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HAMILTON MOUNTAIN: COPE POLL FINDINGS
In April, 2003, Citizens Opposed to Paving the Escarpment – COPE commissioned a public opinion poll to investigate the responses and opinions of those in the eleven provincial ridings that would be potentially affected by the construction of the Mid-Peninsula Highway.
The MTO needs to be aware that its ultimate customer and ultimate supervisor is the Ontario citizen. The will of special-interest groups, land speculators, and other highway proponents should not be allowed to override the will of the people, nor should it override sensible environmental and economic stewardship of the province.
Results specific to the riding of Hamilton Mountain are shown below.
How important is it to you that the Niagara Escarpment be protected?
RESPONSE %
Not at all important 3.7
Not important 8.3
Total: 12 %Important 38.5
Very important 46.8
Total: 85.3 %Don’t know 2.8
Before proceeding with the construction of the MPH, there should be a full EA including examination of alternatives and determining if there is a need for the highway.
RESPONSE %
Strongly disagree 5.5
Disagree 5.5
Total: 11.0 %Agree 34.9
Strongly agree 47.7
Total: 82.6 %Don’t know 6.4
I feel that other types of transportation such as rail for passengers and freight as well as other methods of public transit should be improved first before new highways like the MPH are built.
RESPONSE %
Strongly disagree 4.6
Disagree 22.9
Total: 27.5 %Agree 34.9
Strongly agree 33.0
Total: 67.9 %Don’t know 4.6
How would having the MPH as a toll road affect the likelihood of you using it?
RESPONSE %
Much less likely 31.2
Less likely 32.1
Total: 63.3 %
No impact 29.4
Total: 29.4 %More likely 2.8
Much more likely 1.8
Total: 4.6 %Don’t know 2.8
Spending more than $1.2 billion to build the Mid-Peninsula Highway, which is likely to be another toll road, is a responsible use of taxpayer’s money.
RESPONSE %
Strongly disagree 33.0
Disagree 31.2
Total: 64.2 %Agree 19.3
Strongly agree 5.5
Total: 24.8 %Don’t know 11.0
POLITICAL ASPECTS:
The poll also questioned voter intent by party
Riding: Liberal /PC /NDP /Other
Hamilton Mountain 52.4%/ 28.6% /15.9% /3.2%
SUMMARY
It is readily apparent from the numbers above that the citizens and voters in Hamilton Mountain want to see the Niagara Escarpment protected; they want to see a full EA, should the highway proceed; and they feel other means of transportation should be improved before new highways are built.
From an economic perspective, they don’t think the highway is a responsible use of tax dollars, and more than 6 in 10 would be less likely to use the Mid-Pen if it is tolled, as appears likely.
From a political perspective, the Liberal party holds a 24-point lead over the Tories.
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2002 - 2009 COPE
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COPE website was updated January 21, 2010
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