If the call display on your ringing telephone or cell phone shows Ipsos Reid over the next few weeks, answer it.
The research firm has been contracted by the Town of Banff to conduct a random telephone resident satisfaction survey, starting Saturday, October 26. The survey, which is conducted every election year, enables residents to rank their satisfaction with various municipal services and state their preference on key budgetary matters, offering another opportunity for the community to help shape the priorities of the new Council.
The Town moved to random sampling this year to improve the accuracy and reliability of the results. Ipsos Reid will call both land lines and cell phones to ensure all the community’s demographics are represented. Statistics show that cellular phones are the sole telephone used in a growing number of Canadian households, particularly among the 18 to 34 year olds. The cost of cellular calls will be reimbursed. The sample size of 300 provides an accuracy level of plus/minus 5.6 per cent, or 19 times out of 20.
An online version of the survey will be available at the same time for residents who want to provide feedback but are not selected for a telephone survey through the random sample process. The online survey can be accessed through the Town’s website, at www.banff.ca/surveys, also starting October 26.
Ipsos Reid will hold a Community Conversation after the survey with some of the telephone respondents to discuss the results of the survey and delve further into any emerging issues.
In the last resident satisfaction survey, held in October 2010, 94 per cent of respondents rated their quality of life as good or very good, and 87 per cent rated the quality of service overall by the Town as good or very good.
The survey period will run from October 26 through November 10. Results will be presented to the new Council in December.