APRIL SNAPSHOT

EMBARGOED UNTIL: 5 AM MST, APRIL 4, 2016

PRINT EXCLUSIVE: POSTMEDIA NETWORK
Mainstreet surveyed a random sample of 1,011 Edmonton residents by Smart IVR on March 31st, 2016. A mixture of landlines and
cell phones were surveyed. Margin of error: +/- 3.08%, 19 times out of 20. Results were weighed by age and gender based on the
2011 Canadian Census.

B2

"Exclusive Mainstreet/Postmedia polls are protected

by copyright. The information and/or data may only
be rebroadcast or republished with full and proper
credit and attribution to Mainstreet/Postmedia.

DEVELOPERS CAN PAY FOR FUNDING SHORTFALL, EDMONTONIANS SAY

April 4, 2016 (Ottawa, ON) A new Mainstreet/Postmedia poll nds 38% of Edmontonians favour making
developers pay for a potential $1.4 billion shortfall - though there are likely limits to how much money the
city could raise from developers. The Mainstreet/Postmedia Poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.08%, 19 times
out of 20.
Developers are an easy target, especially during the current economic climate, said David Valentin,
Executive Vice-President of Mainstreet Research. Increased taxes on Businesses comes in second with 18%,
while increased taxes on homeowners is third with 17%. Another 12% would support new revenue tools, such
as road tolls.
The City is split on pace of developments in mature neighbourhoods while 32% believe the city is moving
at the right pace, 31% believe it is moving too fast - a tie within the margin of error. 26% are not sure about
the matter while only 11% believe development is moving too slowly.
We asked if mature communities should be consulted on development or if they should even have a veto.
While there was wide support for consultation theres no clear consensus on support for a veto.
39% of Edmontonians arent sure if they support or oppose a veto while 81% support consultation for
mature communities. While 32% support a veto, 29% oppose it - also within the margin of error. What a
potential veto would look like - and how it would be used and against which developments, is likely a reason
for the high level of uncertainty around the concept, nished Valentin.
About Mainstreet Research
Mainstreet is a national public research rm. With 20 years of political experience at all three levels of
government, President and CEO Quito Maggi is a respected commentator on Canadian public aairs.
Dierentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet Research has provided accurate snapshots of public
opinion, having predicted a majority NDP government in Alberta, a majority Liberal government in British
Columbia and a majority Liberal government in Ontario. Mainstreet has been the most accurate polling rm
in several by elections and the most recent Toronto mayoral election. Most recently, Mainstreet was the only
polling rm to correctly predict a Liberal majority government in the 2015 federal election.
-30Available for phone interview: David Valentin, (514) 913-5524 -david@mainstreetresearch.ca

B3

The city of Edmonton is looking at how to pay the

cost of growth in 3 communities. Mayor Don Iveson
says there's a potential $1.4 billion shortfall. How do
you think the city should pay for this shortfall?

Developers

Homeowners

Businesses

New Sources

Not Sure

City

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

Developers

38%

36%

38%

38%

43%

41%

35%

Homeowners

17%

18%

17%

17%

15%

20%

14%

Businesses

18%

15%

18%

21%

20%

15%

21%

New Sources

12%

13%

13%

10%

10%

13%

11%

Not Sure

15%

18%

14%

13%

13%

11%

19%

B4

The city and council are pushing to increase the

percentage of new development and density within
mature neighbourhoods. Are you concerned council
and the city are moving too fast?

Too Fast

Too Slow

Right Pace

Not Sure

City

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

Too Fast

31%

30%

32%

29%

34%

32%

30%

Too Slow

11%

11%

11%

11%

11%

11%

11%

Right Pace

32%

33%

30%

33%

31%

33%

30%

Not Sure

26%

26%

26%

27%

24%

24%

28%

B5

Should mature communities have a say in what types

of new development are built?

Yes

No

Not Sure

City

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

Yes

81%

80%

80%

82%

84%

82%

80%

No

9%

8%

8%

10%

9%

7%

11%

Not Sure

10%

11%

12%

8%

8%

11%

9%

B6

Should mature communities have a veto over what

types of new development are built?

Yes

No

Not Sure

City

18-34

35-49

50-64

65+

Male

Female

Yes

32%

24%

34%

35%

44%

32%

33%

No

29%

32%

27%

29%

25%

30%

28%

Not Sure

39%

44%

39%

36%

31%

39%

39%

B7

SCRIPT

The city of Edmonton is looking at how to pay for the cost of growth in three communities.
Mayor Don Iveson says there's a potential $1.4 billion shortfall.
How do you think the city should pay for this shortfall?
Have developers cover the cost
Increase property taxes for homeowners
Increase property taxes for businesses
New funding sources, such as road tolls
Not sure
The city and council are pushing to increase the percentage of new development and density within
mature neighbourhoods. In your opinion are they moving too fast, too slow or at the right pace?
Too Fast
Too Slow
Right Pace
Not Sure
Should mature communities have a say in what types of new development are built?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Should mature communities have a veto in what types of new development are built?
Yes
No
Not Sure

ONLY WE
CALLED
THE
LIBERAL
MAJORITY.

I recommend "Raiders of the Lost Campaign Arc," released Oct. 18, because its an interview
with a pollster that everyone who follows politics should hear. Quito Maggi, of Mainstreet Public
Research, was the only pollster I saw call the Liberal majority with such condence, a week
before we voted.
Maggi also has the distinction of being the guy who predicted the BC Liberals would win in 2013,
in deance of the majority of the polls.
His technique involves picking a true bellwether riding and polling it thoroughly. His explanation
for how he does it is well worth a listen and should be required research for anyone running a
political campaign. - Shannon Rupp, The Tyee, November 4th, 2015
Mainstreet Research | 1322255B Queen Street East
| Toronto | Ontario | M4E 1G3 | Canada

Mainstreet is a national public research rm. With 20 years of political experience at all three
levels of government, President and CEO Quito Maggi is a respected commentator on Canadian
public aairs.
Dierentiated by its large sample sizes, Mainstreet Research has provided accurate snapshots of
public opinion, having predicted a majority NDP government in Alberta, a majority Liberal
government in British Columbia and a majority Liberal government in Ontario. Mainstreet has
been the most accurate polling rm in several by elections and the most recent Toronto mayoral
election. Most recently, Mainstreet was the only polling rm to correctly predict a Liberal majority
government in the 2015 federal election.

CONNECT WITH US:

WEBSITE
mainstreetresearch.ca

TWITTER
@MainStResearch

FACEBOOK
fb.com/mainstresearch

2016 Mainstreet Research. All rights reserved