How optimistic are Calgarians for the new year?

With a recent Leger survey showing about a third of Canadians are optimistic about what’s to come in 2026, how do Calgarians feel?

Economic stress, global conflict and climate-related tragedies defined 2025, according to the survey, and many Canadians don’t think 2026 will be much better.

Thirty-seven per cent believe that it will remain the same, and about one-fifth think that 2026 will be worse.

When asked to pick words from a list that best describe 2025, 40 per cent of people chose “uncertain,” while 37 per cent said “turbulent” and 31 per cent said “exhausting.”

However, the survey also shows that around 35 per cent of Canadians are more optimistic about the new year.

So, how do Calgarians feel?

“It was a good year, I just think it was unpredictable. Lots of stuff happened, good and bad, but it’s been better than some years in the past,” said Calgarian Harlo Patrick

Another resident, Dipendra Situala, says, “I’d say 2025 is a mixed feeling. I’d call it a rollercoaster, to be honest with you. From the impact of the Trump tariffs to Canadians, I’d say the inflation is the number one thing I noticed.”

A key issue for many Canadians throughout this year was tension with the new US administration over the 51^st state taunts and trade talks affecting affordability.

“We saw some relief on affordability, but for a lot of Canadians, not a lot. It’s been unrelenting, and we see it at the grocery bills, and I think that’s been tough,” said executive vice-president of Leger Andrew Enns.

“In some parts of the country, including … in Calgary, housing affordability, we see that as being a real challenge.”

He says the younger demographic of 18-34 year olds report feeling more optimistic about the future, whereas older folks are more measured.

“I think that’s a little bit of that youthful hope. Maybe they are coming out of their university, they got some good hopes with respect to career, and I think they see the glass half full. At the other end of the age spectrum, those over 55, they are more measured,” Enns said.

One resident explains that while you learn and are more aware of what’s happening around you as you get older, you can still be optimistic rather than disconnected.

“I think obviously as you get older, you get wiser. You do get more measured, but I don’t think you need to get to the point where you just get fearful and overly cautious,” said Jack Pastuszko in Calgary.

“If you do that, then you’re blocking out possibility thinking, and if you’re doing that, then you’re dwindling hope. And I don’t think there’s any point in going on if you’ve got no hope.”

Barb Pastuszko says, “Right now, in this world, we need hope.”

The survey also showed that the mental health of Canadians has improved significantly since the pandemic years, with 86 per cent reporting positive mental health.

For the poll conducted online in December, while a third of those surveyed said that 2026 will be better than this year, 22 percent think it will be worse.