Public Perception of the "Metro Days of Action"

Almost seven-in-ten (67%) Torontonians oppose the efforts of the "Metro Days of Action" coalition groups and unions actions according to a recent CFRB/The Toronto Sun/Angus Reid Group Poll conducted among 400 randomly-selected adult residents of the Greater Toronto Area. The survey was conducted between October 18th and 20th, 1996. The key findings of the poll were:

Under three-in-ten (28%) GTA residents support the efforts of the coalition groups and unions taking this action and four percent are undecided.

Males (72% versus 63% of females), GTA residents aged 55 and older (80%) and provincial Tory supporters (92%) are most likely to oppose these actions.

Females (33% versus 24% of males), those aged 18 to 34 (37%) and provincial NDP supporters (68%) are most likely to support these actions.

Public Opinion of Labour Unions & Social Justice Groups

Public opinion of the labour unions and social justice groups sponsoring the "Metro Days of Action" will worsen amongst almost four-in-ten (37%) of GTA residents and will stay the same amongst just under one-half (47%) of those surveyed.

Eleven percent of GTA residents mention that their opinion of these groups will improve and five percent are unsure how their opinion would be affected.

Males (43% versus 32% of females), Torontonians aged 55 and older (49%), and those who are more affluent are most likely to indicate that their opinions of labour unions and social justice groups sponsoring the "Metro Days of Action" will worsen.

Provincial NDP supporters (35%) and those earning annual household incomes of $30,000 to $59,999 (15%) are most likely to mention that their opinions of these groups will improve. Public Opinion of the Provincial Government

The "Metro Days of Action" protests is not expected to have a significant impact upon public opinion of the provincial government. Just under seven-in-ten (68%) GTA residents report that their opinion of the provincial government will stay the same.

Twelve percent of GTA residents mention that their opinion of the provincial government will worsen and twelve percent indicate that their opinion of the provincial government will improve. Eight percent are unsure how their opinion would be affected.

Younger Torontonians aged 18 to 34 (19%) and provincial Liberal supporters (22%) are most likely to indicate that their opinion of the provincial government will worsen as a result of the "Metro Days of Action" protests.

GTA residents aged 55 and older (19%), males (16% versus 9% of females) and provincial Tory supporters (20%) are most likely to mention that their opinion of the provincial government will improve as a result of these actions.

Public Support

Public support becomes more divisive when GTA residents were asked, "Thinking about the plans these groups have for their 'Metro Days of Action' in shutting down the city and about the spending cuts and policies of the provincial government, would you say that you are more inclined to support the provincial government or more inclined to support the protesters?" (Read on a rotated basis).

Just under one-half (47%) of GTA residents report they are more inclined to support the provincial government, compared to just under four-in-ten (39%) who mention they are more inclined to support the protesters. One-in-ten (11%) would support neither side and three percent are undecided.

Males (55% versus 40% of females), older GTA residents (58% amongst those aged 55 and older), provincial Tory supporters (85%) and those who are most affluent (55% amongst those with annual household incomes of $60,000 or more) are most likely to support the provincial government.

Females (44% versus 34% of males), younger Torontonians (52% amongst those aged 18 to 34), provincial NDP (83%) and Liberal (59%) supporters and the least affluent (46% amongst those with annual household incomes of less than $30,000) are most likely to support the protesters. Provincial Voting Intentions:

The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party enjoys the highest party popularity among decided voters in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), followed closely by the Ontario Liberal Party.

Just under one-half (45%) GTA decided voters would support the Progressive Conservative Party if a provincial election was held tomorrow. Shadowing the provincial Tories, over one-third (36%) of decided voters in the Greater Toronto Area would support the provincial Liberal Party. The NDP hold support among 13 percent of decided GTA voters, and other provincial parties hold the support of 6% of GTA residents.

Tory support is highest amongst GTA residents aged 35 and older, amongst males (51% versus 38% of females) and amongst those who are more affluent (56% of those with annual household incomes of $60,000 or more).

The provincial Liberals enjoy strong support amongst younger (48% of those aged 18 to 34) and less affluent GTA residents (51% of those with annual household incomes of less than $30,000). Support for the NDP is highest among the least affluent voters (earning annual household incomes of less than $30,000).

Right Track/Wrong Track

A majority (56%) of residents of the Greater Toronto Area indicate that they believe the provincial government of Mike Harris and the PCs has Ontario on the right track.

Just over one-third (35%) feel that the Progressive Conservative government under Mike Harris has Ontario on the wrong track, and nine percent are undecided.

Males (66% versus 48% of females), those aged 35 and older and the most affluent (those with annual household incomes of $60,000 or more) are most likely to believe the provincial PC government is on the right track.

Females (43% versus 26% of males), those aged 18 to 34 and the least affluent (those with annual household incomes of less than $30,000) are most likely to feel that the Harris Government is on the wrong track.

This poll is one of two conducted on this topic. Please link to our second press release which examines police involvement, protest rights, impact on policy, participation, and motivation.

This poll was conducted by telephone between October 18th and 20th 1996, among a representative cross-section of 400 randomly selected adults residing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's age/sex composition reflects that of the actual GTA population according to the 1991 Census data. With the GTA-wide sample of 400, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are within ±5.0 percentage points of what they would have been had the entire GTA adult population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within the various sub-groupings of the survey population.

Questions Asked

Thinking of how you feel right now, which party's candidate would you be most likely to support if a provincial election were held tomorrow? (READ LIST AND RANDOMIZE)

• The Liberal Party under Lyn McLeod
• The Progressive Conservative Party under Mike Harris
• The New Democratic Party under Howard Hampton
• Other (VOLUNTEERED)
• Undecided (VOLUNTEERED)

(ASK ONLY IF 'UNDECIDED') Now, you may not know who you would vote for today, but are you leaning towards voting for the candidate in your riding from one of the following parties...(READ AND RANDOMIZE)

• The Liberal Party
• The Progressive Conservative Party
• The New Democratic Party
• Other (VOLUNTEERED)
• Undecided (VOLUNTEERED)

Overall, would you say that the provincial government of Mike Harris and the PCs has Ontario on the right track or the wrong track?

• Right track
• Wrong track

As you may have heard, a coalition of labour unions and social activist groups have designated October 25th and 26th as "Metro Days of Action" against the provincial government. These groups believe that the Harris Government's spending cuts and policies are harmful to the province, and they are asking people who agree with their position to join in protest.

As part of their "Metro Days of Action" protest, these groups have publically indicated that they intend to close down the city by holding protest rallies and parades throughout Metro, prevent access to hundreds of jobsites and public buildings across the city, shut down many public services including garbage collection, disrupt public transportation including access to the TTC and, as one union organizer put it, "Make sure this city comes to a grinding halt".

Do you support or oppose the efforts of the coalition groups and unions taking this action?

• Support
• Oppose

And how will your opinion of the labour unions and social justice groups sponsoring these "Metro Days of Action" be effected? Would you say that your opinion of these groups is likely to improve, worsen or stay the same?

• Improve
• Stay the same
• Worsen

What effect would you say these "Metro Days of Action" protests will have on your opinion of the provincial government? Would you say that your opinion of the provincial government is likely to improve, worsen or stay the same?

• Improve
• Worsen
• Stay the same

Thinking about the plans these groups have for their "Metro Days of Action" in shutting down the city and about the spending cuts and policies of the provincial government, would you say that you are (ROTATE):

• More inclined to support the provincial government? OR
• More inclined to support the protesters?
• Neither (VOLUNTEERED)

For further information, contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice-President
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900