Robbins Sce Research For immediate release Highlights:
· Coquitlam residents are of the opinion that the environment should not be sacrificed for the economy; · Coquitlam residents by a majority are of the opinion that jobs should be sacrificed instead of the Coquitlam River.
Question #1-In your opinion, should the environment be sacrificed for the sake of the economy? Yes (24%); No (76%).
Question #2-In your opinion should jobs be sacrificed in order to save the Coquitlam River? Yes (72%); No (28%)* · through this question ‘undecided’ rate was approximately 15%-respondents were asked to which side of the question-environment or jobs they were ‘leaning’ and than asked to characterize that ‘leaning’ out of 100%, i.e. 50/50-60/40-70/30-avg. outcome 70/30 environment, no respondents characterized as undecided ‘leaned’ towards protecting jobs. ‘Undecided’ were scored 60/40 out of an abundance of caution for conservative measurement. · Approximately 10% of respondents initially willing to answer questions, refused to continue with survey after hearing question #1. · Respondents interviewed on Sunday May 02, 2004 were more inclined by 10-15% to choose jobs over the environment.
Final totals featured in this survey are a statistical outcome (rather than raw data only) and features an error rate of 2-3%, 19 times out of 20, save for extraordinary circumstances.
Commentary-Coquitlam residents will choose the saving of the Coquitlam River over the saving of jobs.
The sentiment throughout this survey is clear although the decision was not an easy one to make.
Insight-Coquitlam Mayor and City Council recently renewed licenses for businesses which have caused and continue to cause harm to the Coquitlam River. The handling of this issue is an embarrassment and an affront to all right thinking citizens, particularly the Mayor’s characterization of ‘losses of jobs in the thousands’. This issue should be brought back to council and dealt with properly.
A random telephone survey of 160 Coquitlam residents between May 2-5, 2004. Error rate is 2.5%, 19 times out of 20 @ 96% competency.
Glen P. Robbins -30- |