While residents of Vancouver say housing tops their list of concerns, those in Surrey say crime is by far the most pressing issue in their city.
The results of an Insights West survey released March 7 show that over half of those polled in Surrey – 51% – say criminal activity is the most important issue facing the city. By contrast, only 3% of Vancouverites say crime is their biggest concern.
"It is rare to see crime registering at such as high level as what we see right now in Surrey," says Mario Canseco, vice-president, public affairs at Insights West.
"The survey shows that the population of the city is concerned about public safety on several facets, and not just as a detached issue for the municipal government to tackle."
Almost half of Surrey residents say they feel unsafe walking in their own neighbourhoods after dark, compared with only 22% in Vancouver.
The second biggest concern for those in Surrey is transportation at 18%, followed by poverty (6%) and education (6%).
Vancouverites' top concern is housing. The poll found that 40% of respondents identify this as the city's most important issue, followed by transportation (17%), poverty (14%) and economic development (11%).
In spite of these fears about crime, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts holds a higher approval rating (73%) than Vancouver's Gregor Robertson (52%).
Residents of Surrey say they are most impressed with how the city provides sanitation services and fosters artistic and cultural activities. Vancouverites most strongly approve of how the municipal government is promoting tourism in the city.
Four-out-of-ten respondents in Vancouver say they disapprove of the way Robertson is handling his duties as mayor.
"Mayor Watts holds enviable popularity numbers with an election looming this year," Canseco said. "Mayor Robertson gets a positive assessment from just over half of residents, but his rating climbs to 60% among respondents aged 18-to-34."
