Crime rises to top in municipal election survey

An unscientific survey by CBC News of the most important issues for November's municipal elections in P.E.I.'s four largest communities saw crime come out as the biggest issue in the Island's two cities. The list of topics from which tochoose was developed by CBC P.E.I.'s editorial staff.

Sewage was the top issue in Stratford, and new developments in Cornwall.

Here is a list of the issues respondents were asked to rank, in the weighted order in which they ranked them.

Charlottetown (344 responses)

1. Crime
2. Water supply
3. Cosmetic pesticides

   How the survey worked

   The voluntary online survey was open to everyone. Respondents were asked to identify which community they lived in, and presented with a list of issues to set in order of priority. Participation was limited to one entry per IP address.

4. Property taxes
5. Low-income housing
6. Sewage issues
7. Public transit
8. Revitalizing downtown
9. Traffic
10. Term limits for mayors

Summerside (128 responses)

1. Crime
2. Electricity
3. Property taxes
4. New developments
5. Cosmetic pesticides
6. Revitalizing downtown
7. Term limits for mayors and councillors
8. Water and sewer issues
9. Public transit
10. Traffic

Stratford (92 responses)

1. Sewage issues
2. Infrastructure projects
3. Cosmetic pesticides
4. Crime
5. Traffic
6. Parks and recreation
7. New developments
8. Public transit

Cornwall (81 responses)

1. New developments
2. Property taxes
3. Parks and recreation
4. Cosmetic pesticides
5. Traffic
6. Retail services
7. Public transit
8. Sewage issues