Basic necessities in Calgary are now the highest in Canada — including Vancouver and Toronto — according to Statistics Canada's updated market basket measure. The market basket measure defines how much a family of four would have to earn to afford a basic standard of living, and that's calculated by the cost of a basket of basic goods and services, including food, clothing, shelter and transportation.
VCC's Meaghon Reid discussed the most recent Stats Can report with CBC Calgary, noting that Alberta has some of the highest income inequality in Canada and many people at the lower income levels are feeling anxious, panicked and resigned that the situation will continue worsening. She said Calgarians need income-geared solutions to tackle poverty, such as revisiting income support rates and ensuring wages increase with the cost of living.
"If we don't do that, my fear is that people fall further and further into poverty, and we know that it's really expensive to service poverty in the long-term. This is something that, with the wealth we have in this province, we can tackle pretty quickly — but there needs to be some urgency behind it," said Meaghon.
VCC's Meaghon Reid discussed the Market Basket Measure calculations and that Calgary is the highest of major cities in Canada according to Statistics Canada with CTV News. The calculations show that Calgary's cost of basic needs is higher than Toronto or Vancouver.
"It looks like what's really pushed (Calgary) over the edge to make us more expensive than places like Toronto or Vancouver are things like our insurance prices, as well as our energy prices," said Reid.
Read the full article: 'Wake-up call': Basic needs now cost more in Calgary than any other major city in Canada
Ameera Shivji also spoke to DailyHive about how it now costs more to live in Calgary than any other major Canadian city.
“I think the Alberta advantage is waning and if we need to bring in people for high-demand jobs, we need to get a handle on how we set people from other provinces and countries for success.” said Shivji.
Read the full article: It now costs more to live in Calgary than any other major Canadian city
