HALDIMAND—In a county as diverse as Haldimand, finding common ground is no small task – but the latest Resident Satisfaction Survey suggests Council is getting it right for the majority, although some concerns remain.
Haldimand Council recently received the results of the 2024 Resident Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Deloitte Inc., which gauged community perceptions of life in the county.
Simon Webb, Economic Advisory Manager at Deloitte, presented the findings, providing detailed insights into residents’ priorities, satisfaction levels, and areas for improvement.
Webb explained the survey methodology, highlighting the use of randomized telephone interviews complemented by an online survey.
“The randomized telephone survey ensures a representative sample of the population,” Webb noted.
A total of 301 telephone interviews were conducted between September 19 and October 23, with a margin of error of +/- 5.6%.
The online survey garnered an additional 385 responses, offering qualitative insights.
The survey revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 96% of respondents rating the quality of life in Haldimand County as “good” or “excellent.”
Key descriptors of life in the county included “community,” “quiet,” and “friendly people.”
Webb acknowledged the strong results, stating, “These findings indicate a high level of resident satisfaction and reflect positively compared to similar surveys conducted in other communities.”
However, areas for improvement were also identified. Affordable housing emerged as the top priority, followed by transportation within the county and local amenities like dining and entertainment options. These issues resonate with broader trends in rural municipalities across Canada, according to Webb.
Councillors raised diverse concerns based on the survey findings.
Councillor Rob Shirton focused on the logistics of reaching residents: “Many people today are wary of phone scams. I wonder how many hung up or declined to participate because of this,” he commented.
Webb responded by outlining measures taken to address these challenges, including pre-communication efforts and the use of local phone numbers.
Metcalfe also acknowledged the improvement in resident satisfaction compared to previous years.
“It’s good to see that residents are feeling more positive about the county,” he said.
While the survey highlighted a desire for expanded recreational facilities, Councillor Dan Lawrence pointed out the existing breadth of amenities.
“We have more arenas, parks, and facilities than required by provincial standards. It’s important to recognize what we already offer,” Lawrence stated. He also addressed public transit desires, noting the challenges of maintaining such services in a rural context after a recent transportation provider ceased operations.
Other survey insights included high satisfaction with access to parks and green spaces, fire services, and garbage collection.
Dissatisfaction centred around community housing, traffic management, and communications.
Webb noted that while Haldimand County scored well on its communication efforts, there is still room for improvement.
“Communications is an area where many municipalities struggle, but your scores are quite strong at 72%,” he said.
Residents also expressed their views on value for tax dollars: 77% felt they received good value for their taxes, with 59% supporting minor tax increases to maintain or improve services. This aligns with feedback favouring investments in waterfront improvements and festivals to attract out-of-town visitors.
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley concluded the discussion by commending the survey’s comprehensiveness.
“The results affirm our county’s strengths while providing clear direction for growth. It’s encouraging to see residents recognizing the improvements we’ve made,” she said.
Bentley also acknowledged the challenges highlighted by the survey, such as transportation and housing affordability, and expressed Council’s commitment to addressing these issues.
