--- Independent Poll says majority of Gatineau residents are satisfied with municipal services

Jordan Gowling

The majority of Gatineau residents are satisfied with their municipal services, according to an independent poll released by Léger marketing. 

The market research firm surveyed 1,151 residents above the age of 18 in the fall of 2020, for its report entitled: Les Gatinois et la vie municipale – Édition 2020 de l'indicateur municipal. The results are that 76 per cent are satisfied with municipal services, while respondents said that particular pride is associated with green spaces (41 per cent), quality of life (29 per cent) and geographic location (26 per cent). 

Points of pride that received slightly less approval compared to the last survey conducted in 2018 include the quality of the natural environment, police services and economic development. The report shows that snow removal received the worst approval rating at 61 per cent, with street and sidewalk maintenance in spring and summer also receiving low satisfaction at 64 per cent, an improvement from the 58 per cent approval rating that was polled in a previous survey in 2018.

A majority of residents were also satisfied with the service they received when they called the city, with an 80 per cent approval rating in this regard. The city asked Léger marketing to survey residents on Gatineau’s management of the pandemic. When asked if they are satisfied with the city’s management of COVID-19, 76 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied. 

The report also demonstrates that Gatineau averages better than the rest of Quebec in three areas, which include the municipal library service, with an 80 per cent approval rating, sports and playground facilities at 76 per cent and the network of bike paths which 74 per cent of the respondents approved of.  The full report can be found at: http://www.gatineau.ca/upload/newsreleases/20210209_presentation.fr-CA.pdf.