How do mayoral candidates rank against Toronto’s top issues?

TORONTO  – Former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker apparently said “dogs know best what to do with polls.”

But Dief would be wrong when it comes to the latest Ipsos Reid polling done for Global News. The poll surveyed 1,252 people online and shines a light on how you view Toronto’s leading mayoral candidates against the back drop of the top five issues in the city.

On the matter of leadership, we asked: Which candidate would do the best job in the following areas?

Transit

John Tory has the clear lead here with more than half (53 per cent) saying he’d do the best job on the transit file. It’s worth noting that “Traffic” is the number one aggravation among 416ers, according to the Ipsos Reid polls.

More than a third of the 1,252 people surveyed for the poll, (36.5 per cent) say traffic is the number one thing they hate about living in Toronto.

That number spikes to nearly one in two when you ask the respondents who identified “Transit” as their number one issue.

Infrastructure

It’s another issue Tory owns with nearly 6 in 10 (57 per cent) saying he’s the best candidate to stickhandle the infrastructure file.

According to the Ipsos Reid poll, infrastructure issues are closely related to traffic concerns. Not surprising when you consider this covers everything from Gardiner repairs, to construction interruptions, to filling pot holes.

But the biggest obstacle on this file is “politics”. A staggering 88 per cent of those asked are convinced politics gets in the way of getting things done on the infrastructure file.

City taxes are too high

Can you hear the Gravy Train coming? It’s clear the Ford agenda’s continues to resonate with the electorate. Doug Ford is viewed as the best candidate to tackle taxes and 6 in 10 Torontonians do not think City Hall spends their money wisely.

Now, it’s not clear whether that’s an indictment of the Ford agenda, (shouldn’t that number be lower if the Ford administration had been successful?), or if it’s merely encouraging more of the same in the coming mandate.

Economy

It’s tough to say how a mayor can affect the economy considering the limited power and influence of one vote on council. So, these numbers somewhat reflect that ambivalence. It’s pretty much a wash between Doug Ford (39 per cent) and John Tory (38 per cent) on who would do the best job on the economy.

Even at that, 1 in 4 (23 per cent) think Olivia Chow could steer the economy well.

This three way split may also reflect general attitudes about the economy. Nearly 6 in 10 (58 per cent) tell Ipsos Reid they feel financially secure and two-thirds (66 per cent) think the economy is strong.

Rent Control/Housing Supply

Olivia Chow’s message has made it clear she want to be mayor of a city “where everyone counts, no matter their income, background or neighbourhood.”

Chow is viewed as the candidate who can best manage the rent and housing issues in Toronto.

It may not rank as highly as “Transit” of “Infrastructure” but every voter either rents or owns a home and 8 in 10 of those surveyed don’t think they can buy or rent at a reasonable price in Toronto.

More than a third (34.7 per cent) say the “cost of living” is the thing they hate most about living in Toronto.

And no matter age, income or neighbourhood, just over half of Torontonians live pay cheque to pay cheque.

So, no one candidate is a clear winner on the top five issues in Toronto. The ownership is spread around.

While the horse race polls may not be clear on who will win the October 27 election, it is clear that Toronto’s next mayor is going to have to win all of these issues.