In the upcoming mayoral election in Toronto, incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow is leading the race by a significant margin, according to a recent poll conducted by Liaison Strategies. The poll, released on Wednesday, shows Chow with 50% of support among decided and leaning voters, while her main opponent, Brad Bradford, trails behind at 39%. Chris Alexander is in a distant third place with 10% of the support.
Not only is Chow ahead in the polls, but she also boasts a 51% approval rating for her performance as mayor, with a 45% disapproval rate. The city’s residents seem divided on the direction of Toronto, with 47% feeling it’s headed in the right direction and 48% believing it’s on the wrong path, according to Daniel Burtnick of Liaison Strategies.
The poll, based on surveys conducted with 1,000 Toronto residents by phone on Sept. 4 and 5, has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. It delved into various aspects of city life, including property-tax rates, service priorities, TTC usage during the pandemic, and factors that would encourage residents to use public transit more frequently.
When it comes to taxes, around a third of respondents expressed a desire for frozen or reduced taxes, even if it means cutting back on some city services. Affordable housing and homelessness services, public transit, and emergency services like police, fire, and paramedics were highlighted as the top three areas that respondents believe deserve increased funding.
Regarding TTC usage, the poll revealed that nearly 40% of respondents are using the buses, streetcars, and subways at a similar frequency as before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, 29% stated they are riding less often, mainly due to changes in their school or work routines. To encourage more ridership, respondents emphasized the importance of more frequent and reliable service, as well as improved personal safety measures.
