John Tory
maintains sky-high approval rating
Chief Saunders also has high approval
TORONTO, MAY 6th,
2015 - In a
random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 822 Toronto
voters, more than 7-in-10 approved of the job John Tory was doing as mayor
(72%), and this is comparable to his approval ratings from last month (April 11
- 71%) or, indeed, from any month since he was elected mayor. Approval of the
mayor is characteristic of the oldest (82%) and the wealthiest ($100K to $250K
- 83%).
Mark Saunders receives relatively high approval
Close
to one half of Toronto voters approve of the job newly appointed Police Chief
Mark Saunders is doing (44%), and this is especially notable when compared to
the fact that as many know nothing about him (41%). Just one seventh disapprove
of the chief at this point (14%), which gives him a very positive net score (approve
minus disapprove) of +30. Chief Saunders’ support is characteristic of younger
voters (35 to 44 - 51%), the less wealthy ($20K to $40K - 61%), among Doug Ford
voters (53%), but not in the downtown (38%). Black voters are likely to support
the chief (50% - caution: small base size), as are those who support carding
(57%).
Rob Ford’s approval slips
Just
fewer than 4-in-10 approve of the job Rob Ford is doing as a city councillor
(39%), and this is down from February, when we last polled this question and
pegged the councillor’s approval at close to half the voters (45%). Close to
half now disapprove of Ford (44%) and as many as one fifth don’t have an
opinion (17%). Ford’s approval is highest among the least wealthy (54%), in
Etobicoke (47%) but not downtown (21%). Ford’s highest approval is among black
citizens (67% - caution: small base size).
"John Tory is the real deal;
he’s maintaining extremely high levels of approval while still managing to take
some tough and, frankly, some unpopular decisions. That’s the mark of an
inspiring leader. Rob Ford, on the other hand, has seen his brand equity
diminish, probably because his visibility has diminished. Mark Saunders is a
revelation, though. While 4-in-10 know nothing about him, almost everybody else
gives him their approval, it appears," 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.
