2025 Citizen Satisfaction Survey

The Town of Sidney has received the results of the 2025 Citizen Satisfaction Survey intended to help Council and staff better understand how community members feel about municipal services and priorities.

The online survey was conducted public relations research firm, Ipsos, on behalf of the Town of Sidney.

Survey topics included but were not limited to:

• Important local issues
• Quality of life
• Satisfaction with Council and Administration
• Satisfaction with municipal services
• Value for taxes, and balancing taxation with service delivery levels
• Communication

The final survey sample was weighted according to the most recent Census data to ensure that the demographics of the sample match those of the actual Sidney population according to age and gender.

Key Findings:

Quality of Life:

• Perceptions of the overall quality of life in Sidney today are overwhelmingly positive (98% total good).
• Slightly less than half (47%) feel that the quality of life in Sidney has ‘stayed the same’ over the past three years. Among those noticing a change, more say the quality of life has ‘worsened’ (28%) than ‘improved’ (18%).
• Those saying the quality of life has ‘improved’ most frequently attribute this to “economic development/more local businesses” (23% coded open-ends). Another 14% mention “good amenities/services (unspecified)”.
• The three main reasons (coded open-ends) for saying the quality of life has ‘worsened’ are “growth/development” (25%), “traffic/congestion” (17%), and “poverty/homelessness” (15%).

Important Local Issues:

• On an unprompted basis, residents identify transportation as the most important issue facing the community (38%). The two main transportation-related issues are “parking” (13%) and “traffic flow/congestion” (12%).
• Social issues sit in second (34%), led by concerns around “housing (availability/ affordability)” (24%) and “poverty/homelessness” (10%).
• Growth/development rounds out the top three (20%).

Town Services:

• Satisfaction with the overall level and quality of services provided by the Town is high (93% total satisfied).
• Satisfaction extends to the delivery of specific services. Of the 12 evaluated services, six receive an overall satisfaction rating higher than 90%, with the overall highest score going to fire services (99%, including 82% ‘very satisfied’).
• Another three services receive an overall satisfaction rating higher than 80%.
• In comparison, slightly fewer residents say they are satisfied with bylaw enforcement (76%) and land use and community planning (71%).
• The overall lowest satisfaction rating goes to traffic management and improving the flow of traffic, with only 58% of residents saying they are satisfied in this regard. All the evaluated services are important to residents. Importance ratings range from a high of 99% for maintenance of water, sewer, and storm drains to a low of 77% for library services.

Financial Planning:

• Perceptions of overall value for taxes are positive (86% total good value).
• Overall, residents say they would prefer the Town increase taxes (62%) than cut services (26%).

Communications and Customer Service:

• Residents are most interested in receiving information from the Town regarding “community planning/land use/new developments” (21% coded open-ends).
• “Email” is the preferred method of communication (46% coded open-ends).
• Of the evaluated communication channels, temporary Town of Sidney signs and posters are regarded by residents as the most useful for learning about municipal news and events (81% total useful).
• Other useful communication channels are Town website (www.sidney.ca) (77%), Town Talk newsletter (73%), and local news outlets (68%).
• Town of Sidney Facebook posts (42%) and Council meetings, agendas, and minutes (42%) rate lower.
• Nearly six-in-ten (59%) residents say they have personally contacted or dealt with the Town or one of its employees in the last 12 months. Among these residents, 85% say they are satisfied with the overall service received.

Perceptions of the Town of Sidney:

• Overall satisfaction with municipal governance and leadership is high, with 86% of residents saying they are satisfied with how the Town’s municipal government, including Council and staff as a whole, is running the community.
• Satisfaction is higher for staff (91%) than for Council (78%).
• Overall, attitudes toward the Town of Sidney are predominately positive, with minimal disagreement from residents on most evaluated statements. However, the proportion of residents who respond with ‘don’t know’ (ranging from 11% to 19%) suggests some lack of familiarity with the Town’s general municipal operations.
• 78% agree that the Town fosters a community that is inclusive and accepting of all.
• 71% agree that the Town is accountable to the community for leadership and good governance.
• 68% agree that the Town does the best it can with the money available.
• 67% agree that the Town practices open and accessible government.
• Perceptions of public engagement efforts are lower, with only 59% agreeing that the Town provides citizens with opportunities to have meaningful input into decision-making. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of residents disagree with this statement.