Two in Three (69%) Torontonians `Agree' that Billy Bishop City
Airport is an `Economic Engine of the City'

Toronto, ON - Two thirds (69%) of Toronto residents `agree' (23% strongly/46% somewhat) that Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) is an `economic engine of the city', according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Toronto Port Authority (TPA). This compares with three in ten (28%) who `disagree' (8% strongly/21% somewhat), and 3% who don't know.

Further, eight in ten (83%) Toronto residents `agree' that Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) `is great for the economy of Toronto' - including 85% of those living downtown south of Queen Street, Just one in ten (14%), overall, `disagree' (3% strongly/11% somewhat), while 2% don't know.

Moreover, Eight in ten (81%) residents of Toronto `agree' (45% strongly/36% somewhat) that `Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an important part of Toronto's future economic growth', while two in ten (17%) `disagree' (6% strongly/11% somewhat) and 2% don't know. In fact, most (87%) `agree' (52% strongly/36% somewhat) that the BBTCA is `a valuable asset for the city', while just 11% `disagree' (4% strongly/7% somewhat), and 2% don't know.

The survey reveals that nearly three in ten (28%) Torontonians have used BBTCA, including nearly half of all downtown residents living north (50%) or south (45%) of Queen Street.

Being a hub for residents and tourists alike, eight in ten (84%) Torontonians `agree' (44% strongly/39% somewhat) that the airport `is a great gateway for the city and tourists', while 15% `disagree' (4% strongly/11% somewhat) and 1% don't know. Furthermore, most (83%) `agree' (45% strongly/38% somewhat) that the airport `makes a great first impression for visitors who use it to travel to Toronto'. Conversely, one in ten (14%) `disagree' (4% strongly/10% somewhat), and 3% don't know.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by the Toronto Port Authority, which is involved in a variety of activities along the harbourfront, including removing pollution and contaminated garbage from the Don River and the inner harbour, regulating the movement of ships in the harbour, creating a wetland to protect wildlife habitats, conducting dredging to prevent flooding, long-term investments in improving environmental sustainability, sponsoring festivals, exhibits and at-risk youth, and working with the city and all levels of government to build the tunnel that connects Toronto island with the mainland.

Reflecting on these activities, nine in ten (89%) Torontonians `agree' (38% strongly/52% somewhat) that `the Toronto Port Authority provides important economic benefits to the City of Toronto', while one in ten (8%) `disagree' and 2% don't know. Thinking about these activities in which the TPA is involved, three-quarters (77%) of Toronto residents `agree' (25% strongly/52% somewhat) that the TPA `is a forward-thinking organization', while two in ten (17%) `disagree' (7% strongly/10% somewhat), and 6% don't know.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Toronto Port Authority from July 24 to August 5, 2012. For the survey, a representative randomly-selected sample of 700 adults living in Toronto was interviewed by telephone, including a sample of 300 Torontonians living downtown south of Queen Street. Ipsos employed weighting to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflected that of the adult population according to Census data. A survey with an unwieghted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of sample of 177 3.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult population of Toronto been polled. The margin of error would be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to, methodology change, coverage error and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.324.2002
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,363 billion (1.897 billion USD) in 2011.

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