Calgarians report high quality of life as roads, safety remain top priorities in 2026 survey

Calgary: Residents in Calgary continue to report a strong quality of life and steady satisfaction with municipal services, according to the city’s 2026 Spring Survey results released ahead of a presentation to the Executive Committee on May 5.

The findings highlight consistent public sentiment, with roads, traffic, and safety remaining the most pressing concerns for Calgarians despite overall positive perceptions of city living.

High quality of life and steady optimism

More than three-quarters of respondents rated their overall quality of life as good, reflecting a sustained upward trend over the past two years. The city also scored strongly on livability, with a majority of residents describing Calgary as a great place to live, work, and build a future.

While global economic uncertainty continues to influence perceptions, many residents expressed cautious optimism about the city’s long-term direction. A majority believe Calgary is on the right track over the next decade, even as expectations for continued improvement remain high.

Roads, traffic and safety dominate concerns

When asked about key priorities for local leadership, infrastructure and safety issues topped the list:

• 39% identified roads and traffic as their primary concern
• 21% cited crime, safety, and policing
• 15% pointed to growth and urban planning
• 14% highlighted transit issues
• 11% mentioned homelessness and affordable housing

These priorities remain largely unchanged from previous surveys, underlining persistent pressure on transportation systems and public safety services.

Strong performance compared to other cities

Calgary continues to outperform other major Canadian cities—including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Montreal—in several key areas.

The survey found:

• Quality of life ratings are about 10% higher than the national municipal average
• Satisfaction with city services exceeds benchmarks by 5%
• Trust in municipal government is more than 10% above comparable cities

Officials say these results reflect ongoing efforts to align services with public expectations.

Service satisfaction remains stable

Overall satisfaction with city services stands at 62%, with only a small portion of residents expressing dissatisfaction. The survey indicates that most Calgarians find services accessible, reliable, and helpful in supporting daily life.

However, time-related performance—such as response speed and issue resolution—remains an area for improvement, with residents expressing higher expectations in these areas.

Balancing taxes and services

Public opinion on taxation reflects a growing willingness to maintain service levels:

• 57% support tax increases to sustain current services
• 37% prefer reducing services to avoid higher taxes

Most residents favor moderate, inflation-level increases rather than significant tax hikes.

Trust and accountability

Trust in municipal government remains relatively strong, with over half of respondents expressing confidence in the city’s leadership. Similarly, perceptions of value for tax dollars remain above national averages.

City officials say ongoing research and surveys are critical tools for transparency, helping guide policy decisions and improve service delivery.

Courtesy: The City of Calgary Newsroom