THUNDER BAY – Residents will have the better part of April to voice their opinions on how the City of Thunder Bay operates.
City manager Norm Gale said the bi-annual citizen satisfaction survey launched on Tuesday. For the first two weeks, a scientifically sound telephone polling survey will take place, including both landlines and cell phones.
Then, beginning on April 15, an online survey will be opened to the general public, value-added information that will also be used to help gauge taxpayers’ overall satisfaction with the city and its mechanisms.
“We reach out to a wide variety, but statistically valid sample of citizens, asking them their opinion about the services that we deliver, the programs we provide and the challenges facing the City of Thunder Bay and the people that live here,” Gale said.
“What’s important to them and on a relative basis.”
Gale said the survey is important to help city council make decisions moving forward with informed opinions to back those decisions up.
“As the deciders, city council is interested and keen to hear the opinions of the people who live here. This is a terrific tool for them to receive that input.”
The survey will poll 500 randomly selected residents over the age of 18 and generates results that are accurate plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
To keep the phone survey valid, the exact questions being asked will not be revealed until after polling ends.
An Ipsos spokeswoman said the survey shouldn’t be too intrusive, adding it’s a topic most have opinions about.
“Our experience shows that citizens who are highly engaged with municipal affairs can be disappointed in not being selected to participate in a citizen satisfaction survey,” said Diana MacDonald, in a release issued by the city.
“The online option will allow for an additional source of input for the City to consider and will certainly meet the objective of active engagement for residents.”
More details will be provided by the city when the online portion of the survey opens in mid-April.
