New report highlights income required to sufficiently cover the cost of living in Calgary

The pandemic has emphasized the importance of paying people living wages

A critical look at Alberta’s income support program

New survey data shows two-thirds of Albertans support a basic income

Income from employment that is sufficient to cover the cost of living in a given region is not only vital to reducing poverty but is a necessary component to a resilient city and economy. People need more than the bare minimum, this includes enough income to cover bank fees, education and training, internet costs, and the ability to save for an unexpected event. Other principles identified by Living Wage Canada include a wage that enables working families to have sufficient income to cover reasonable costs, promote social inclusion, and support healthy child development.

Working in collaboration with other municipalities, Vibrant Communities Calgary has adopted the new standardized methodology to calculate the living wage rate for Calgary.  The 2020 living wage is $20.69 per hour, a substantial 27% increase from the 2018 rate of $16.45, and a difference of 39% from Alberta’s minimum wage of $15 per hour.  

LivingWage_Brief_2020-Formatted.pdf

Convene stakeholders and provide a platform for collaboration

Leverage advocacy through shared communication 

E4A-Advocacy-Stakeholder-Map.pdf

In this video, hear from members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee who share their thoughts on the following, "What do you think are the biggest accomplishments towards poverty reduction for Indigenous peoples?", and "Where to you think we continue to struggle to have an impact?"

Videography by Trevor Solway (Solway Entertainment) 

Special thanks to Joanne Pinnow, Lee Stevens, and Buddie Dixon.

Enough for All Evaluation 2018: Indigenous Advisory Committee

Calgary’s living wage is not the minimum wage. Minimum wages are legislated by the provincial government and are set so that no employer may pay below the legal minimum. A living wage is a proxy for the cost of living in any given community. It is not an arbitrary number, but is instead determined by calculating average expenses, taxes and government transfers for a given household. A living wage considers the basic needs of an average family of four with two working parents and two children, plus additional costs we all incur from time to time, to allow for a family to fully participate, thrive and build their human and financial assets (e.g., education and savings).

Lee Stevens

Articles by this contributor

The pandemic has emphasized the importance of paying people living wages

Getting it right

Alberta and Perceptions of Basic Income

Resources by this contributor

Living Wage Calgary 2020

E4A Advocacy Stakeholder Map

Enough for All Evaluation 2018: Indigenous Advisory Committee

Living Wage 2018