December 6, 2000 For Immediate Release

Researchers at the University of Northern British Columbia's Institute for Social Research and Evaluation are conducting a survey in the City, designed to gauge public reaction to City Hall's vision for the future.

Nearly a year ago, City Council identified its priorities in a document that would come to be called The Vision - 2000 and Beyond. The report identified eight areas of priority for the City:

· Marketing of Prince George
· Encouraging Growth & Development
· Improving Infrastructure
· Transportation
· Implementing Effective Corporate Processes
· Rejuvenating the Downtown
· Improving Safety & Security
· Growing Civic Pride

The UNBC survey includes about 20 questions about the Vision document, as well as questions that will measure how much the citizens would like to be consulted on budgets and the current issues before City Council (such as the trail system, "big box" retail outlets, the golf course, etc). There are also questions concerning health and quality of life that will provide comparisons with other communities throughout North America.

Those who have been sent the survey have until Christmas to complete it and return it to the University for analysis.

The UNBC Institute for Social Research and Evaluation has previously conducted surveys on health care, seniors, recreation, crime, and general quality of life.