Calgary Feels the Chill: Global Pessimism Echoes Local Affordability Fears

Global Anxieties Mirror Local Stress

A recent Ipsos survey for the Halifax International Security Forum reveals global optimism at a new low for 2025, a sentiment keenly felt in Calgary. While fear stabilizes globally, the HFX-Ipsos Threat Index indicates concerns over disinformation and hacking remain top threats for the second consecutive year, with approximately 77% viewing deliberate disinformation as a real danger. This global unease, where a consistent 79% believe the world became more dangerous, resonates deeply with Calgarians facing their own significant pressures.

Calgary's Affordability Crisis Deepens

Rapid population growth continues to strain Calgary's resources. Despite record housing starts in 2024 and 2025, the city remains critically short of affordable homes, with over 84,000 residents in need – a figure projected to exceed 100,000 by 2026. This imbalance fuels rising rent and housing prices, alongside an unemployment rate hovering around 7-7.5 percent in 2025-2026, creating a significant "labour mismatch" and deepening local anxieties over financial stability.

Taxes and Trust: Budget Woes

Compounding these issues, Calgary City Council began deliberations on a proposed 2026 budget which includes a 3.6 percent overall property tax increase, translating to an average 5.4 percent hike for residential properties. New Mayor Jeromy Farkas, who took office in October 2025, has publicly committed to addressing affordability and vowed to cut the proposed residential property tax increase in half. While globally only 47% express confidence in their government's ability to respond to cyberattacks, Calgarians similarly scrutinize local authority responses to economic threats and affordability, underscoring the pervasive low optimism reflected in the global survey.