A significant portion of residents in Calgary and Edmonton are expressing discontent with the rapid population growth in Alberta, despite the province exceeding a population of five million as of July 1, according to recent data from Statistics Canada. The provincial government anticipates a further increase of around two million people over the next 25 years.
In surveys conducted by Janet Brown Opinion Research for CBC News, 1,000 residents in each city were asked to assess the current rate of population growth. The majority of respondents in both Calgary and Edmonton indicated that they believe their city is expanding too quickly.
In Calgary, 64% of participants stated that the city’s growth is too fast, while in Edmonton, 62% shared the same sentiment. Concerns about the impact of recent population growth were also raised, with 51% of Calgary residents labeling it as negative, compared to 56% in Edmonton.
According to Janet Brown, individuals aged 25 to 45, particularly those facing financial challenges and educational limitations, are more likely to be troubled by the rapid growth trends. The effects of this growth were highlighted by residents such as Pearl Parchem, who expressed frustrations with overcrowding affecting access to health services, and Marrisa Atkinson, who noted difficulties in booking recreational activities due to the overwhelming population.
The ongoing municipal campaigns in both cities have also emphasized the challenges posed by rapid growth, with candidates addressing issues such as infrastructure, housing, and affordability. Concerns about growth have influenced voter preferences, with Brown identifying a correlation between right-leaning individuals and their apprehensions about growth. The impact of these sentiments on candidate support and voter decisions remains uncertain as the election approaches.
CBC News commissioned the surveys, which targeted 1,000 residents in each city and were conducted from October 1 to 8 through the Trend Research Online Panel. The data was adjusted to reflect age, gender, and city quadrant demographics, with a comparable margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points.