Toronto
public split on hybrid vs boulevard
Boulevard favoured only in downtown
In a random
sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 822 Toronto voters,
almost equal proportions, between 4-in-10 and one half, prefer either the
hybrid option for the eastern portion of the Gardiner Expressway (46%) or the
boulevard option (42%). One tenth don’t have an opinion (12%).
The hybrid
option is more strongly preferred among boomers (55 to 65 - 49%), residents of
East York (59%), York (55%) and Scarborough (55%), Doug Ford voters from the
last mayoral elections (58%), Conservative voters federally (59%), those who
approve of Rob Ford (58%) and those who approve of Mark Saunders as police
chief (51%).
In turn, the
boulevard option is more strongly preferred by the oldest (45%), middle income
brackets ($60K to $80K - 54%), the very wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 55%),
downtown Toronto (53%) and among those who voted for Olivia Chow (65%).
“We are told
that city council is almost evenly split on this choice, with a bit more weight
on the hybrid side. Well, that is exactly how the city feels about it, so
councilors must rely on their own judgment on this issue, rather than any clear
statement of preference from voters," 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.
