as mayor (63%) and those who
voted for Doug Ford (76%). Belief there is a problem gathering revenue is
characteristic of the oldest (40%), the least wealthy (less than $20K - 43%),
in the downtown (46%), the best educated (post grad - 46%), those who commute
by public transit (46%) and bicycle (52%) and by those who voted for Olivia
Chow (53%).
Raising taxes seen as preferable to cutting services
More than 4-in-10
say city taxes should be increased to pay for services (41%), rather than the
smaller group, about one third, who say services should be cut to keep taxes
low (35%). One fifth thinks neither of
these courses of action is necessary (20%) and just one twentieth don’t know
what to think (5%). Raising taxes is a position common to the oldest (55%), the
wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 55%), in the downtown (59%) and East York (62% -
caution: small base size), the best educated (53%), bike commuters (72%) and
Olivia Chow voters (63%). Cutting services instead is especially favoured by
the least wealthy (less than $20K - 49%), in Scarborough (44%), the least
educated (secondary school or less - 46%), those who disapprove of John Tory
(46%) and those who voted for Doug Ford (54%).
“While it appears we
have answered the eternal Toronto question, is it a revenue or a spending
problem, in fact we have opened up another question, in that voters think the
answer is, nonetheless, to raise taxes to continue to pay for the services
they’re used to rather than to cut them,” 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.
