Concerning poll shows 91% avoid downtown Toronto

A new INsauga poll reveals just how deep the frustration with Toronto’s traffic has become. And it’s no longer just about longer commutes.

Out of 2,963 respondents, an overwhelming 91.3 percent said they actively avoid going to downtown Toronto because of traffic. Only 8.7 percent said they still make the trip despite the congestion.

This isn’t just a sign of inconvenience. It reflects a major shift in behaviour with potentially serious consequences for Toronto’s economy and cultural life.

More than a nuisance

Traffic has always been part of the Toronto experience, but this result shows that gridlock has moved beyond being a daily annoyance. It is now a deciding factor in where people go, how they spend, and how they engage with the city.

For many, traffic is no longer something to work around. It is something to avoid altogether. Whether the trip is for shopping, work, dining, or events, the majority of voters now feel that the hassle outweighs the benefit.

Why it matters

Downtown Toronto depends on people showing up. Office workers, tourists, and locals out for dinner or a concert help drive the economy. They support restaurants, small businesses, theatres, sports venues, and festivals.

If people start staying home or choosing suburban alternatives, the economic impact will be felt quickly and widely. Lower foot traffic means fewer sales, fewer jobs, and a slower recovery for businesses already strained by rising costs and changing habits.

The growing cost of congestion

Restaurants are still grappling with higher overhead and staffing challenges. Retailers continue to see inconsistent foot traffic post-pandemic. Large events and festivals might still draw interest, but many now come with complaints about how hard it is to get there and back.

When nine out of ten people say they are avoiding downtown, it signals a potential drop in spontaneous outings, fewer weekend plans, and reduced interest in everything the urban core has to offer.

In recent months, the city has made some small efforts to address the issue. Police officers have been stationed at key intersections to direct traffic, and signal timing has been adjusted in some areas. But these are short-term fixes at best. They are band-aid solutions on a much larger problem.

What is needed is coordinated action across all levels of government. Toronto’s traffic crisis will not be solved without serious investment in long-term infrastructure. That means building new transit lines, expanding road capacity where feasible, and accelerating major projects that have been stalled or delayed for years.

Even in the best-case scenario, where governments align on a strategy, have unlimited funding, and begin construction immediately, it would still take a decade or more to see the full results. And right now, none of those conditions exist.

Without bold, unified action and a clear roadmap for the future, the gridlock will only deepen, and so will the public’s frustration.

More than a poll result

This is not just a data point. It is a shift in public mindset.

If people stop feeling that downtown is accessible, they will stop going. And if that continues, Toronto risks losing the energy, vibrancy, and economic activity that make the city unique.

Gridlock may have once been accepted as the price of living in a major city. Today, it is becoming the reason people stay away.