From August 22 to 25, 2025, we surveyed Calgarians on the direction of their city and the upcoming municipal elections.
Highlights include…
Perceived Direction of Calgary
- Nearly six-in-ten (57%) believe Calgary is on the wrong track, while one-third (33%) believe it is headed in the right direction.
- Those aged 55+ are more likely to believe Calgary is on the wrong track (68%)
Mayoral Election Voting Likelihood:
- 56% report they will ‘definitely’ vote, while a further 19% are ‘very likely’ to vote, for a total of 75% likely voters.
- Men (81%) and those aged 55+ (87%) are more likely to report they are likely to vote in the upcoming election.
- Those aged 55+ (73%) and those with incomes of $100k+ (70%) are more likely to report they will ‘definitely’ vote.
Mayoral Voting Intention:
- Voting intention among Calgary residents is divided: Gondek leads with 15% and is closely followed by Farkas with 14%. Sharp (8%), Davison (6%), and Thiessen (3%) round out the top 5 candidates.
- 45% of residents report that they are unsure or undecided regarding their voting intentions, including 41% of likely voters.
Awareness of Mayoral Candidates:
- Gondek leads in awareness with 74% and is followed by Farkas with 60%. Sharp (43%), Davison (41%), and Thiessen (22%) round out the top 5 candidates.
Mayoral Candidate Approval
- Among residents aware of each candidate; Farkas leads in approval with 49% and is closely followed by Sharp (48%) and Davison (47%). Residents are less positive regarding Gondek (37%) and Thiessen (27%).
Top Voting Issues
- Lowering taxes (43%), reducing spending and fiscal restraint (25%), and reducing poverty (23%) are the top issues cited by Calgary residents as important heading into the upcoming mayoral election.
Perceptions of Increased Density and Downtown Revitalization
- Just over half of residents (53%) support requiring more infill and redevelopment to help manage housing demand and growth, and a similar proportion (53%) support limiting property tax increases by reducing or limiting City services. Nearly two-thirds (63%) support increased investment by The City in downtown revitalization projects such as residential conversions.
Methodology
The results for this wave of research are based on online research conducted from August 22 to August 25, 2025 with a representative sample of 471 Calgarian adults 18 years of age and older from Leger’s LEO panel.
Results were weighted according to age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian population.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey, but for comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±4.5%, (19 times out of 20) for the sample.
