BC Real Estate Association Survey
Vancouver, BC - A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) shows that 92% of British Columbians rate the quality of life in their community positively ("very good" or "good"). While perceptions of overall quality of life are favourable, the majority (60%) of British Columbians say that managing growth and development should be a "very high" or "high" priority for government, a view that has gained ground since 2005 (55%).
Overall, the research suggests that water supply and infrastructure is an important issue for many British Columbians. Specifically, when given a choice among four key initiatives related to growth and development, 46% of respondents select "increased provincial government investment in water supply and infrastructure" as the number one priority. In comparison, all other initiatives rank lower in importance, including "the development of a provincial housing strategy for owners and renters" (22% greatest priority), "elimination of the Property Transfer Tax" (17% greatest priority), and "compensating property owners when their property is expropriated or property use is restricted in any way" (12% greatest priority).
Most British Columbians are satisfied with specific services provided by their municipality. This includes 89% satisfied with "providing parks and other recreational services or facilities", 84% satisfied with "providing safe drinking water", 70% satisfied with "encouraging economic investment that brings jobs to your area", 67% satisfied with "taking steps to ensure your community is safe and free of violent crime", 64% satisfied with "maintaining or upgrading the condition of local streets and highways", and 62% satisfied with "providing convenient and accessible public transportation". However, British Columbians are less complimentary of steps their local government is taking to address traffic congestion and to make homes more affordable. Specifically, only 44% are satisfied with "easing traffic congestion on local roads and highways", while only 33% are satisfied with "taking steps to ensure there are homes to buy at affordable prices".
These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid telephone/online poll conducted between January 4 and 14, 2007. The poll is based on a randomly selected sample of 1,392 adult British Columbians. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 2.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult British Columbian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual British Columbian population according to the 2001 Census data.
For more information on this press release, please contact:
Daniel Savas
Senior Vice-President
Ipsos Reid
(604) 893-1610
Ipsos Reid
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