There’s wind in the mayor’s sails. Bolstered by luck and legislation his priorities are those issues foremost in the public mind. Even better, portfolios troublesome to his administration such as crime and the waterfront have slipped in the public consciousness. He and his staff have the sense to push through controversial or unpopular measures during the first part of this term, leaving later years to finesse policy and opinion.

 

While his strategy seems clear, a recent survey by Environics – partly supported by City tax dollars – reveals strengths as well as vulnerabilities.

 

The issues that were top of mind for residents in the late spring were the environment and transportation. Crime and taxes were next. Issues such as the waterfront didn’t even rate a mention.

 

Nothing could be better for the current administration. The public’s demand for environmental action is being addressed by the Clean Air Plan, which was launched with such fanfare. The Plan has entered into a public engagement process that will keep it before the public for months.

 

The public’s second most important concern is transportation, which the City’s administration interprets as transit. This issue began the year with the City’s announcement of $6 billion in transit plans, and was recently followed with $17.5 billion in transit promises from the province – none of which is funded. Between those good intentions came the final approval from all three levels of government to extend the Spadina subway through York University and up to Vaughan.

 

On the crime front, the pre-emptive police action in June plus increased social service funding has the potential to keep residents’ fear of crime manageable.

 

Unfortunately the City’s complaints about the imbalance between its responsibilities and revenues barely registers as a public concern. So the administration was wise to get significant increases in taxes and user fees out of the way at the beginning of its term.

 

Given basic political survival instincts and the new stronger mayor system that allows better control of Council, the administration seems to have clear sailing for the rest of the term.

 

Not so fast. Without a doubt the mayor came out of the election strongly, and our City government enjoys a 60% confidence level among residents. But to put this approval rating in context, it is below the average satisfaction level of Mayor Miller’s first term, and well below that enjoyed by the first Lastman administration.

 

While the environment is now everyone’s hot button, as recently as last year residents told pollsters that it followed a distant third to their concerns about crime and transportation.  A summer of violence or gridlock can easily put those two intractable issues high on the public agenda.

 

There are challenges as well within the administration’s stronger portfolios. Torontonians satisfied with its public transit has fallen since the heady days of the early 90s. Despite announcements and investment, satisfaction with public transit remains at historically low levels.

 

Without a doubt there’s more to governance than reading polls. At best they offer a snapshot of public opinion. This view shows the public in a moment of contentment with our City’s administration. It was held before Council’s decisions on new property and automobile taxes.

 

Although the first Lastman administration averaged the highest approval ratings since amalgamation, Mayor Lastman’s second administration had the lowest. By avoiding pitfalls, with careful issues management and through responsible policies, the current administration will be doing its best to avoid the example of its predecessor.