A paradox of civic sentiment has emerged in Calgary, where residents maintain a strong affection for their city despite growing skepticism about municipal leadership. The recently released 2024 Quality of Life Survey paints a nuanced picture of a community that remains proud of its foundations while questioning the decisions being made at city hall.
According to the comprehensive survey conducted by Stone-Olafson for Calgary Economic Development, an impressive 83 percent of Calgarians report being satisfied with their quality of life. This figure represents a slight increase from last year’s 80 percent, suggesting resilience in civic pride despite economic fluctuations and municipal challenges.
“Calgarians continue to demonstrate remarkable attachment to their city,” said Brad Parry, president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. “The foundations of what makes Calgary special—our parks, pathways, and strong sense of community—remain deeply valued by residents across demographic groups.”
The survey reveals particularly strong satisfaction among newcomers to the city, with 87 percent of those who arrived within the past two years expressing contentment with their quality of life. This positive reception among new residents could prove crucial as Calgary positions itself as a destination for talent and investment in an increasingly competitive landscape.
However, beneath this overarching positivity lies a troubling undercurrent of dissatisfaction with municipal governance. Only 41 percent of respondents expressed confidence in city council’s decision-making—a stark 12-point drop from the previous year. This declining trust in local government stands in sharp contrast to the otherwise positive sentiment about life in Calgary.
Property taxes emerged as a particular flashpoint, with 64 percent of respondents indicating they feel they’re not getting good value for their tax dollars. This represents a significant deterioration from last year, when 54 percent expressed the same concern. The survey was conducted in February, notably before council approved a substantial 9.8 percent property tax increase for 2024.
“The disconnect between overall satisfaction and views of municipal leadership presents a clear challenge for city council,” noted Matthew Stone, principal researcher at Stone-Olafson. “Calgarians love their city but increasingly question whether those making decisions at city hall are aligned with their priorities.”
The survey identified several areas of growing concern among residents. Housing affordability ranked high among worries, with 65 percent of respondents citing it as a significant issue—up from 58 percent in 2023. Public safety concerns also saw an uptick, with 42 percent expressing worries about crime and safety compared to 37 percent last year.
These concerns appear to be dampening optimism about Calgary’s future trajectory. While 63 percent of residents believe the city is headed in the right direction, this represents a decline from the 69 percent who held this view in 2023.
Despite these challenges, several bright spots emerged in the findings. Calgary’s natural environment and recreational opportunities continue to receive high marks, with 78 percent of residents expressing satisfaction with parks and public spaces. Additionally, 72 percent of respondents felt positively about the city’s economic prospects—a testament to Calgary’s ongoing economic diversification efforts.
“What we’re seeing is a city at a crossroads,” said urban policy expert Dr. Maya Richardson, who was not involved in the survey but reviewed its findings. “Calgarians clearly value the fundamental qualities that make this city special, but they’re increasingly questioning whether current leadership is making decisions that will preserve and enhance these qualities for future generations.”
As Calgary continues to navigate post-pandemic recovery and economic transformation, the survey results suggest city leaders face a pressing need to rebuild trust with residents while addressing mounting concerns about affordability, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.
The question now facing both citizens and civic leaders is whether Calgary can maintain its enviable quality of life while addressing the governance challenges that threaten to undermine public confidence in the city’s future direction. Can municipal leadership bridge the growing gap between residents’ love for their city and their skepticism about those guiding its development?
