A majority of Torontonians oppose building a Walmart near Kensington Market at Bathurst and College Streets, according to the results of a new poll.

Sixty per cent of adult residents who participated in the telephone poll conducted by Forum Research on June 25 are against RioCan’s proposal of a three-storey mall that includes a Walmart and large underground parking lot.

And the opposition against the U.S.-based chain store doesn’t just come from those living downtown, but from residents in the suburbs.

About 57 per cent of respondents in North York and 62 per cent in Scarborough disapproved of the proposal.

Opposition is high among:

  • Females (65 per cent)
  • Those who use transit (64 per cent)
  • Post graduates (65 per cent)
  • High income groups, $80K to $100K (68 per cent)

The survey found that 41 per cent of Rob Ford supporters and 35 per cent of the wealthiest ($100K to $250K) are in favour of the proposal.

Forum surveyed 1,239 randomly selected residents across Toronto. Results are considered accurate within 3 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

The development proposal, released in April, calls for the demolition of four buildings: the Sunnyside Auto Body shop, Kromer Radio, a parking lot and the SESCO electrical supply building.

A statement released by Walmart says, “We are paying extremely close attention to the dialogue surrounding this proposal, we are monitoring feedback very closely, and we appreciate all of the views being expressed. We would welcome the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the community.”

Local residents have taken steps to stop the development proposal from moving forward, fearing the large retail outlet would close independent stores and change the feel of the close-knit neighbourhood.

In June, a petition was started by Friends of Kensington Market to gather signatures against the development proposal. It has attracted more than 80,000 signatures to date.

A second public meeting hosted by the city’s Planning Department is scheduled for July 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 100 Queen St. West.