Calgary’s risk to reputation is growing and one city councillor said it’s actually a good thing it’s being recognized because now something can be done about it.

Calgary’s year-end corporate risk report for 2024 is coming to the city’s Audit Committee on Jan. 9, and there’s a shift in reputational risk at the City of Calgary from “likely” in the spring of 2024 to “almost certain” and “extensive” at year’s end.

It’s the only Principal Corporate Risk (PCR) to be in this area of the City of Calgary’s risk matrix.

The report cites a trust value of 41 per cent, according to the latest Fall Survey of Calgarians, and they said that perception of value is closely linked to trust. The report largely links the increase in reputational risk with Calgarians’ perception of value for tax dollars.

“This shift in perception suggests that Calgarians are expecting more from their municipal government, including addressing issues with respect to taxes, infrastructure, affordability, and the delivery of core services,” the report reads.

The risk profile looked at the internal and external top pressures, with political pressure being a key area for the city, according to the report.

It notes the implications of changing regulations and legislation, such as the change in the Local Access Fees on utility bills, and other policy changes from other orders of government.

“This pressure is exasperated by periods of heightened polarization within political discourse, which can result in The City experiencing increased strain on intergovernmental relations and community engagement,” the report read.

Cybersecurity is also noted as a significant pressure, with pressure from AI and cyber breaches, such as the one experienced by the Calgary Public Library last year.

Tough times change citizens’ perception

Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer, who chairs the city’s Audit Committee, said he was glad to see the risk assessment move in the latest corporate risk report.

“You can’t address a problem unless you agree that it is an issue, right?” Spencer told LiveWire Calgary.  

“So, I’m grateful that the city seems to be taking the reputation seriously. I know I have colleagues that would have preferred we… take it seriously sooner.”

Spencer said that the past few years have been challenging for Calgarians. Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and dealing with affordability issues, challenges with the Green Line, the Bearspaw water main, citywide rezoning and more. It’s a unique confluence of events.

“I’m not surprised it’s where it’s at, and it does speak to a need to not only get into long-form exercises to help explain the situation we’re in as a city and why we’ve made some of the decisions that we’ve made. It also speaks to probably taking steps forward more cautiously in the days to come and being receptive and responsive to trends that we’re seeing.”

Spencer said the dynamics at Calgary city council are also blended into how Calgarians view the City of Calgary’s reputation. Calgary city council favourability ratings are some of the lowest on record, according to the Fall citizen survey.

He said that the basic details of where the city’s at don’t change, whether that’s infrastructure, finances, or things like housing – which is a national issue.

“It’s always going to be a difficult path forward, and it’s made all the more difficult when politicians choose to try and divide on these issues, instead of get into long-form explanatory and explain how difficult these decisions are,” Coun. Spencer said.

The solutions aren’t easy, he said. These are never “straight-line conversations” with Calgarians. City council and city administration do have a role, he said.

“There’ll need to be less willingness to attack, and I hope what we’re seeing in this report is that the city is willing to admit that when reputation gets to a certain point, we basically need to slow down and try and get everybody, to some degree, on the same fence, and … talk about how everyone loses if we’re not honest and open and transparent, and we don’t speak from the same set of details,” Spencer said.

The risk report outlines several steps currently being taken and those that will be taken in the future. They include helping local businesses, improving communication with citizens, and advocating with the other orders of government.

“Administration will continue to focus on issues of greatest concern with Calgarians, particularly perceptions of infrastructure, affordable housing, public safety, and the delivery of core City services,” the report read.