Majority of Toronto, GTA residents don’t believe their municipality is prepared for climate-change emergencies: poll

A recent poll conducted by Canada Pulse Insights for CityNews reveals that the majority of residents in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) do not believe their respective municipalities are adequately prepared for climate-change related emergencies. The poll found that in Toronto, 60% of surveyed residents disagreed with the statement "I believe my municipality is prepared for climate-change emergencies," with 17% disagreeing strongly and 43% somewhat.

In the GTA, the figure was slightly lower at 56%, with 11% disagreeing strongly and 45% somewhat. Strong agreement that municipalities are prepared was only found among 7% of Torontonians and 10% of GTA residents. One significant factor influencing this belief is the residents' perception of their city council's performance. Those who rate their city council as doing a good job are more likely to believe their municipality is ready for climate-change emergencies, with 52% of Torontonians and 29% of GTA residents agreeing.

Conversely, only 3% of older residents (55 and over) agreed strongly, indicating a potential generational divide in perceptions of preparedness. Notably, only 9% of Torontonians and 7% of GTA residents cited climate change and extreme weather impacts as the most important issues facing their municipality, with affordability and cost of living topping the list for both regions.