TORONTO RESIDENTS SAY MAYOR HAS CITY ON RIGHT TRACK

EIGHT IN TEN (79%) TORONTO RESIDENTS SAY MAYOR HAS CITY ON RIGHT TRACK - UP 8 POINTS SINCE SEPTEMBER '98

KEY AREAS OF LASTMAN'S PERFORMANCE APPROVAL INCLUDE "ENSURING STRONG SUPPORT FOR CULTURE AND RECREATION" (85%), "MAKING TORONTO A WORLD CLASS CITY" (82%) AND "ATTRACTING BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT TO THE NEW TORONTO (79%)

MAYOR'S APPROVAL RATING MAINTAINED (80%) - UP FROM 74% IN SEPTEMBER 1998 - DESPITE RECENT GAFFS IN PUBLIC ARENA

This Angus Reid Group poll was conducted by telephone between June 18th and June 27th, 1999 among a representative cross-section of 637 adult residents of Toronto.

These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Toronto (416 area code) population according to 1996 Census data.

With a sample of 637 one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are accurate to within +3.8 percentage points of what they would have been had the entire population of Toronto been polled. The margin of error will be larger for sub-groups of the survey population.

In a recent poll conducted by the Angus Reid Group, eight in 10 (79%) Toronto residents say that the Toronto Municipal Council, under the leadership of Mayor Mel Lastman, has the city on the right track - up eight points since September 1998. Key areas of approval of Lastman's performance include his support of culture and recreation (85%), making Toronto a world class city (82%) and attracting business to the city (79%). And, finally, overall approval of the Mayor's performance is high at 80% (up from 74% in September 1998) despite recent gaffs in the public arena.

The following CFRB/Angus Reid Group poll was conducted by telephone from June 18th to June 27th, 1999 among a representative cross-section of 637 adult residents of Toronto. With a sample of 637 one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are accurate to within +3.8 percentage points of what they would have been had the entire population of Toronto been polled.

Eight in ten (79%) TO Residents say Mayor has City on Right Track

• Eight in ten (79%) Toronto residents say that the Toronto Municipal Council, under the leadership of Mayor Mel Lastman, is on the right track in terms of where it's taking the City of Toronto. This is an increase of eight points since September 1998.
• These sentiments are strongest among younger residents (18-34 years, 86%), and lower income individuals (Under $30K, 85%).
• Residents of East York (68%) are least likely to say the Toronto City Council is on the right track.

Key Areas of Approval Include:

Toronto residents highly approve of the Mayor's efforts in a number of key municipal issues. The public is most impressed with Mayor Lastman "ensuring strong support for culture and recreation in Toronto" (85%) and "making Toronto a world class city" (82%). Seventy-nine percent of Toronto residents approve of the Mayor's efforts to "attract business and investment to the new Toronto", "maintain the quality of municipal services such as garbage", "fight crime and ensure the new Toronto is safe", "work with local politicians and bureaucrats to get the new Toronto running smoothly", and to "represent all of the new City of Toronto" (Scarborough, York, North York, East York, (old) Toronto and Etobicoke). Mayor Lastman also receives praise for his "strong leadership on tough issues" (77%) and in "providing honest and trustworthy government" (76%). Street maintenance (74%) and "holding the line on municipal property taxes" (71%) also receive high approval ratings with Toronto residents. The Mayor's approval rating with respect to "protecting and enhancing social services" is 68 percent.

Mayor's Overall Approval Rating High (80%) - up From 74% in September 1998

Mayor Lastman's popularity continues to flourish, with a full 80 percent of Torontonians approving of his overall performance as Mayor. Over one-third (36%) indicate that they strongly approve of Mayor Lastman's performance, while a further 44 percent moderately approve. The Mayor's overall approval rating has increased six points since September 1998 when it was 74%.

For further information contact:

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

The Angus Reid Group is Canada's largest and most well known Canadian research company. Established in 1979 by Dr. Angus Reid, the company serves 1200 clients via its six offices in Canada, four offices in the United States and its European office in London, England. With a compliment of 250 full time qualitative and quantitative researchers, the company has annual revenues of $65 Million and is growing at an average rate of 30 percent per year. The employee owned company also operates its own field service entity, Direct Reid, utilizing 450 CATI telephone interviewing stations for north American calling and a 50,000 household consumer panel in Canada.