Tri-City mayors have high approval ratings as they head into next month's civic election, according to a new poll by a Lower Mainland market research and polling firm.
Yesterday, Insights West released the results of an online survey that shows Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore with a 78% approval rating from his constituents. By comparison, Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay is at 72% while Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart scored 63%.
The poll, which gauged the views of 2,138 Metro Vancouver residents between Sept. 24 and Oct. 5, and comes out less than a month before the Nov. 15 civic elections across B.C., also indicates high levels of satisfaction with the Tri-Cities' three civic governments (the Tri-Cities tied for the top spot in voter satisfaction with Burnaby).
The overall rating for city halls was based on how municipal staff dealt with topics like environment protection, safety, provision of good sanitation services, park and recreation access and finances.
In Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby, housing is currently the biggest concern for residents while crime is top-of-mind in Surrey.
But transportation is the lead issue in the Tri-Cities as well as on the North Shore and in Delta, New Westminster, White Rock, Langley City and Langley Township.
Abbotsford residents indicated housing and poverty dominate their agenda while, in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, economic development is the number one worry.
Mario Canseco, vice-president of public affairs for Insights West, told The Tri-City News the survey results are an "eye opener" as it shows the different issues facing each Metro municipality.
For example, poverty is the lowest concern for Tri-City residents but it is the biggest topic in Abbotsford.
"That may be because of the way the local government has dealt with the issue of homelessness such as the manure on the camps," Canseco told The News.
He suggested homelessness may not be a challenge in the Tri-Cities as "those governments have had the most successful time talking about it with their constituents and are addressing the issue."
Still, the poll shows 42% of Tri-City residents would like to see a "minor change" with their respective city councils.
@jwarrenTC
