EDMONTON

2017
Methodology
Mainstreet surveyed a stratied random sample of
800 Edmontonians from October 10-11, 2017
through Chimera IVR. Respondents were screened
to conrm voting eligibility. Landline and Cell lines
were included. Responses were weighted using
demographic information to targets based on the
2016 Census.
The margin of error for survey results is 3.46
percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
.
About Mainstreet
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 Research was
the only polling rm to correctly predict a Liberal
majority government in the 2015 federal election.
Contact Information
In Ottawa: Quito Maggi, President
quito@mainstreetresearch.ca
In Montreal: David Valentin, Executive Vice
President. david@mainstreetresearch.ca
In Toronto: Dr. Joseph Angolano, Vice President
joseph@mainstreetresearch.ca
Find us online at:
www.mainstreetresearch.ca
twitter.com/MainStResearch
facebook.com/mainstreetresearch
EDMONTONIANS SUPPORT SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING - BUT LESS SO IN THEIR OWN
BACKYARD

October 14, 2017 (Ottawa, ON) A new Mainstreet/Postmedia produced for the Edmonton Journal &
Edmonton Sun 48% of Edmontonians support more social and aordable housing spread throughout the
city with only 29% opposed - but opposition jumps to 38% when respondents were asked about this
housing going into their own backyard. The Mainstreet/Postmedia poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.62
percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

There is a signicant NIMBY sentiment when it comes to social and aordable housing, said David
Valentin, Executive Vice-President of Mainstreet Research. Only 29% of Edmontonians oppose more
aordable and social housing but that number jumps to 38% when we asked about their own
neighbourhood. I would expect if we were polling specic projects we would see higher opposition than
these numbers in the immediate vicinity.

Many experts will tell you that stigmatizing social and aordable housing is a problem - when you cant
spread the housing around and its all in the downtown it can cause signicant issues and unintended
consequences. On the other hand, its tough to stare down opposition from neighbourhood groups to these
projects if youre the local councillor. People perceive these developments lower property values and can
increase crime even when that may not be the case.

We polled Edmontonians and found wide support for building a riverwalk similar to the Seawall in
Vancouver. There are strong numbers for the project in every age and gender category.

Where were seeing a signicant split in opinion is when we polled light rail transit against bus rapid transit.
Younger respondents are more likely to support an LRT while older respondents are more likely to support
BRTs. Of course, younger Edmontonians are more likely to use public transit so this shouldnt come as a
surprise. Older respondents likely know or realize LRTs cost more money and perhaps are thinking about
what that might mean in a property tax increase.

Lastly we asked about redevelopment plans in Rossdale. Edmontonians want to see a public-private
partnership fund the project but arent sold on what the redevelopment should be. There are signicant
splits on age and many (23%) want something dierent than a Granville style shopping area (24%) or
swimming pool (15%), nished Maggi.
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

David Valentin, Executive Vice-President, (514) 913-5524 - david@mainstreetresearch.ca