Residents in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland are showing increased confidence in regional air quality and emergency management, according to results from the 2024 Public Perception Survey conducted by Life in the Heartland. The survey, conducted in partnership with the Heartland Air Monitoring Partnership (HAMP) and Northeast Region Community Awareness Response (NRCAER), gathered feedback from 400 local residents on key issues facing the region.
For the first time, road conditions emerged as the top regional concern, with 10% of respondents identifying it as their primary issue. Concerns about air quality, a historically significant issue in the area, dropped by 6% from previous years, signalling improved public confidence in air management efforts. Inflation concerns also declined by 3% from 2022, showing a broader shift in regional priorities.
When asked about industrial development concerns, residents highlighted traffic (9%) and air quality (7%) as key issues. However, mentions of air quality and land use concerns dropped by 14% and 5% respectively, further reinforcing positive trends in public perception. Pollution concerns increased slightly to 5%, but overall, confidence in regional environmental management remained strong.
Residents expressed the most confidence in regional safety and emergency response, with 57% rating these efforts as excellent or good. Water quality management earned a 53% approval rating, while industrial noise (49%), air quality (47%), and industrial light (44%) also received positive assessments.
These findings are expected to guide future initiatives aimed at addressing public concerns while supporting ongoing improvements in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
