Chow Approval Steady; Crosstown to open in 2026, Say 31% of Torontonians

April 22, 2024 (Toronto, ON) – A new Liaison Strategies poll for the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) shows Mayor Olivia Chow's approval rating stabilizing at 52%.

Conducted from April 15-16, 2024, using interactive voice response technology, the poll surveyed 861 Toronto residents. The margin of error for the poll is +/- 3.34%, 19 times out of 20. Liaison is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC).

"Olivia Chow's net approval (approval minus disapproval) is at +13 this month, the same as last month . While her approval is down from 53% to 52%, her disapproval has also ticked down one point," said David Valentin, principal at Liaison Strategies.

"So, for now, it would appear that her numbers have stabilized. That being said, there is the potential for service interruptions at the TTC, and in recent weeks we have seen the city administration struggling with the implementation of the vacancy tax. Challenges remain and being mayor of Toronto is no walk in the park."

"Chow continues to do best in downtown Toronto and fares worst in Etobicoke where her approvals have been underwater for months. She does well in North York while it is effectively 50-50 this month in Scarborough."

"While Chow's numbers are lower than what we saw during her honeymoon they are head and shoulders above the approval rating in Toronto for transit agency Metrolinx."

"60% of Torontonians disapprove of the work Metrolinx is doing with a net approval of -43 for the transit agency. The agency has higher approvals in Scarborough and Etobicoke (24% and 22) than in downtown or North York (15% and 12%, respectively)."

"There has been delay after delay after delay for the Eglinton Crosstown project which is years behind schedule. It has gotten to the point that Metrolinx will not give an opening date for the new transit line. So, we decided to ask Torontonians when they think the line will open."

Based on what you have seen, read or heard about the Eglinton Crosstown, when do you expect the line to open and be in service?
2024 - 7%
2025 - 18%
2026 - 31%
2027 - 15%
2028 - 5%
Not Sure - 16%
Not Familiar with the Eglinton Crosstown - 8%

"Most Torontonians do not expect the line to open this year - only 7% think the line will open in 2024."

"A plurality, 31%, believe the line will open in 2026, while 18% say it will be 2025. Only a few, 8%, say they are not familiar with the Eglinton Crosstown at all."

The crosstown was originally scheduled to open in 2020.

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Read the full report: