What’s on Voters’ Minds in the Fraser Valley?

The provincial election is just around the corner and voters are paying close attention to the promises and commitments by the candidates. With housing issues front and centre, are voters confident their concerns are being heard? Are they satisfied with current leadership or is a change in the offing? Do they see light at the end of affordability tunnel?

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board commissioned opinion research among voters in its jurisdiction to identify the key issues on voters’ minds, provide insight into housing issues that matter most, and to understand the public’s perspective on solutions to the current situation. The research was conducted by Mustel Group online during late June/early July among a representative sample of 600 adult residents of the cities of Surrey, Langley, White Rock, Delta, Abbottsford, and Mission.

The results underscore the stress many British Columbians have been under for some years now–and the need for stronger leadership to help them through it.

Strong Sense of Community…But for How Long?

Overall, residents tend to have a strong sense of community or belonging in their municipality, with two-thirds (64%) describing it as strong in contrast to one-third (30%) who find it weak. Those of South Asian origins as well as respondents from the City of Delta reported the strongest sense of community (73% and 81%, respectively).

But residents are not particularly optimistic about the future quality of life for British Columbians, with 45% believing it will get worse in the next five years, in contrast to 23% believing it will get better.

In fact, more than one-third of area residents (38%), reported having considered moving away from the province in the past year.
At the municipal level, there are serious concerns about housing affordability and safety (i.e., crime/drugs/policing). Other issues of local importance include homelessness/poverty, transportation (such as traffic, roads, Massey tunnel replacement), overdevelopment/associated lack of infrastructure, and cost of living/affordability.

Most Important Local Issues Facing Municipalities

Pessimism Prevails …

When asked, “How do you feel about the future quality of life for British Columbians?” nearly half of respondents felt it would be worse in five years.
Males were more optimistic than females-29% versus 18% said it would improve. And nearly twice as many younger (18-34 yrs) voters as older (55+ yrs) thought life would improve (38% versus 19%).

Moving on?

Nearly four in ten respondents said they had considered moving away from the province in the past year.

Grading Leadership

Opinions are mixed as to whether mayor and council, and the provincial government are taking the municipality/province in the right or wrong direction. Overall, about one-third of residents believe the two levels of government are headed in the right direction; however roughly the same number believe they are going in the wrong direction (the remaining third have no opinion or are undecided).

Forty per cent of younger residents (18 to 34) thought their mayor & council were taking the municipality in the right direction compared to approximately 25% of older residents (35 and up).

On a municipal level, the most common reasons for believing their mayor and council are headed in the wrong direction are related to:

• Lack of accountability
• Not providing more affordable housing
• Belief that a change of mayor and/or council is needed
• Overdevelopment/ lack of infrastructure
• Fiscal responsibility/ spending
• Crime/drug use/policing

Younger respondents (18-34) were more likely to vote Conservative versus NDP (46% and 28%, respectively), while for older respondents (55+) NDP edged out Conservatives (46% and 35% , respectively).

Top Three Provincial Issues

Where the Housing Buck Stops

With respect to the issue of housing, residents tend to believe all levels of government are responsible for housing, but if one level has more responsibility than another, the public tends to point the finger to the provincial government first (26%), followed by federal (18%) then municipal (7%).
In terms of solutions to improve housing affordability, the top solutions viewed by the public are (in descending order):

• Make it easier to build/faster permitting
• Limit immigration
• Improve labour wages and salaries
• Increase transportation/transit infrastructure
• Increase density by adding more smaller units

Moreover, while the majority (56%) agree that increasing housing density and supply will make housing more affordable (i.e., adding more units to existing lots, building more mid- and high-rise buildings, increasing density around transit), 37% disagree with this approach. Opinions are more divided in Langley, South Surrey/White Rock.

But 59% disagree that their mayor and council are providing adequate affordable housing options in their municipality. Abbotsford/Mission and South Surrey/White Rock residents in particular are critical (67% and 63% disagreement, respectively).
Suggestions were made to:

• Set limits on real estate prices or rents
• Reduce red tape/development costs
• Build more low-cost rentals/co-ops
• Change zoning to create more density (i.e., smaller lots, laneway houses, mixed usage)

The survey concluded by asking if they think the government is adequately planning for the infrastructure and community services required to meet the needs of a growing population. A resounding 72% responded no, with only 14% believing infrastructure is keeping up.

Come this fall, politicians will have a range of issues to address in their campaign pitches, but one thing is certain: housing will be a key concern to many voters.

Ed. Note: At the time this survey was conducted, the BC United had not yet dropped out of the provincial election race. Voter intentions at that time were: BC NDP 39%, BC Conservatives 37%, BC United 15%, BC Greens 8%, Other 1%.