Mayor's Office Issues Warning Over Telephone Survey on Southlands

News Room - A recent telephone poll conducted by the Mustel Group regarding the residential/commercial development proposal for the Southlands has been causing quite a stir amongst residents of South Delta. Although the Mustel Group has no obligation to disclose their client it is widely speculated that this survey has been commissioned by the Century Group Land Corporation as an attempt to offer opposing numbers to counteract the Ipsos Reid poll that reported that the majority of residents are opposed to any development of the contentious piece of agriculturally zoned land.

The questions emulate word for word the same questions asked by the Ipsos Reid survey. That's where the similarities end. The poll then goes on to ask very ambiguous questions regarding general development sentiments and what type of person you are in regards to development. The pollster asks, "Do you see yourself as the type of person who opposes all types of development? Or, do you support some development provided proper public input is assured?"

One pollster even confirmed that the questions had the Corporation of Delta logos on it. This was brought to the attention of the city's chief bureaucrat George Harvie prompting the Mayor's Office to issue this statement:

THE CORPORATION OF DELTA
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

For Immediate Release – July 28, 2010

It has come to our attention that a research group is conducting a telephone survey in Tsawwassen on the Southlands.

Mayor Lois E. Jackson and Delta Council would like to advise that the Corporation of Delta has NO involvement or association with this survey.

Delta has contacted the research group responsible for conducting the survey to ensure that the Corporation of Delta is not being associated with the administration of this
survey.

In June 2010, the Corporation of Delta retained Ipsos Reid Public Affairs to conduct a Tsawwassen Area Plan mail-in survey. This survey closed June 18, 2010 and the results were reported to Delta Council on June 28, 2010.

Currently, the Tsawwassen Area Plan Review Committee is developing recommendations for the new Tsawwassen Area Plan. The Committee will report their recommendations for consideration by Mayor and Council, by August 30, 2010.

For more information, contact the Chief Administrative Officer, George V. Harvie at (604) 946-3212.