THUNDER BAY – Horizon Wind Farms have released the results of a Pollara poll that the company says demonstrates support for the project. A statement from Horizon say, “Research conducted by Pollara – one of Canada’s leading public opinion and market research firms– indicates that a wide majority of Thunder Bay residents support the Big Thunder Wind Park.
Today, Pollara released results of a city wide telephone survey that was conducted in May 2010. The survey questions focused on the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park and questioned a randomly selected sample of 703 residents aged 18 years and over, with at least 100 from each of the city’s seven municipal wards.
Horizon states, “Key findings demonstrate that a solid majority of residents support the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park and that many believe the project will have a significantly positive impact on the Thunder Bay job market and the city’s environmental reputation”.
The Pollara survey was commissioned by Horizon Wind Inc. in order to better understand public opinion regarding the Big Thunder Wind Park. Senior Research Consultant of Pollara, Lucas Marshall says, “The research results obtained and published by Pollara are always accurate and reliable within the stated scientific margin of error, regardless of who commissions the research. For the past 25 years, Pollara has earned its reputation as one of Canada’s most highly respected research firms. We were the first company to be recognized with the highest award of distinction for quality by our professional association and we have therefore become the industry standard against which all other research firms are now measured.”
The results of the survey have been statistically weighted according to Statistic Canada’s most recent census data for age and gender, as well as by the population of each municipal ward, to ensure that the sample is representative to the entire adult population of the City of Thunder Bay. Data shows that two thirds of residents support the project:
65% Support the Big Thunder Wind Park
28% Oppose the Big Thunder Wind Park
After hearing arguments for and against the wind park, support improved slightly:
70% Support the Big Thunder Wind Park
25% Oppose the Big Thunder Wind Park
Horizon’s statement adds, “The survey indicates that Horizon Wind Inc. has also done a good job responding to the concerns of the public and that the population is well educated about the wind park. Marshall says; “The Big Thunder Wind Park is well known to residents. Survey results show that 95% of residents have heard about the project.”