Trust in Calgary's municipal government has reached its highest level since 2018, according to results from the City's latest survey of residents.
The 2026 Fall Survey of Calgarians found 56 per cent of respondents said they trust the City of Calgary, compared with 47 per cent in fall 2025. That is an increase of nine percentage points. The proportion expressing distrust declined from 24 per cent to 16 per cent.
The City released the results on Thursday, October 22, ahead of a presentation scheduled for City Council on October 27. The findings are based on responses collected in August, rather than a survey conducted after the October municipal and provincial news developments.
Quality of life and service ratings also improve
The survey found 77 per cent of respondents rated their quality of life in Calgary as good, compared with 71 per cent a year earlier. Satisfaction with City services climbed to 73 per cent from 67 per cent in fall 2025, its highest level since 2019.
Asked about the value they receive for municipal tax dollars, 49 per cent gave a positive rating, up from 42 per cent in 2025. That measure remains below half of respondents even as the overall result improved.
Chief administrative officer David Duckworth said the results suggest increased public confidence, while noting that Calgarians expect improvements as the city grows. The results measure reported views of residents and do not independently establish that municipal services have improved.
Traffic, safety and affordability remain concerns
Traffic and roads were the most frequently identified municipal priority, mentioned by 36 per cent of respondents. Crime, safety and policing followed at 23 per cent, with homelessness, poverty and affordable housing at 18 per cent and public transit at 15 per cent.
The City also reported increasing mentions of pedestrian safety, water infrastructure and aggressive driving compared with earlier surveys. Some 82 per cent agreed that now is a good time to invest in projects such as roads, public transportation and local facilities.
These findings show an improvement in perceptions of City government alongside continuing demands for infrastructure, safety and services. A higher trust score does not mean all respondents are satisfied or share the same priorities.
How the survey was conducted
Ipsos Public Affairs interviewed 2,500 Calgarians by telephone between August 4 and August 28, 2026, on behalf of the City. The sample used 70 per cent cellphone numbers and 30 per cent landlines and was designed to represent the city's adult population.
The City reports a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points, 19 times out of 20. As with other public-opinion surveys, the results are estimates rather than a count of every resident.
The full fall survey and related research are available through the City's research portal. Council is scheduled to receive the results on October 27.