In the upcoming municipal election in Thunder Bay, Ont., and nearby areas, the primary concern among voters is homelessness and encampments, as revealed by a recent survey conducted by CBC Thunder Bay. The survey, which was launched earlier this week, has garnered feedback from over 430 individuals, with 369 fully completing it by Friday afternoon. The objective of the survey is to inform CBC Thunder Bay’s coverage of the municipal election leading up to the voting day on Oct. 26.
The majority of respondents, over 86%, reside in Thunder Bay, while smaller percentages live in Sioux Lookout and Ignace, with the remainder residing in neighboring communities. Participants were asked to identify the most critical issue for their city or region in the upcoming election. More than half of the respondents highlighted homelessness and encampments as their top concern, followed by crime and policing at 47%, road infrastructure at 30%, and cost of living at 23%.
Additionally, respondents were asked what actions they would take if they were mayor for a day. Some suggested providing greater support to the police to address crime and theft, while others proposed converting vacant buildings and undeveloped natural areas into affordable housing. Enhancing investments in the economy was also a popular response.
The survey also indicated that the majority of participants intend to vote in the election. However, concerns such as inaction from the city council, dissatisfaction with current candidates, and transportation challenges were raised by those who were undecided or not planning to vote.
To access the survey, please follow the link provided.