Over half of Toronto residents doubt city's World Cup readiness, poll shows
A new Angus Reid and Nextdoor survey found 53% of GTA residents believe Toronto was unprepared. Main concerns: taxpayer costs (48%), traffic delays (28%), and safety (16%).
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More than half of Toronto-area residents lack confidence in the city's readiness to host the FIFA World Cup, according to new polling released Saturday.
Among 1,503 Canadian adults surveyed by Angus Reid and Nextdoor, 53 per cent of Greater Toronto Area residents said Toronto was unprepared for a major international event. Residents' biggest concerns are the cost to taxpayers (48 per cent), traffic delays (28 per cent), and safety and overcrowding (16 per cent). An additional 28 per cent believe hosting major events has a negative impact on the city.
Despite the skepticism, Mayor Olivia Chow said the city has "delivered" as a World Cup host. Toronto's chief of congestion reported traffic has remained manageable during games, with vehicle traffic around Toronto Stadium down 25 per cent.
Similar concerns emerged in Vancouver, Canada's other host city, where 49 per cent of residents said the city is unprepared for major international events, and 56 per cent expressed worries about taxpayer costs.