A recent Leger poll conducted in Calgary found that 55% of the 451 Calgarians surveyed believe the city is on the wrong track, while 37% think it is headed in the right direction. The top issues cited by the respondents were housing prices and affordability, property taxes, and the economy. When it comes to Mayor Jyoti Gondek’s handling of these issues, 37% gave her a low score, 50% a mid-range score, and only 14% said they were satisfied with her performance. The majority of survey respondents believed Gondek has done a “bad job” addressing Calgary’s issues, except for alternative transportation such as bike lanes and walking paths.
The Leger report also revealed that only 24% of those surveyed voted for Gondek in the 2021 Municipal Election, and if a municipal election were held tomorrow, only 11% of those voters would vote for her again while 54% said they would vote for someone else. Additionally, 77% of respondents were aware of the recall petition against Gondek that was submitted to Elections Calgary, with 58% saying they were informed about the campaign. However, only 47% of respondents supported the campaign, while 32% opposed it. Only 29% of Calgarians who responded to the survey had signed or intended to sign the recall petition.
In terms of the eligibility to sign the recall petition, 42% of respondents agreed with the statement that if you did not vote in the last municipal election, you should not be able to sign the petition. Thirty-two percent disagreed with the statement, while 14% neither agreed nor disagreed. The online poll conducted by Leger surveyed Calgary residents aged 18 or older, with a probability sample size of 451 and a margin of error of no greater than 4.61%. The results were weighted according to age, gender, and education to ensure a representative sample of the Calgary population.
Overall, the survey results indicate a significant dissatisfaction among Calgarians with the current direction of the city and Mayor Gondek’s handling of various issues. The recall petition against Gondek has garnered attention from a majority of respondents, with mixed levels of support for the campaign. The survey also sheds light on differing opinions regarding the eligibility criteria for signing the petition, with a notable percentage agreeing that those who did not vote in the last municipal election should not be able to participate. The findings provide valuable insights into the sentiments and attitudes of Calgary residents towards their city’s leadership and key challenges.
