Public trust in Calgary city hall at 8-year high; 56% satisfaction with municipality
An Ipsos poll of 2,500 residents from August shows confidence in the city's future rebounding. Satisfaction with services hit its highest level since 2019, though half still question value for taxes.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public trust in the City of Calgary has reached its highest level in eight years, according to a semi-annual citizen satisfaction poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. The survey of 2,500 respondents, conducted by telephone (70 per cent cellphones, 30 per cent landlines) from August 4 to 28, showed 56 per cent trust in the municipality this year, up from last fall — the highest since 2018.
Other measures also improved. Satisfaction with municipal services rose to 73 per cent from 67 per cent last year, marking the highest level since 2019. Quality of life rated as "good" by around three-quarters of respondents, up from 71 per cent last year. Pride in being Calgarian exceeded more than four-fifths, showing improvement over the last two fall surveys and approaching 2020 levels. Dissatisfaction with the city fell to 16 per cent from 24 per cent.
Roughly 70 per cent said Calgary is a great place to make a living — a measure improved over fall 2025 and fall 2024.
Value for tax dollars showed gains but remained split. Forty-nine per cent said they receive good value for tax dollars, up from a lower level, while 51 per cent said they don't receive good value.
Around one-half of respondents said quality of life has worsened in the past three years, a return to levels last seen in 2022. Calgary outperforms comparable Canadian cities on quality of life, service satisfaction, trust in city hall, and value for tax dollars.
David Duckworth, the city's Chief Administrative Officer, said in a news release: "One of the clearest findings in this year's research is growing confidence in Calgary's future and in the City of Calgary as its municipal government. But greater confidence also comes with high expectations. Our responsibility is to turn that optimism into action and keep delivering for Calgarians as our city grows."
Results will be presented to council next week.
The facts
How many people were surveyed for this poll?
Ipsos Public Affairs surveyed 2,500 Calgary residents by telephone from August 4 to 28, with 70 per cent reached on cellphones and 30 per cent on landlines.
What percentage of Calgarians trust city hall?
56 per cent of respondents trust the City of Calgary, the highest level in eight years.
How satisfied are Calgarians with municipal services?
73 per cent of respondents are satisfied with municipal services, up from 67 per cent the previous year and the highest level since 2019.
Do most Calgarians think they get good value for their tax dollars?
49 per cent said they receive good value for tax dollars while 51 per cent said they do not, showing gains but remaining split.
