September 19, 2018 issue

Greater Toronto

Torontonians opposed to use of notwithstanding clause to reduce size of City Council, survey finds

Quito Maggi, President & CEO of Mainstreet Research
Toronto – Torontonians are strongly opposed to Premier Doug Ford's use of the notwithstanding clause to reduce the size of Toronto City Council from 47 to 25, a new Mainstreet Research survey has found.
The survey was conducted on September 15 and 16th among a sample of 802 adults, 18 years of age or older living in Toronto. The margin of error for this poll is +/- 3.46% and is accurate 19 times out of 20.
"Make no mistake about it: Doug Ford is on the wrong side of public opinion when it comes to his use of the notwithstanding clause", said Quito Maggi, President and CEO of Mainstreet Research. "65% of Torontonians say that they oppose the Premier's move, with nearly 56% saying that they strongly disapprove."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford

The poll also found that Torontonians do not agree with reducing the size of City Council, with just over 55% of respondents saying that they disapprove of the decision, with 46% saying they strongly disagree with having a smaller Council.
"What is interesting is that opposition to both the use of the notwithstanding clause and the reduction of City Council is opposed strongly by residents in nearly all areas in Toronto - including the Premier's home neighbourhood in Etobicoke," Maggi added. "Only in North York do we find more people narrowly agreeing with having fewer councillors."
Torontonians also oppose having Toronto secede from the province of Ontario and become an autonomous city within the Canadian federation, an idea first mused upon by mayoral candidate Jennifer Keesmaat.
"Keesmaat was right to walk back her idea for Toronto secession because Toronto voters are almost as opposed to the notion as the Premier using the notwithstanding clause," continued Maggi.
The poll also asked which mayoral candidate they were planning to vote for. Among decided voters, incumbent John Tory leads with 61.8%, while Keesmaat has 25.6%. Faith Goldy has 6% support while 6.4% of Torontonians said they would support another candidate.

 
 
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