Trust in Vancouver’s police department, municipal government weakening

Vancouver, BC (Aug 15, 2011) – A July survey by Justason Market Intelligence (JMI) finds the number of Vancouver residents who “highly trust” Vancouver’s police department has fallen directionally since May to 24% (from 30%). Over the same period, high distrust has grown to 16% (from 9%).

The firm notes a weakening of public trust in Vancouver’s municipal government: the number of residents who “highly trust” has fallen to 9% (from 15%), while the proportion who “highly distrust” has grown from to 18% (from 12%). The proportion highly trusting Vancouver’s school board also has fallen directionally (from 20% to 14%), while the number who “highly distrust” has grown directionally (from 13% to 16%).

“Pollsters like to look at those who reserve judgement–the people not ready to give us an opinion. This number has declined substantially since May, by nearly half for both the police department and the municipal government,” explains Barb Justason, the firm’s principal. “As these residents begin to form their opinions, they are largely negative.”

Despite this evidence of overall weakening in approval numbers, Justason explains that overall trust levels remain quite high and relatively stable. Justason notes that overall trust in the Vancouver Park Board has grown over this period (from 64% to 73% currently).

The Vancouver Civic Outlook is a regular series sponsored by Justason Market Intelligence surveying City of Vancouver residents.

Research Notes:

• Dates of research: July 11-15, 2011
• Methodology: A telephone-online hybrid combining 376 telephone and 115 online panel surveys
• Margin of error: ±5.1 percentage points 19 in 20 times
• Research Sponsor: Justason Market Intelligence.

For more information please contact: