The City of Calgary conducted a survey that revealed a growing dissatisfaction among Calgarians with city services and the value they receive for their tax dollars. The survey found that only 63 percent of Calgarians are satisfied with city services, a decline of six percent from the previous year. Additionally, just 42 percent of residents are satisfied with how things are going in the city, a drop of 12 percent since 2023. Positive perceptions about how the city is run have also decreased by 14 percent, with only 43 percent of respondents expressing satisfaction.
Infrastructure, traffic, and roads were identified as the top priority by 35 percent of respondents, followed by the economy at 18 percent, and homelessness and poverty at 17 percent. Water supply and infrastructure, as well as zoning and growth, were also considered important by 13 percent of residents. Public safety, transit, and housing were listed as top priorities but saw declines in issue prioritization since the city’s spring survey. The city’s chief administrative officer, David Duckworth, stated that the city is focused on addressing these priorities and feedback from the survey results.
The upcoming budget deliberations in November will be informed by the bi-annual survey results, which will be presented to city council. Mayor Jyoti Gondek emphasized the importance of understanding what matters most to Calgarians ahead of these budget talks. The survey results indicated a divide among residents regarding property taxes, with 46 percent in favor of increasing taxes and 45 percent preferring them to remain the same or be cut. The next budget adjustment will be the final one before the next election, signaling an important period for city council to address the growing dissatisfaction among residents.
Sixty-six percent of Calgarians believe their quality of life is good, a 10-point drop from the previous year’s survey. The perception of Calgary as a great place to make a life also decreased by five percent to 70 percent. While nearly six in 10 residents are optimistic about the economy, the number of those who believe Calgary is on the right track to become a better city in 10 years has declined to 61 percent. The survey also revealed that trust in the city has decreased to 41 percent, reflecting a cultural shift in the local data.
City officials acknowledged that many residents are facing tough times, leading to increased expectations for the government to do more. The survey, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, gathered responses from 2,500 Calgarians over the phone and had a margin of error of ± 2.0 percentage points. The survey results will be presented to city council to help inform budget decisions and address concerns raised by residents. Experts suggest that the upcoming budget adjustment will be crucial for city council to address the growing dissatisfaction among Calgarians before the next election.
