1
in 2 unsatisfied with snow removal from sidewalks
9 in 10 Torontonians want cars blocking streetcar routes
to be fined or towed
Toronto, February
25th — In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum
Poll™
among 1077 Torontonians 18 years of age or older, 9 in 10 (92%) believe that cars parked next to snowbanks
that block streetcar routes should be fined and/or towed.
A
quarter (23%) stated that a small fine and immediate towing is the city’s best
option to deal with blocked streetcars routes.
1
in 5 stated that only immediate towing should occur (22%), a large fine should
be given and immediate towing (20%) or a small fine should be handed out only
(19%). 1 in 10 (9%) stated that only a large fine should be given. 1 in 10 (8%)
believe that cars parked next to snowbanks that block streetcar routes is not
an issue.
1
in 2 unsatisfied with snow removal services on city sidewalks
Just over half (BTM2: 55%) are not satisfied with snow
removal services on Toronto sidewalks with just under a third (29%) who are not
satisfied at all. Just under half (TOP2: 45%) are satisfied with over 1 in 10
(12%) who are very satisfied.
Two thirds (BTM2: 63%) of those who live in the Former
City of Toronto are dissatisfied with snow removal services on sidewalks, compared
to 6 in 10 of those in York (BTM2: 58%) and those in Scarborough (BTM2: 56%).
1 in 2 (TOP2: 53%) residents in North York were the most
satisfied with snow removal on city sidewalks.
Majority
want snow cleared from all sidewalks
The
majority of Torontonians (56%) want to see snow cleared from all sidewalks
throughout the city. 1 in 6 (16%) want to see the snow removal program for
sidewalks to remain as it is. 1 in 10 (8%) would want the city to stop clearing
snow from all sidewalks except for those who are unable to remove it due to
disability or age. 1 in 10 (10%) stated that sidewalks should be cleared in
busy pedestrian areas only. 1 in 10 (7%) are unsure.
1
in 2 would like the end of driveways cleared by city
1
in 2 (49%) would like to see the city clearing the ends of all residential
driveways. 1 in 5 (21%) would like to leave the residential driveway clearing
program as it is while 1 in 10 (13%) would want the city to stop clearing snow
from all residential driveways. 1 in 5 (18%) are unsure.
4
in 10 (39%) of residents from the former City of Toronto would like to see the
city clearing the ends of all residential driveways compared to 6 in 10 (57%)
of Scarborough residents who share the same sentiment.
1
in 3 state that snow removal services have been worse this year
Over
a third (37%) would say snow removal services have been worse this year than
previous years. 1 in 2 (52%) have stated that snow removal services have been
about the same as previous years. Only 1 in 10 (11%) would state snow removal
services have been better as previous years.
1
in 2 (48%) residents in Scarborough stated that this year’s snow removal has
been worse than previous winters compared to 1 in 4 (23%) of those from York.
1
in 2 want the city to start plowing major roads at less than 5 cms
Currently,
the city starts to plow major city roads after five centimetres of snow has
fallen. 1 in 2 (54%) stated that the city should start plowing major city roads
at less than five centimeters of accumulation. 4 in 10 (39%) stated that it
should be kept the same and plowing should begin at five centimetres. 1 in 10
(7%) stated that plowing should start at more than five centimetres.
6
in 10 stated the city should continue plowing expressways at 2 cms
Currently,
the city starts to plow expressways after 2 centimetres of snow have fallen.
The majority (62%) stated that the city should continue plowing expressways
when two centimetres have accumulated. A quarter (24%) stated that the city
should start to plow at less than two centimetres and a sixth (15%) believe
that the city should plow at more than two centimetres.
1
in 3 (36%) of residents living in York believe that the city should start
plowing expressways at less than two centimetres in comparison with 1 in 5
(22%) of those in East York.
Over
half are satisfied with snow removal from city streets
Just over half
of Torontonians (TOP2: 54%) are satisfied with snow removal services on Toronto
roads with a sixth (14%) stating that they are very satisfied and 4 in 10 who are
somewhat satisfied. Just under half (BTM2: 46%) are not satisfied with 1 in 4 (27%)
who are not very satisfied and 1 in 5 (19%) who are not satisfied at all.
Residents in
Scarborough were the least satisfied with over half (BTM2: 55%) who are
dissatisfied with snow removal services. Residents in Etobicoke were the most
satisfied with 6 in 10 (63%) who were satisfied with snow removal services.
Most believe the salt usage should be
kept the same
The plurality of Torontonians (45%)
stated that the city should keep salt usage about the same. Over a quarter
(28%) stated that the city should use more salt while a quarter (26%) stated
that the city should use less salt.
1 in 3 (35%) residents in the former
City of Toronto stated that the city should use less salt while 1 in 5 (20%)
residents in Etobicoke stating the same thing.
4 in 10 approve of John Tory
4 in 10 (45%) approve of John Tory as
mayor while 1 in 4 (27%) disapprove. 3 in 10 (29%) were unsure.
1 in 2 (51%) of those who disapprove
of John Tory also stated snow removal services have been worse this year than
previous years. Of those who approve of John Tory, 1 in 3 (37%) felt snow
removal services have been worse.
“A third of Torontonians are unhappy
with snow removal services this year,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of
Forum Research. “City sidewalks are a particular issue that City Hall can focus
on for winters to come, with over half unsatisfied with snow removal and the
plurality wanting the snow removed from all sidewalks.”
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.
