Media Release: Regional Demographic Survey Results Now Available

The City of St. John's in partnership with the municipalities of Torbay, Conception Bay South, Paradise and Portugal Cove -St. Phillip’s today released the results of the joint demographic survey, which took place from February to July 2016. The survey was conducted to help inform policy, planning and the delivery of services within the municipalities now and in the future.

Regional data being presented is representative of the entire St. John’s census metropolitan area (CMA) region which is a geographic area defined by Statistics Canada and includes St. John’s, Conception Bay South, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Torbay, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, Pouch Cove, Flatrock, Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, and Bauline.

“This survey has enabled us to gain feedback and information directly from residents to find out about their use and understanding of city services and to determine what’s important to them,” said Dennis O’Keefe, Mayor of the City of St. John’s. “The data will enhance our future planning and programming processes and provides interesting insight into what makes our city a good place to live from the point of view of our residents.”

The City is working with the other municipal partners to share components of the survey results with various stakeholders and the general public. Questions asked during the survey covered a range of topics including transportation, city services, age, household composition, income, how people receive information, quality of life, challenges facing municipalities, and the downtown.

“The Town of Conception Bay South is pleased to partner with our regional neighbours on a project to obtain vital demographic data,” says Steve Tessier, Mayor of CBS. “As a community continuing to experience residential and commercial growth, this type of information helps inform our planning processes and improve services that our residents are using.”

The survey was conducted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency, and over 3400 surveys were completed.

“The Town of Torbay was delighted to have been part of this project,” said Ralph Tapper, Mayor of Torbay. “The statistics gathered with our regional municipal partners, are an invaluable source of information that will guide us as we plan for the future of our respective communities.”

Data may also be useful to other community groups, for example those working in the not-for-profit sector in community development.

“We embrace any opportunity to better understand and listen to our residents,” said Moses G. Tucker, Mayor of Portugal Cove-St. Phillip’s. “This project will have a long lasting impact and help create and support a community that not only makes the lives of our residents in Portugal Cove -St. Philip's better, but, also enhances the region and our role in it.”

Information collected will also be made available to persons looking to start a business, developers and other organizations who use the data in planning and decision making.

“As one of the province’s fastest growing municipalities, the Town of Paradise certainly supported the need for a regional demographic survey and we were pleased to participate in this collaborative research project with our neighbouring municipalities,” said Dan Bobbett, Mayor of Town of Paradise. “We know that the data collected will help us to continue to provide our growing population and business community with programs and services that are directly suited to their needs.”

Media Contacts:

Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca

Kristina George
Communications Coordinator
Town of Conception Bay South
T. 709-834-6500 Ext. 108 C. 709-770-2267
kristina.george@conceptionbaysouth.ca

Ross Houlihan
Economic Development Officer
Town of Torbay
709-437-6532, ext 264
rhoulihan@torbay.ca

Diane Keough
Communications Manager
Town of Paradise
Office: 709.782.2603
Cell: 709.769.4212
dkeough@townofparadise.ca

Jeff Lawlor
Director of Economic Development, Marketing and Communications
Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s
709-895-8000 Ext 222
jeff.lawlor@pcsp.ca