The number of Calgary residents saying their quality of life has worsened in the past three years has reached a “historic high,” according to a recently published survey.
Sixty-two percent of the 2,501 city residents who participated in the City of Calgary’s annual spring poll say the quality of life has declined in Alberta’s largest metropolis since 2021, a 13 percent increase over last spring.
While 71 percent of the residents polled said their quality of life is “good,” the figures are “significantly lower” than the ratings the city received in both the fall and spring of last year. The quality-of-life rating has dipped seven points from last spring and is five points lower than last fall, the report found.
Calgary residents were largely dissatisfied with the city’s plans for the future, with only 38 percent saying it is moving in the right direction to ensure a higher quality of life for future generations; a marked decrease from 51 percent in spring 2023.
Also down was the number of respondents who say Calgary is on the right track to become a better city in the next 10 years. Only 65 percent of those polled in the spring survey felt this way compared to 77 percent last spring and 70 percent last fall.
“Trust in the City has hit an all-time low,” the report noted, adding that only 38 percent say they have “some degree of trust,” down 10 percent from last spring.
“This decline is echoed in satisfaction with City leadership and performance. Ratings for the City of Calgary as a whole and city administration both dropped in fall 2023 and remain at lower levels, while satisfaction with council has eroded even further since fall 2023.”
While 69 percent of those polled said Calgary is a great place to make a life, that is a decrease from the 75 percent rating garnered last fall.The number who say it’s a great place to make a living has also dipped substantially from last fall’s 77 percent rating to settle at 63 percent this spring.
Perceived value for taxes also hit an all-time low, with only 44 percent of those polled saying they receive good value for their taxes. Meanwhile, 63 percent said they are satisfied with municipal services and programs.
“Perceptions of the value received from property taxes have declined in spring 2024,” the report said. “More than two-fifths of Calgarians rate the value they get from their municipal property tax dollars as ‘good,’ down significantly from 50 percent in fall 2023 and 52 percent in spring 2023. This also marks the lowest level recorded for this measure across historical data.”
Public perception that the city “strives to create an equally accessible city for all” has also dipped with only 54 percent of respondents agreeing with that statement compared to 60 percent last spring.
Survey Identifies Top Concerns
Infrastructure, traffic, and roads are the top concerns for Calgarians, with 29 percent of those surveyed saying the city needs to address them. Homelessness, poverty, and affordable housing were next on the list, with 24 percent identifying those needs as a top issue.Crime and safety is in the No. 3 spot at 22 percent while 17 percent said transit was their top concern. Rounding out the top five issues was the economy, with 16 percent saying it should be council’s top priority.
“Other issues like taxes, recreation and parks, and growth and planning have seen increases in mentions compared to fall 2023 but remain lower priorities overall,” the report added.
Participants identified affordable housing, public transit, social services, 9-1-1 services, and Calgary Fire Department services as the city programs and services that council should make a top financial priority.
The Spring Research Results survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs between Feb. 27 and March 26.
