Top Concerns for Calgarians Ahead of Election Day: Infrastructure, Affordability, and Public Safety Prioritized

Calgary Voters Focus on Infrastructure, Safety, and Affordability in Upcoming Municipal Election

Key Issues Highlighted by Calgary Poll

Calgary residents are preparing to vote with a clear emphasis on infrastructure, public safety, and affordability, as shown by a recent survey conducted for Emegypt. Janet Brown, a Calgary-based pollster, conducted the survey of 1,000 residents between October 1 and 8, 2025, using the Trend Research Online Panel. The data mirrors the central topics of discussion among mayoral candidates.

Survey participants were asked to rate the importance of various city goals over the next four years on a scale from zero to ten. The poll reveals strong support for maintaining water and road infrastructure, addressing safety concerns downtown, and keeping residential property taxes low. The priority placed on Calgary’s water system reflects the impact of a major water main break earlier this year, notes Brown. Similarly, road maintenance and snow removal remain critical voter issues.

Infrastructure and Safety: Top Voter Concerns

Infrastructure and public safety are pressing issues for Calgary’s electorate. “Calgary always emphasizes responsible taxation and spending,” Brown explained on Emegypt’s Calgary Eyeopener. “But concerns around crime are increasing significantly.”

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a debate featuring prominent mayoral candidates: Brian Thiessen, Jeff Davison, Jeromy Farkas, Sonya Sharp, and incumbent Jyoti Gondek. These candidates lead the poll among decided and leaning voters, although 34% remain undecided.

Mayoral Candidates Address Infrastructure Challenges

At the debate, candidates shared their strategies for downtown safety and infrastructure issues:

• Jyoti Gondek argued that years of budget cuts are responsible for current infrastructure problems and claimed her council is reversing the trend by reinvesting in core services like water systems.
• Jeromy Farkas called for fixing aging infrastructure and focused on supporting local suppliers.
• Sonya Sharp advocated for a “fix-it-first” approach and proposed opening an infrastructure planning office to better manage construction impacts on businesses.
• Brian Thiessen suggested creating an independent water utility and implementing a “dig once” policy to minimize disruption to local businesses.
• Jeff Davison emphasized the need for the city to “build faster” by partnering with the private sector to ensure reliable water systems and road maintenance.

Controversial Rezoning Policy Divides Residents

The survey also gauged public opinion on a contentious blanket rezoning bylaw allowing townhomes and row houses in most residential areas without individual rezoning applications. Results show residents are divided:

Duane Bratt, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, noted the divided opinion on rezoning indicates candidates may consider reforming or repealing the policy. “With half the city’s voters split on this issue, it poses a significant challenge for those who support blanket rezoning,” Bratt stated.

The poll was conducted by Janet Brown Opinion Research for Emegypt, gathering responses via the Trend Research Online Panel. Quotas were set based on age, gender, and city quadrant, with minimal statistical weighting to align with Statistics Canada population data.