Calgarians Speak: What’s Topping Our Priority List?
Hey Calgary, get ready for some good news! The City just dropped its Fall Survey results, and it looks like confidence is on the rise. A solid 71% of us now think life in Calgary is “good,” a nice jump from 66% last year. Our satisfaction with city services is also climbing, hitting 67%. Plus, trust in the City is gaining ground, with 47% feeling confident – that’s a six-point leap from last year.
But let’s be real, we’ve still got our top concerns. Infrastructure, traffic, roads, crime, safety, and policing remain high priorities, right alongside housing and transit. It’s no secret that Calgarians have been dealing with persistent infrastructure challenges, including traffic congestion that the City is trying to tackle with new tech like drones and AI to manage flows. The Sunnyside flood barrier project, for instance, has caused significant traffic disruptions on Memorial Drive this past summer, even as it nears completion. Crime and safety, especially downtown, has also been a major talking point, with Calgary Police launching initiatives like "Operation Order" this November to address social disorder and violent crime.
Housing affordability continues to squeeze many Calgarians, with rent and home prices rising despite efforts to increase housing starts. And on the transit front, Calgary Transit has been making adjustments, including the launch of MAX Green rapid transit and expanded On Demand service as of September 1, 2025, to keep pace with our growing city.
When it comes to our wallets, perceptions of tax value haven’t changed much, but here’s the kicker: half of us (50%) are open to tax increases if it means maintaining or improving services. This comes as the City's proposed 2026 budget, reviewed by City Council today, November 10, indicates a potential 5.4% property tax increase for residential properties. The survey, which gathered input from 2,500 locals between July 30 and August 28, 2025, shows that Calgarians are ready to invest in the city's future.
