QUALITY OF LIFE
The city’s richest and poorest people are the happiest and saddest they’ve ever been, respectively.
People living in Saskatoon’s higher-end neighbourhoods are extremely happy with the city’s progress. Those who live in poorer areas don’t have such a rosy outlook.
Research conducted last year by the Community University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) found 91 per cent of people living in wealthier areas feel that things in the city are going in the right direction. On the other hand, only 69 per cent of people from low-income neighbourhoods agreed with that statement.
The research was presented Thursday at the Quality of Life Conference, where academics and community organizers present findings and discuss ways to improve the quality of life in Saskatoon. The study surveyed 1,000 Saskatoon residents.
“With this research we are taking a pulse of the city, not giving a detailed diagnosis,” said Nazeem Muhajarine, academic co-director of CUISR and a professor of health and epidemiology.
The study showed enduring disparities between income in the richer and poorer neighbourhoods. The average income in richer areas is about 2.5 times higher than in lower income neighbourhoods.
Researchers also looked at where people think money should be spent to improve quality of life. In 2013, the top choice was roads, followed by traffic conditions, health services and schools. Housing was the eighth most popular choice, and safety from violent crime ranked as the lowest spending priority, coming in 10th place.
Most respondents said the money should come from a corporate tax hike; 84 per cent said they approve of that funding option.
Satisfaction with Saskatoon schools also varied by neighbourhood. Sixty per cent of people living in highincome neighbourhoods said the condition of schools is excellent or very good, whereas only 39 per cent of people living in low-income neighbourhoods said the same.
Similar patterns were found in satisfaction with safety, recreation programs and self-rated health.
“The perception is that even at the most basic level, achieving quality of life has a real price tag and income inequality is a barrier,” Muhajarine said.