Poll shows Guelph citizens want two member wards, 12 city councillors
A new poll by Strategic Directions, commissioned by Democracy Guelph and Fair Vote Guelph shows that:
- 51% of Guelph residents want to keep dual member wards. Only 25% wanted single member wards.
- 58% of Guelph residents want to keep 12 councillors total. Only 26% wanted to elect 8 councillors instead.
These results are consistent with the results of the consultation done by Watson and Associates Economists for Guelph City Council which found that:
- 52.6% wanted to keep dual member wards. Only 34.9% wanted single member wards
- 66.1% wanted 12 councillors or more. Only 25.2% wanted to reduce the size of city council
“The results of multiple surveys are telling us that there is currently no mandate for adoption of the recommendation to move to 8 single member wards.” says Kevin Bowman of Democracy Guelph. “That said we have an opportunity to continue this discussion in a more deliberative way. Guelph could and should make positive changes to Council to make it more representative and remove barriers to public input and participation. We need to ensure the people of Guelph have an opportunity to understand the options available and we need popular support before implementing any proposed changes.”
“Guelph City Council needs to respect what citizens are telling them,” says Ken MacKay of Fair Vote Canada Guelph. “Guelph residents like having two local members representing them. Dual member wards have been working well for voters in Guelph for 30 years. Guelph residents are clearly saying they want to keep them.”
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Democracy Guelph is a volunteer organization interested in doing democracy better.
Fair Vote Guelph is a citizens’ campaign for electoral reform.
Polling Results
Democracy Guelph and Fair Vote Canada conducted a survey of 759 randomly selected residents of Guelph to study public opinion regarding municipal election procedures. The survey was administered over two nights, Nov 3rd-4th, 2020.
Polling done by:
Strategic Directions
www.mystrategicdirections.com
Results of the poll:
| Members per ward | Count | Percent |
| Guelph should have only one member per ward | 78 | 25% |
| Guelph should keep two members per ward | 159 | 51% |
| Don’t know or aren’t sure | 72 | 23% |
| TOTAL | 309 | 100% |
| Number of Councillors | Count | Percentage |
| Guelph should continue to elect 12 councillors | 242 | 58% |
| Guelph should only elect 8 councillors | 109 | 26% |
| Don’t know or aren’t sure | 68 | 16% |
| TOTAL | 419 | 100% |
| Voted in the last municipal election | Count | Percent |
| Yes | 621 | 88% |
| No | 57 | 8% |
| Don’t recall | 24 | 3% |
| TOTAL | 703 | 100% |
QUESTIONS
In municipal elections, Guelph voters currently elect two members per ward to Guelph’s city council.
If you feel that Guelph should only have one member per ward, press 1
If you feel that Guelph should keep two members per ward, press 2.
If you don’t know, or aren’t sure, press 3
Guelph currently elects a total of 12 city councilors.
If you feel that Guelph should continue to elect 12 councilors, press 1
If you feel that Guelph should only elect 8 councilors, press 2.
If you don’t know, or aren’t sure, press 3
Did you vote in the last municipal election?
Yes, press 1
No, press 2
If you don’t recall, press 3.