Pan Am Games
have caused no disruptions: two thirds
One quarter attended events, close to half follow on TV
TORONTO JULY 16th
- In a random
sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 825 Toronto adults,
just more than one third say the Pan Am Games have caused disruptions in their
daily lives (38%), and among this group, just one fifth say the disruptions
were very serious (21%, or about 8% of total Toronto adults). Incidence of
disruption is especially high among the youngest (57%), in the former city of
York (52% - caution: small sample size) and among Torontonians with an Asian
background (55% - caution: small sample size). Thinking the disruptions serious
is common to mid age groups, males and those in Etobicoke.
One quarter attended or will attend, close to half follow on TV
Just more than
a quarter of Toronto adults say have attended or will attend a Pan Am Games
event (27%), and this is especially characteristic of the early mid aged (35 to
44 - 32%), the wealthiest ($100K to $250K - 33%) and in the downtown (32%). New
Democrats, both federal (33%) or provincial (31%) are more likely to attend
than Conservatives (19%) or Progressive Conservatives (19%).
Close to half
have followed the Pan Am Games on TV (46%), and this is especially the case
among the oldest, the less wealthy and most places in the city except North York.
One-in-thirty
three Torontonians is volunteering at the games (3%).
3-in-10 want HOV lanes to stay
Three-in-ten
Toronto adults want to see the temporary HOV lanes continue after the Pan Am
Games are over, and this is especially true among Gen X (35 to 44 - 40%),
higher income groups ($60K to $80K - 37%), in the downtown (35%) and among
federal New Democrats (38%). Close to 6-in-10 disagree with maintaining the HOV
lanes (57%) and about one sixth have no opinion (14%).
“It’s a Canadian thing.
Everyone grumbled about the Pan Am Games and the traffic disruptions until they
didn’t anymore. Now everyone is involved and enjoying themselves. This was also
the pattern with the Vancouver Olympics. What everyone assumed was going to be
washout turned into a great show enjoyed by all," 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.
