Despite unprecedented political upheaval at city hall, almost half of Toronto’s residents believe the city is headed “on the right track,” a new poll has found.   

An Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CTV and its affiliates, found that 48 per cent of Toronto’s residents believe the city is on the right track, compared to 52 per cent who say it is “headed in the wrong direction.”

Divisions emerged, however, along geographical lines. While the inner suburbs, including Etobicoke, East York and Scarborough mirrored the overall results, the old city of Toronto – or the downtown core -- struck a different chord: 64 per cent of residents there said they believe the city is headed in the wrong direction.

No other part of the city is so convinced in its views:

  • Etobicoke 51% right track/49% wrong direction
     
  • Scarborough 50% right track/50% wrong direction
     
  • North York 53% right track/47% wrong direction
     
  • York and East York 55% right track/45% wrong direction

The poll was conducted between Nov. 8-12, amid revelations of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s drug and alcohol use, and increasing calls for him to resign or take a leave.

Ford’s troubles appear not far from mind. The survey found that 26 per cent of residents believe the Ford’s trials and tribulations is the most important local issue facing Toronto, followed by public transit, at 20 per cent. Other issues such as infrastructure, municipal taxes and crime all scored below 13 per cent.

In terms of approval rating, Ford did not stack up when compared to other prominent civic leaders.

According to the survey, Ford currently enjoys a 40 per cent approval rating, but lags behind Police Chief Bill Blair, who holds steady at 80 per cent.  Sixty-six per cent of residents approved of the job newly appointed Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly is doing, while TTC Chair Karen Stintz, who recently declared her intentions to the seek the mayoralty in 2014, sits at a 65 per cent approval. Rounding out the category was Ford’s brother, Coun. Doug Ford, who sits at an approval rating of 42 per cent.

Ipsos senior vice-president John Wright said the results indicate that residents feel its public institutions have persevered during a time of chaos.

“What it says to me is that the Fords are isolated but the city still has direction, faith and trust in the institutions and the personalities,” he said.  “This is more about the resiliency of the city than the destruction of it by a couple of people.”

Residents were also asked to rate the trustworthiness of their civic leaders. Here’s how they ranked:

  • Police Chief Bill Blair: 73 per cent
     
  • Mayor Rob Ford: 34 per cent
     
  • Toronto MP Olivia Chow: 65 per cent
     
  • Radio personality John Tory: 61 per cent
     
  • Coun. Karen Stintz: 55 per cent
     
  • Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne: 54 per cent
     
  • Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly: 47 per cent
     
  • Coun. Adam Vaughan: 43 per cent
     
  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper: 42 per cent

The poll surveyed 665 Toronto residents via an online panel. The results are considered accurate plus or minus 4.3 per cent.