Toronto residents think the city’s $957-million police budget is a top candidate for cuts, according to a new study of voter attitudes across the region.

And those with an opinion on where to make cuts are more likely to pick policing than residents of other GTA cities.

A survey conducted by York University researchers and exclusive to the Star found that 25 per cent of Torontonians, asked where budget cuts should be made if necessary, chose policing.

Just 14 per cent of residents in other GTA cities said the same.

The study was led by Lesley Jacobs, director for York’s Institute for Social Research, and David Northrup, director of survey research.

Toronto Police Association president Mike McCormack said the union’s own polling numbers tell a different story, and argued that the public looks favorably on the services provided for the money spent.

“I think a lot of people understand the complexities of policing,” McCormack said.

He said the issue of how much the city spends on policing and how much officers are paid has become higher profile in Toronto in recent years.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a healthy debate,” he said. “My concern again is the taxpayers get a good deal.”

Any new mayor faces a challenge when it comes to dramatic budget cuts, as much of the police money goes to salaries, which are subject to collective agreements.

Though it has not been the focus of rigorous debate, top candidates have touched on policing during the campaign. Olivia Chow has argued in favour of cuts, via a process that would include a review of paid-duty and shift schedules. Tory recently said all emergency services budgets need to be constrained, but has argued that the current complement of police officers needs to be maintained. Since entering the race, Doug Ford (open Doug Ford's poilcard) has said only that he supports frontline officers, but has not discussed the budget.

A 3.1 per cent police budget increase went unchallenged by both Fords at council this January, despite the fact the crime rate is decreasing.

The study, led by Lesley Jacobs, the director for York’s Institute for Social Research and David Northrup, the director of survey research, also confirmed that Toronto residents are less satisfied with their mayor than people living in other GTA cities.

The survey, which polled 613 residents across the GTA, found an average of 55 per cent of people in surrounding municipalities feel their mayor is doing a good or very good job. But only 28 per cent of Toronto residents feel that way about Rob Ford (open Rob Ford's poilcard).

“The most interesting, sort of telling, data was in terms of satisfaction with the local politician,” said Jacobs, adding the views on Ford’s performance aligns with the level of support both he and Doug Ford have seen in recent polls.

Despite differing views on mayoral records, participants across the GTA said the way votes are tallied should be changed.

In Toronto, 53 per cent agree that the first-past-the-post system should be scrapped and replaced with a system that requires the winner of a mayoral election to have a majority of the vote.

A large majority, 79 per cent of respondents, also believe Ontario needs a recall system, whereby it’s possible to remove an elected mayor before the end of the term. Despite dissatisfaction with Ford, that sentiment is stronger in the regions outside the city than in Toronto itself.

As for councillors, the survey found most residents agreed they were doing a good job and performed just as well as federal politicians.

Researchers also found many people said they were willing to see taxes rise if it meant better services.

In Toronto, nearly a third of respondents are willing to contribute to a property tax hike, while less than 1 in 10 in the other municipalities felt the same way.

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People in Toronto were more likely to say public transit and road work are priorities than in other cities. When all responses were considered, the largest number of people, 53 per cent, said they would support increased spending for seniors’ facilities.

To the surprise of researchers, 49 per cent of all respondents say they support user fees for services. They also support toll roads for the same purpose, with 47 per cent saying they would back them. However, that support is highest in Toronto, where residents are more likely to benefit from those funds.

Torontonians in the survey who favoured cutting cash to police might just want the city to spend it elsewhere; a majority said the current balance between taxes and services is about right. Very few — only 10 per cent — said they would like to see property taxes cut.

The study surveyed 613 respondents, 40 per cent from Toronto and 60 per cent from the rest of the GTA. They were interviewed over four weeks. The survey has an error rate of 4 per cent.