Since launching his city councillor campaign, John Pantazopoulos has been asking Calgarians a simple question: what matters most to you? Many Ward 6 residents took the time to respond, sharing their priorities, frustrations and hopes for the future of our city in an online survey on John4Ward6.ca.
In total, 1,229 people completed the survey, giving a strong snapshot of what families across Ward 6 are thinking.
When asked about their top concerns, three themes stood out above the rest: property taxes, road and infrastructure maintenance and community safety. Together, these three accounted for nearly three-quarters of all responses.
“These results make it clear: people in Ward 6 are feeling the squeeze from rising property taxes while seeing core services strained,” Pantazopoulos said. “Families want safer streets, a focus on spending and more thoughtful planning.”
Residents often used their written comments to expand on these priorities. Many called for stronger action on crime prevention, particularly around transit stations and downtown Calgary. Others expressed frustration about potholes, aging infrastructure, and the pace of road repairs. Small business owners noted how property taxes and red tape are making it harder to stay competitive.
Performance of City Council
The survey also asked residents how they would rate the performance of the current City Council. The results were stark: more than three-quarters gave a failing grade.
- Very Poor: 53%,
- Poor: 26%,
- Good: 9%,
- Neutral: 9%,
- Excellent: 3%. .
Survey participants shared stories of feeling unheard at City Hall, with some noting that public consultations seem rushed or predetermined. Others worried that City Council has lost sight of everyday concerns while focusing too heavily on costly megaprojects.
Rezoning Concerns
The City’s blanket rezoning policy was another lightning rod.
Nearly nine in ten respondents opposed the approach, with 74% strongly disagreeing. Many argued that rezoning decisions should be based on neighbourhood character and resident input, not imposed citywide.
- Strongly Disagree: 74%,
- Somewhat Disagree: 12%,
- Strongly Agree: 8%,
- Somewhat Agree: 4%,
- Neutral: 2%.
“This confirms what I’ve been hearing at the doors and what I have been saying for months prior to the election: blanket rezoning doesn’t reflect the character of our neighbourhoods,” said Pantazopoulos. “I will continue to push for thoughtful, community-driven development.”
Most residents said they are not against growth, but they want it to be done in a way that respects the scale of their communities, protects green space, and ensures infrastructure keeps up.
Taxes and Services
On the question of whether Calgarians would accept higher taxes for more services, a majority opposed the idea.
- Strongly Disagree: 36%,
- Somewhat Disagree: 20%
- Neutral: 18%
- Somewhat Agree: 20%
- Strongly Agree: 6%.
“People want the City to live within its means. We can deliver strong services without hiking taxes every year,” Pantazopoulos said.
Listening and Taking Action
The survey also included dozens of personal comments and suggestions — from speeding concerns on Stoney Trail to calls for better recreation planning. Pantazopoulos pledged to continue listening to residents and incorporating their voices into his campaign for Calgary City Council.
About John Pantazopoulos
John Pantazopoulos is running for Calgary City Council in Ward 6 on a platform of smart spending, thoughtful development, and safer streets. John is a former investment banker and energy company CEO with a proven track record of leadership.
