Pulse Of Toronto: Part 1

Toronto, ON - Torontonians are reeling from the recent rash of gun crime and violence in the City of Toronto and exhibit feelings of being `under siege' when it comes to their community. This according to a survey of Torontonians conducted by Ipsos Reid for the National Post, Global News and CFRB.

By far and away violence and gun crime is identified by the largest percentage of Torontonians (55%, + 40 points from a survey conducted in 2003) as the most important issue facing their city -- more than doubling the percentage who mention the next most commonly cited issue, "garbage" (23%, +18 points). Since the survey in 2003 to today, the proportion of Torontonians that say they feel safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark has plunged from 78% to 64% (-14 points).

Further, nine in ten (87%) agree that "Toronto is becoming more violent compared to five years ago" (61% strongly agree) - up 21 points from a survey conducted in the year 2000 when agreement with this statement sat at 66%.

So, what do Torontonians believe is driving this seeming escalation of violence in their city? The answer from very strong majorities is that both "gangs" (89%) and "drugs and drug trafficking" (86%) are major factors in causing gun violence in Toronto, a further 63% point to the "glamorization of gang culture" as a major factor.

In response to gun violence, most Torontonians (64%) believe that the priority shouldn't be on introducing programs in the communities where young people live and get involved in gangs or guns but rather the priority should be to increase the police presence in these communities and ensure tough sentencing for crimes. Thirty-nine percent are of the opposite opinion and believe priority should be placed on providing social programs like social assistance, good housing, opportunities and quality education in the gang and crime-ridden communities.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted for the National Post, Global News and CFRB fielded from October 6th to October 12th 2005. For the survey, a representative sample of 500 residents of the City of Toronto was interviewed via an on-line survey vehicle. The sample used in this study has been weighted according to 2001 Census data to accurately reflect the general population of the City of Toronto (see chart below). With a sample of this size, the aggregate results are considered accurate to within 1774.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of Toronto been polled. The margin of error will be larger within each sub-grouping of the survey population.

Violence/Crime/Guns (55%) Tops The List As The Most Important Issue Facing Toronto...

Torontonians were asked an open-ended question as to what they feel are the most important issues facing the City of Toronto today. By far and away "violence/crime/guns" is identified by the largest percentage (55%, +40 points from a 2003 survey) as the most important issue facing the city - more than doubling the percentage who mention the next most commonly cited issue, "garbage" (23%, +18 points). Following behind these issues are "homelessness/poverty" (21%), "environmental issues/pollution" (16%), "high taxes" (15%), and "infrastructure" (14%).

The Feeling Of Being Safe While Alone In Your Neighbourhood After Dark Plunges Over Two Years - From 78% In 2003 To 64% Now...

Six in ten (64%) say that they either feel "very safe" (20%) or "somewhat safe" (44%) walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark. Thirty-six percent say they feel "unsafe" in this situation (14% "very unsafe").

The percentage of Torontonians who say they feel safe in this situation is down 14 points from 2003, when 78% said they would feel safe.

• Women are significantly more likely than men to feel unsafe in their neighbourhood after dark (46% vs. 25%).

Nine In Ten (87%) Agree Toronto Is Becoming More Violent Compared To Five Years Ago - Up 21 Points From 2000 (66% Agreed At This Time)...

Nine in ten (87%) agree with the statement that "Toronto is becoming more violent compared to five years ago" (61% strongly agree). This is up 21 points from the year 2000 when 66% of Torontonians agreed with this statement.

Thirteen percent disagree with this statement.

Torontonians List Gangs And Drugs As Top Factors In Causing Gun Violence In Toronto...

As part of the survey respondents were asked to consider a number of different community conditions that different community, academic, and political groups point to as things they believe are responsible for causing the apparent recent rash of gun violence in Toronto. For each community condition they were asked whether they thought it was a major factor, a minor factor, not really a factor, or not a factor at all in causing gun violence in Toronto.

A full listing of conditions asked about and respondents answers are shown below:

• Overall, women are more likely than men to believe that each of these factors is a "major factor" in causing gun violence in Toronto.
• Older Torontonians aged 55 and over are significantly more likely than their younger counterparts to believe that the "glamorization of gang culture through popular media" is a major factor in causing gun violence in Toronto (76% vs. 58%).

To Curb Gun Violence Torontonians Believe Focus Should Be On More Police, Not More Social Programs...

Thinking about guns and gun violence in Toronto, 64% of respondents say that they are of the opinion that the priority shouldn't be on introducing programs in the communities where young people live and get involved with gangs or guns but rather the priority should be to increase the police presence in these communities and ensure tough sentencing for crimes. Of a different opinion, however, are the 39% who believe the priority when dealing with young adults that are involved with gangs and gun violence is to introduce programs that treat the issue early on by providing social assistance, good housing, opportunities, and quality education in their communities.

• Younger Torontonians aged 18-34 are significantly more likely than their older counterparts to believe that priority should be put on introducing social programs (54% vs. 34% among those age 35 and over).

For more information on this news release, please contact:
John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid Corporation
416.324.2900
[email protected]

Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader and the country's leading provider of public opinion research. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos-Reid employs more than 300 researcher professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in Canada, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and on-line panels. Ipsos Reid's Canadian marketing research and public affairs practices are staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, offering the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada--including the Ipsos Trend Report, the leading source of public opinion in the country--all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

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