Why Measuring Matters?

As Calgary faces the worst economic crisis of a generation, critical decisions are required at the individual, organizational, municipal and regional levels. Young people, families, and retirees ask, “Do we stay in Calgary?”

The idea of measuring what matters is not new. In fact, for decades, governments, academics, and social organizations have developed models to measure community prosperity, well-being, and quality of life. There are outstanding international, national, regional, and local examples, from the World Happiness Report and OECD’s Better Life Index to local initiatives like the Calgary Equity Index, Sustainable Calgary’s State of Our City Report, and Calgary Foundation’s Vital Signs. We want to build on and help amplify this exceptional work.

The Measuring What Matters Project

In 2021, the CityXLab at Mount Royal University’s Institute of Community Prosperity established the Measuring What Matters Project. This project is a community forum for nurturing dialogue and critical conversations associated with community performance metrics. It is open to all commercial, social, and civic groups, and citizens are all invited to participate in conversations about measuring community prosperity.

Our work is guided by a Steering Committee of passionate, engaged Calgarians from a diverse range of organizations:

• Action Dignity

• ATCO

• Calgary Arts Development

• Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

• Calgary Economic Development

• Calgary Foundation

• Calgary on Purpose

• Canadian Poverty Institute

• City of Calgary

• CivicTech YYC/ Open Calgary/ Data for Good

• Community Futures Treaty 7

• Divercities

• Evergreen & Canadian Urban Institute

• Federation of Calgary Communities

• Mount Royal University / Vivacity YYC

• Mount Royal University Institute for Community Prosperity

• Native Counselling Services of Alberta

• Stone-Olafson

• Sustainable Calgary

• Trico Charitable Foundation

• United Way Calgary

• Vivo