Today Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) in collaboration with the Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN) has released a new living wage of $24.45 per hour for Calgary. Calgary’s living wage is now almost $10 per hour, or 63 per cent, higher than Alberta’s minimum wage.  

Living wage is the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and have a modest standard of living, once government transfers have been added and taxes have been subtracted.  

“This year's living wage demonstrates the impact of government policies on affordability. The increased childcare affordability grant and lower regulated electricity rates have contributed to a more affordable cost of living. However, the increased cost of housing and food has left many hard-working Calgarians skipping meals or living in overcrowded, unsafe conditions. Albertans deserve more, and the time to act is now,” said Meaghon Reid, Executive Director of Vibrant Communities Calgary. 

Almost 150 workplaces in Alberta, including almost 50 in Calgary, have committed to paying at least a living wage. They are showing us there is another way to do business. 

“At Lafarge, we believe investing in our people is key to building progress in our cities and communities. Our commitment to providing a living wage helps us attract and retain dedicated, skilled teams that drive the quality and safety behind our projects across Alberta. This investment supports our employees and their families while strengthening the resilience of the areas where we live and work,” said Bob Spence, Senior Vice President, Southern Alberta, Lafarge Canada. 

“Paying a living wage allows Home Spritz to retain high-quality and dependable cleaners who build trusting relationships with clients. Many cleaners in our industry are underpaid and undervalued, and this is reflected in the high turnover rates, inconsistent service, and lack of trust. Home Spritz prides itself on hiring the top 2 per cent of cleaners and paying them a living wage, which has had a positive impact on people’s lives and our business,” said Nick Ross, Chief Technology Officer at homespritz.ca.  

“We've always felt strongly that paying a living wage is completely necessary out of respect for our employees. We are trying to make a living, and we want to provide a workplace where others can do the same. We also believe that happy people make good beer, which is a convenient result in our line of business,” said Brandon Hart, Co-Founder of The Establishment Brewing Company. 

"We work closely with communities across Alberta to support annual living wage calculations and raise awareness about the cost of living in Alberta. For us, employers are our partners in supporting sustainable local economies where workers and their families can access the basic necessities and participate in their community," said Ryan Lacanilao, Coordinator with the Alberta Living Wage Network.   
 

Quick facts: 

• A living wage reflects what people need to earn to cover living costs in their community. Calgary’s living wage of $24.45 per hour is almost $10 per hour, or 63%, higher than Alberta’s minimum wage. 48% of Albertans living on a minimum wage are older than 24. 
• Food and housing costs are up. Calgarians are paying about 10% more for food and about $2,000 more for shelter. Compared to their Edmonton counterparts, Calgarians are paying between $3,300 to $4,500 more on shelter, annually. 
• Good government policies make a difference. Families are spending about $2,000 less on child care, thanks to the child care affordability grant and frozen base rates. Households are spending about $1,500 less on electricity due to lower regulated electricity rates, but these savings are outweighed by the cost of food and shelter.  
  

Resources:  

• Learn more about Calgary’s living wage and how we calculate it. 
• 21 municipalities in Alberta released their living wages today. Learn more about how Calgary’s living wage compares.
• View ALWN’s common questions and answers about living wages and how employers can get certified. 

About Vibrant Communities Calgary  

Vibrant Communities Calgary stewards Calgary's poverty reduction strategy Enough for All, advocating for policy and systems-level changes that address the root cause of poverty in our city. Working collaboratively with stakeholders and partners, Vibrant Communities Calgary actively promotes poverty reduction efforts in Calgary. For more information, visit enoughforall.ca or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.  

About the Alberta Living Wage Network  

The Alberta Living Wage Network is a network of community organizations and municipalities with the goal of advancing a coordinated living wage movement in Alberta. The network assists communities in their annual living wage calculation and has certified more than 100 living wage employers in the province. For more information visit livingwagealberta.ca and follow @livingwageab on Twitter or Instagram.   

Media inquiries: 

Alka Merlin 
Director of Communications 
Vibrant Communities Calgary 
media@vibrantcalgary.com