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Growth and infrastructure topped the list of concerns in Airdrie’s 2025 municipal election, according to an online poll on the DiscoverAirdrie website.
The survey drew 247 votes over the past week and offered a snapshot of what residents said mattered most as the Oct. 20 vote approaches. Because participation was voluntary, the results are not statistically representative but give a sense of the issues on residents’ minds.
Of those who responded, 32.39 per cent picked growth and infrastructure — such as roads and traffic — as the city’s top issue.
Taxes and city spending followed with 22.27 per cent, while recreation and quality of life drew 14.98 per cent. Leadership and accountability received 12.55 per cent, city services 10.12 per cent, and 7.69 per cent chose “other.”
The city’s own 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey, presented to council in June, found similar concerns in a statistically valid random survey of 400 residents. Unlike the voluntary online poll, the city survey was based on a random sample and is considered representative of the wider population. Top issues were infrastructure and traffic (32 per cent), healthcare (28 per cent) and recreation amenities (26 per cent).
That survey also showed overall satisfaction with life in Airdrie had decreased, with the city’s index falling to 2.99 this year compared to 3.20 in 2023. Only 34 per cent rated value for taxes as good or very good.
Comments posted under DiscoverAirdrie’s Facebook post about the poll highlighted recurring themes.
Several residents called for more recreation facilities, including arenas, swimming pools and gyms, saying existing spaces were overbooked. Others pointed to the lack of community halls and public spaces for family events.
Growth was another common thread. Some urged council to pause or slow residential development until infrastructure could catch up, while others pressed for schools and childcare spaces to be built earlier in new neighbourhoods.
Traffic flow, road capacity and connections to Calgary were also raised, alongside complaints about car dependency, rail crossings and urban sprawl.
On finances, commenters were divided. Some called for lower residential property taxes, business tax reform or reduced licensing costs, while others pointed out Airdrie already has one of the lowest property tax rates in Alberta and that commercial properties are taxed at twice the residential rate.
Affordable housing also emerged as an issue, with suggestions ranging from capping the price of new builds to adjusting taxes on rental properties.
Several noted that hospitals and schools fall under provincial jurisdiction, but still tied them to the city’s rapid growth and planning challenges.
The City of Airdrie also posted a reminder earlier this month outlining which services fall under municipal, provincial and federal governments. Municipal duties include libraries, transit, snow removal, fire, parks and recreation, waste management, water, property taxes and local bylaws. Schools and health care fall under the province, while matters such as immigration, defence and the postal service are federal responsibilities.
Other concerns included support for small businesses, more dog parks, better transit, stronger traffic enforcement and closer work with CP Rail on rail crossings.
The election register is also filling up.
As of Sept. 21, the list of nominated mayoral candidates included Dave Douglass, Tina Petrow, Heather Spearman, Usman Mahmood and Dylan Harty.
Council candidates included Simisola Obasan, Tomisin (Tomi) Adenipekun, Chad Stewart, Darrell Belyk, Chris Glass, Rekha Mehay, Jay Raymundo, Maulik Shah, Anthony Morvillo, Craig Dansereau, Kristen Shima, Ron Chapman, Al Jones, Shaganpreet Singh Sooch, Karen Whittenbury, Tammy Yantz, Christopher Bakke, Inderjeet Kaur and Kathlene McCuaig. Councillor Candice Kolson had also filed papers.
Nomination Day closes at noon on Sept. 22. Election Day is set for Oct. 20, 2025.
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