Mayor Keith Hobbs thinks this year’s citizens satisfaction survey shows council is moving in the right direction.
Around 92 per cent of people say the quality of life in Thunder Bay is either good or very good. That’s up from 87 per cent two years ago. While it’s normal with these types of surveys to show around 95 per cent, something that concerned Coun. Trevor Giertuga, Ipsos Reid’s Heather Alinsangan said it’s still a high number.
“We’re basically seeing a strong momentum upward,” she told council.
The Ipsos Reid poll gathered 500 respondents from random households across the city. It was done using landlines, which led some councillors to question how much of the city was being reached as 74 per cent of people were over the age of 35. But Alinsangan said landlines were used to be consistent with how past surveys in Thunder Bay were conducted.
77 per cent of those surveyed said they were Caucasian, compared to 91 per cent in 2011. An overwhelming majority said that racism and discrimination was a big issue in the city, something that shows city council is on the right track by addressing those issues Hobbs said.
“I know it’s not a good thing that there’s racism but 82 per cent are saying that it’s an issue and we’ve been addressing it,” he said.
Around 95 per cent of people agreed or strongly agreed that infrastructure renewal should be at the top for the city’s existing projects. With around $32 million being spent this year, Hobbs said council is also addressing that gap.
As for new or proposed projects, a new youth centre topped the list at 76 per cent. Library renewal also had 76 per cent. A new events centre was second last with 61 per cent either agreeing or strongly agreeing, something that surprised Hobbs.
“I would have liked to see that number higher,” he said.
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery moving to the waterfront bottomed out the list at 54 per cent. City council unanimously approved in principle to the move Monday night.
