The handling of Occupy Vancouver was identified as a "very important" or "moderately important" issue by 70 per cent of respondents in the Angus Reid poll, while public safety, sanitation services and overall quality of life were each identified as important by at least 90 per cent.
"The whole Occupy Vancouver issue has been gaining prominence, but it's not really the most important issue for people in B.C.," said pollster Mario Canseco.
Public opinion of the Vancouver Occupy encampment continues to decline, however, with 64 per cent of those polled declaring an unfavourable view of the protest. Only 29 per cent supported Occupy, and just 15 per cent said the protest should be able to continue indefinitely.
But six issues garnered more attention in the Angus Reid poll, which surveyed 402 adults in Vancouver from Nov. 9-10. Protecting the environment was identified as important by 87 per cent of respondents, while 83 per cent pointed to homelessness and 74 per cent said it was important to help small businesses.
Bike lanes and backyard chicken coops were only identified as important to 39 and 17 per cent of respondents, respectively -- and Canseco said most of the people griping about bike lanes won't be voting in Vancouver's election.
"They're driving from North Vancouver, they're driving from West Vancouver," Canseco said. "[Vancouver voters] are going to be deciding the election, and those voters are not particularly dismayed with the situation with the bike lanes."
Sixty-two per cent of respondents said the current municipal government had done a "good job" or "very good job" with the lanes. Forty-five per cent said the same about chicken coops.
Respondents were also asked to select words to describe Robertson and his Non-Partisan Association rival, Suzanne Anton.
The best traits attributed to Robertson were intelligence (43 per cent), being down to earth (30 per cent) and compassion (28 per cent). He was also described as arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent) and inefficient (27 per cent).
Anton was most favourably described as intelligent (27 per cent) and strong (20 per cent). She was also found to be arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent), boring (23 per cent) and uncaring (18 per cent) -- but Canseco insists that doesn't mean she's not a contender.
"People over the age of 55 seem to look at Suzanne Anton in a much more positive light," Canseco said. "That is the group that votes the most in municipal elections."
Forty-seven per cent said they wanted Robertson as mayor ether with a Vision Vancouver council or not. Twenty-seven said they preferred an Anton-led municipal government, with or without a Non-Partisan Association council.
2011年11月14日星期一
2011年4月23日星期六
Urban chickens get test run in Fredericton
Fredericton has passed a variance on a bylaw to temporarily allow urban chickens in the New Brunswick city.
The pilot program was launched this week and will permit a few residents to set up backyard chicken coops for one year. The bylaw will then be reassessed.
Fredericton joins more than 300 North American cities allowing urban chickens. The issue has also been a hot-button topic in Halifax, where urban chickens remain prohibited.
Natalie Dunn and her husband Phil Cyr will be among the chicken pioneers. They plan to install a chicken coop in their backyard to house three egg-laying birds.
"I was very surprised myself. You always think that it's not something that the city would want — we are not farmers," Dunn said Friday.
Dunn and her husband are eager to have their own chickens so they can be more self-sufficient and environmentally friendly.
"It's just a way for us to live more sustainably, [to] know where our food comes from," she said. "It's kind of like a hobby for [Cyr]. He grows vegetables and now eggs."
Concerns about smell, hygiene
Fredericton councillor Jordan Graham said council had heard from people opposed to urban chickens.
"Some of it was about the hygiene of it, others was the smell that might come from it, and then others simply were concerned that there might be a nuisance having a potential noisy chicken coop next door," he said.
Graham said after the year-long pilot runs its course, council will reconsider its stance on urban chickens.
"After one year we will be able to re-evaluate everything. We will be able to see if there are rules that need to be put in place, or if it should discontinued," he said.
The pilot program was launched this week and will permit a few residents to set up backyard chicken coops for one year. The bylaw will then be reassessed.
Fredericton joins more than 300 North American cities allowing urban chickens. The issue has also been a hot-button topic in Halifax, where urban chickens remain prohibited.
Natalie Dunn and her husband Phil Cyr will be among the chicken pioneers. They plan to install a chicken coop in their backyard to house three egg-laying birds.
"I was very surprised myself. You always think that it's not something that the city would want — we are not farmers," Dunn said Friday.
Dunn and her husband are eager to have their own chickens so they can be more self-sufficient and environmentally friendly.
"It's just a way for us to live more sustainably, [to] know where our food comes from," she said. "It's kind of like a hobby for [Cyr]. He grows vegetables and now eggs."
Concerns about smell, hygiene
Fredericton councillor Jordan Graham said council had heard from people opposed to urban chickens.
"Some of it was about the hygiene of it, others was the smell that might come from it, and then others simply were concerned that there might be a nuisance having a potential noisy chicken coop next door," he said.
Graham said after the year-long pilot runs its course, council will reconsider its stance on urban chickens.
"After one year we will be able to re-evaluate everything. We will be able to see if there are rules that need to be put in place, or if it should discontinued," he said.
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