Yellowknife (Apr 21/04) - Yellowknife residents are some of the most optimistic people in the world, according to a recent survey conducted by Ipsos-Ried.

The survey, which polled 800 residents in February, found that 67 per cent of Yellowknifers feel "much hope" for the future compared to 46 per cent nationally.

Ipsos-Reid asserts that the survey is accurate within 3.5 per cent.

Ipsos-Reid associate vice-president Peter Weylie, who presented the survey to city council Monday morning, said the survey company was astonished to discover that Yellowknifers were even more optimistic than Americans -- the most hopeful country in the world at 61 per cent.

"This is probably the most hopeful place we've ever surveyed," said Weylie. "Yellowknife is an extremely hopeful place."

The survey also found 94 per cent of those polled believe Yellowknife has a bright future. Ninety-two per cent said they were proud to live here, although 25 per cent strongly disagreed with the statement, "there is nowhere else I'd rather live than Yellowknife."

As for quality of life, 27 per cent said it was very good, while 67 per cent rated it as good. Only 16 per cent said it had worsened over the last three years, compared to 32 per cent who thought it had improved.

The survey group also gave City Hall high marks for running the city, although they were less pleased with the way the city manages development or preserving heritage landmarks.

Eighty-eight per cent said "city staff are courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable," while 75 per cent said city staff were easy to get a hold of, and provided a quality service.

But only 45 per cent of those polled thought the city was doing a good job planning city growth.

And even though 64 per cent said they're receiving good value for their tax dollars, 34 per cent said the city does a "poor" or "very poor" job.

Nonetheless more than a few in attendance were pleased with the report.

"It's always nice to hear good news," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem.