How Ontarians Feel About Ford’s Proposed 401 Tunnel: Poll

Vehicles are seen on Highway 401 westbound in Kingston, Ont., on Jan. 11, 2019. The Canadian Press/Lars Hagberg

Ontarians’ opinion of Premier Doug Ford’s proposed tunnel under Highway 401 is slightly more negative than positive, with feasibility and high cost being common concerns, a recent poll suggests.

More than 45 percent of Ontario residents said building a tunnel under the 401 is a bad idea, with more than a quarter describing it as a “very bad idea,” according to a new Abacus Data poll. Meanwhile, 35 percent of respondents like the proposal, although only 8 percent described it as a “very good idea.” Nearly 20 percent said they didn’t know.

“When the survey was conducted, 2 in 3 Ontarians were aware of the Premier’s announcement to conduct a feasibility assessment to build a tunnel under the 401,” Abacus CEO David Coletto said in the poll’s report.

“When asked for their initial reaction, responses tended to be more negative. Many thought the idea would be too expensive or unfeasible, some thought this was a bad use of taxpayers money or shouldn’t be the priority at the moment. Others thought it would help traffic in the region.”

Feasibility was the most popular cause for concern at 19 percent, followed by financial concerns at 17 percent. Disagreement with government priorities was the third most popular reason, coming from more than 10 percent of respondents. Supporters, on the other hand, said the tunnel was a good idea with 12 percent favouring its potential to alleviate congestion and a similar proportion saying it promotes development.

Support for the tunnel was highest among those aged 18 to 29, where half were in favour of the project. Support decreased with age, the poll found, with just over 20 percent of those aged 60 and over saying it is a good idea.

Participants were also asked their opinion on Ford’s idea to buy back the privately owned stretch of Highway 407 as part of the province’s effort to reduce congestion.

Unlike the 401 tunnel project, this idea had a higher approval rating, with more than twice as many saying it was a good idea. Nearly 40 percent said it was “good” or “very good” while 18 percent called it “bad” or “very bad.” Just over 20 percent described it as an “acceptable idea,” and 21 percent said they didn’t know.

The survey was conducted from Oct. 3 to 10 among 997 Ontario residents.

Perceptions of Homeless Encampments

Participants were also surveyed about their views on homeless encampments. Nearly 85 percent of Ontario residents said homeless encampments are a problem, with more than half saying they are “a big problem,” the poll found.

Over 70 percent said they favoured removing encampments “immediately” and providing alternative housing. A majority, 80 percent, said they want officials to take a compassionate approach, such as providing mental health and addiction services, when dealing with encampments.

“Homeless encampments are seen as a problem by almost all Ontarians and most don’t think the provincial government is doing enough to help municipalities to deal with them,” wrote Coletto.

“There’s broad support for action and an approach that helps solve the issue and finds permanent help and housing for those who are unhoused and in the encampments at the moment.”

Young Canadians appeared more likely to view encampments as a big problem, with nearly 60 percent of those aged 18 to 29 rating them as such. Perceptions of the problem decreased with age, according to the poll, with less than half of those aged 60 and over considering them a major problem.

The majority of respondents, more than 60 percent, said the Ontario government is not doing enough to help municipalities address the encampments issue. Just over 20 percent said the province is doing enough, while 5 percent said it is doing more than enough.

As for the approach to dealing with encampments, offering employment support programs was the most popular measure, favoured by 86 percent of participants. Expanding temporary shelters, and providing mental health and addiction services followed as preferred measures, both supported by more than 80 percent of respondents.