Business in Vancouver July 22-28, 2008; issue 978

Social issues top concerns for Vancouver businesses

Survey finds affordable housing and homelessness vying with crime and infrastructure as the most critical problems that must be addressed by the next mayor

Andrew Petrozzi

Vancouver business leaders are more concerned about the social issues plaguing the city than matters affecting business directly, according to the latest BIV-Ipsos Reid survey.

In response to the question, “Which of the following is the most important issue in the upcoming ... election?” respondents identified crime and justice (14%) and infrastructure (12%). Affordable housing (10%) and poverty/welfare/homelessness (12%) were also atop their agenda.

“People’s concerns in the City of Vancouver are different than in other municipalities and are very distinct,” said Steve Mossop, president, western region, North America, for Ipsos. “The election platform will be quite different than in other areas.”

Other important issues in the upcoming mayoral election identified by survey panellists included:

•transportation/public transportation (62%);

•infrastructure (45%);

•poverty/welfare/homelessness (42%);

•crime and justice (41%);

•affordable housing (41%); and

•drugs/substance abuse (41%).

The environment (38%) and taxes (37%) were also top of mind.

“What we typically see in municipalities are very high levels of interest in infrastructure, taxes, transportation issues and crime,” said Mossop. “What is different here is there is a lot of emphasis on the social issues. When you add affordable housing together with poverty, welfare and homelessness, it becomes the No. 1 issue by far in the election race.”

Only 51% of respondents supported shifting the municipal property tax burden from businesses to residents. The city is shifting that tax 1% annually for the next five years from commercial to residential properties until businesses pay 48% of municipal property taxes and residents pay 52%.

Only 24% opposed the tax shift.

“Considering this audience is the audience that benefits, you would think it’s a universal,” said Mossop. “But it’s not a slam dunk.”

Just 28% of respondents said Sam Sullivan had done a good job as mayor. Only 8% of respondents said that if they were Non-Partisan Association (NPA) members they would have supported Sullivan. Peter Ladner received 76% of respondents’ support for his bid for the NPA mayoral nomination.

“People are saying they prefer Ladner, but they’re saying it’s a good thing no matter what happens,” said Mossop. “That may play to [Gregor] Robertson’s advantage if he could capitalize on that.”

If respondents were Vision Vancouver members, 34% said they would have supported Robertson, compared with 14% for Raymond Louie and 6% for Allan De Genova.

Almost half (46%) said they didn’t know which Vision Vancouver candidate they would support.

Overall, 77% of respondents felt Ladner would do a good job as mayor, compared with 46% for Robertson. Just 15% thought David Cadman would do a good job as mayor if he decides to run.

If the race were between Ladner and Robertson, 60% of respondents would want Ladner elected and 45% believe he would be. Just 21% believe Robertson will be elected mayor, while only 15% would like to see that happen.

“People all feel that the status quo is not acceptable and that both candidates are hopeful alternatives to the current approach,” said Mossop. “Both candidates can play into that and use that and say that they can stand for change.” •

apetrozzi@biv.com

Survey response in quotes

Respondents to the latest BIV-Ipsos Interactive Panel survey provided a wide range of commentary on issues in the upcoming municipal elections. Below is a sampling of some of those comments:

“Hopefully we will see some good campaigns with constructive, fresh ideas.”

“It is an amazingly bland pre-election launch. Where is the sizzle?”

“I think the infighting in the NPA will once again undermine their election hopes.”

“The mayor must be mayor of Vancouver and not let the premier of the province make decisions about what matters and impacts the City of Vancouver.”

“The City of Vancouver has at least two excellent people running for mayor this time. We really can’t lose.”

“Not much difference between Ladner or Robertson.”

“The last time we lost the NPA it was a disaster for business.”

“The NPA did a lot of damage by dumping the incumbent and splitting the party. It will cause hesitation on undecided voters to support them.”

“Robertson and Ladner are both good candidates But Robertson simply has no experience at a municipal level. This is too big a city with too many serious issues to hand over to someone who will have to spend the first year (at least) learning how to operate within the municipal system in order to get anything done.”

“The election should focus on cost control and reduction of taxes.”

“I think we’re in good hands. No matter whether Peter or Gregor win, I will be happy with the result and look forward to some positive change for Vancouver.”

“The NPA has been quite hopeless in dealing with poverty, homelessness and affordable housing.”

“Sorry that Sam didn’t turn out to be the leader we needed and expected.”

“Peter Ladner needs to more clearly differentiate himself from Gregor Robertson on issues other than experience in municipal governance. Robertson will have the full provincial NDP machine behind him to get out the vote.”

“Peter Ladner has the personality, the smarts and the social graces to become a strong mayor. We are a world-class city, and we need a strong personality to lead it and to enhance its business potential. He needs to come down hard on crime and improve the infrastructure to the benefit of business as well as all residents of greater Vancouver: let’s have one mayor for the entire region and forget about these silly satellite cities.” •