Trust, satisfaction in Calgary government up year-over-year: survey

Trust in the Calgary’s municipal government is improving, according to new survey data from the city.

The 2025 spring research results summary was presented to council Tuesday, highlighting positive indicators which show Calgarians are generally pleased with their quality of life.

Just over half of those surveyed said they have trust in the local government, up from 41 per cent last year .

Sixty per cent say they can count on the city to do what it says it will do, and 55 per cent say Calgary’s government focuses on issues that are important to them, driving an overall feeling of trust.

Nearly three-quarters of participants say they have a good quality of life in Calgary, pushed forward by a perceived value of municipal property tax dollars, satisfaction with city services and programs, perception of overall safety.

The priority on the top of the list for Calgarians is infrastructure, traffic and roads, which increased four per cent year-over-year. Homelessness, poverty, and affordable housing, and crime, safety, and policing are also high on the issues list for residents.

Calgarians are feeling more optimistic about the economy, despite uncertainty around U.S. tariffs and the state of the economy in general. Sixty-one per cent of respondents rate the current economy in Calgary as “good” — an 11-point increase from Q4 in 2024.

Almost 75 per cent of survey participants say they are concerned about the impact of U.S. tariffs on their personal financial situation.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the increased confidence in the city is a direct reflection of the work done by council.

“We’ve made real progress in a difficult year,” she said. “But the work is not finished and now is not the time for complacency.”