Crime and cost of living worries growing among St. John's residents, survey suggests

Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador's capital city are more worried about crime and the cost of living than they were four years ago, a new survey suggests. 

Earlier this week, St. John's released the results of its resident satisfaction survey, which was conducted by MQO Research between Sept. 10 and Oct. 8 and surveyed 601 people by phone.

Of those surveyed, 46 per cent rated their quality of life at a eight or higher out of a maximum of 10, with 74 per cent giving a rate of seven or higher —  a 14 per cent drop from 2020. 

About 15 per cent cited the cost of living and 15 per cent cited crime and public safety as the reason behind the drop in reported quality of life.

"I think the one thing that came out in this, is the issues that I think is seen in every municipality, in every jurisdiction across the country," Mayor Danny Breen told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show.

"And that's the challenges that people feel, particularly in the areas of public safety, affordability, the housing shortage and those related issues."

While the survey suggests the affordability crisis is worrying some residents, Breen says it also suggests people generally believe the city is going in the right direction and are pleased with the services it offers.

"The only area where, really, we had a reduction was in those quality life issues," said Breen.

He attributed that 14 per cent drop in quality of life between 2020 and 2024 to the pressures people are facing regarding food insecurity and inflation.

But there are some positives. 

Breen pointed to a response in the survey that suggests 91 per cent of residents who responded said they feel like they belong in the city and 73 per cent were pleased with city programs and services, rating it a seven or higher.

"I think that that's a good number for us," he said.

He said projects like the replacement for the Mews Centre, as well as investments to seniors programs, water and sewer infrastructure and road work as focal points for the city.

"We've been making lots of investments in that area and I think people are finding that these are good investments and they're adding to their quality of life here in the city."

Working to address concerns

Breen said city council is working to address public safety concerns, which includes collaborating with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the provincial government.

He said the city is also pushing to address the housing crunch, pointing to the $10 million received from the federal government through its housing accelerator fund and new apartment building projects.

"These are issues that we're continuing to work on and we know that those issues are top of mind for a majority of the residents," he said.

Breen said the survey results will help shape the city's next budget, which will be released next month.

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