The latest Market Basket Measure numbers show Calgary's cost of living is the second highest in Canada

Canada’s poverty measure shows the high cost of necessities in Calgary

VCC's executive director says Calgarians are being squeezed when they're already facing an affordability crisis

Rental vacancy at lowest levels since 2014, affordability gap grows: CMHC

VCC discusses the effect of rising inflation on people living with poverty in our city

Inflation’s impact on people living in poverty

Poor mental health and access to affordable housing are intertwined

'Our next pandemic': Calgary's housing fragility takes a heavy toll on mental health

Singles, a group often overrepresented in deep poverty, are mostly left out of Alberta's Affordability Action Plan 

Action to improve affordability leaves some out

Meaghon Reid discusses Alberta's new affordability measures and other opportunities

VCC's executive director says many of the lowest wage employees are forced to work multiple jobs 

Life on minimum wage in Calgary was always stressful, but it's even harder now

Food security, affordable housing, allyship and incomes were the focus in advancing the Enough for All strategy

Here’s what I learned from a recent workshop with housing expert Nick Falvo

VCC discusses affordable housing in East Village and how it could lead to a more diverse and vibrant community

East Village rebirth started 15 years ago; there's still much work to do

Government actions to tackle inflation are a move in the right direction, but more can be done

New affordability measures will help many Albertans

Creating slack in people’s lives through economic and social mobility

PODCAST: Shifting Mindsets – Scarcity to Strength

VCC says new money will go a long way to getting the best information for data-based policy decisions when dealing with poverty, mental health and addictions

'Enough for all': Advocates pleased to see social spending in Calgary budget

Collective strengths, connection and collaboration were the focus of VCC’s champion gathering

Systems change: getting to where we need to go

VCC's Meaghon Reid discusses the provincial government announcement with the Calgary Herald and how single people are excluded from the help 

UCP's cash payouts to Albertans is 'ideal way' to weather inflation: economist

Meaghon Reid discusses how investments in people living on low incomes can save the City money

Calgary city councillors to juggle affordability as budget debate continues

VCC weighs in on how organizations responding to poverty are being pushed to their limits 

Calgary non-profits call for $30M injection from province to keep sector afloat

CBC called on two financial experts for the best advice and we've got their answers here

The latest living wages for Alberta confirm that affordability measures and higher wages for low income workers are needed now

Living wages: one solution to working poverty

VCC reflects on how Alberta was the only province not to increase its minimum wage in 2022  

Living wage higher than minimum wage: Alberta Living Wage Network

Making Decisions for the Future: Ending Poverty Once and for All

Adult Literacy and Foundational Learning 

Quadrant: NE
Population: 83,960 (2016)
Households: 22,560 (2016)
Total contacts to 211* for basic needs: 515 (2020)

Communities: Castleridge, Cityscape, Cornerstone, Falconridge, Homestead, Martindale, Redstone, Saddle Ridge, Skyview Ranch, Taradale 

Through an online questionnaire and interviews, we heard from the community that the people have a strong sense of community and connection with one another. There are collaborative networks within this ward, and people come together to meet the needs of the community in culturally appropriate and community-driven ways. 

Community members identified the following key issues as concerns: financial well-being, affordable housing, food security, employment, physical health, mental health, and access to appropriate cultural supports. 

Median household income before tax
This ward: $87,562/year (2015)
Calgary: $97,329/year (2015)

Median individual income before tax
This ward: $31,239/year (2015)
Calgary: $43,251/year (2015)

Number of individuals living in low income
This ward: 12% (LIM-AT* 2015)
Calgary: 9% (LIM-AT* 2015)

Individuals receiving government cash benefits
This ward: 64% at $5,578/year (2016)
Calgary: 57% at $6,448/year (2016)

Households earning less than $30,000/year after tax 
1,705 or 8% (2016)

Unemployment rate 
This ward: 10% (2016)
Calgary: 10% (2016)

Part-time employment rate
This ward: 55% (2016)
Calgary: 50% (2016)

Average employment income per year 
This ward: $37,923 (2016)
Calgary: $64,542 (2016)

Percentage of individuals earning less than $30,000/year from employment
This ward: 47% (2016)
Calgary: 37% (2016)

Average monthly income and expenses of those requesting Calgary Food Bank Emergency Food Hampers from this ward
Income: $1,668/month (2020)
Expenses: $1,310/month (2020)
Net income remaining: $358/month (2020)

Number of 211 contacts for food resources
211 (2020)

The most frequently reported reason for requesting a hamper

Insufficient fixed government benefits (28%)

Income support from government programs (29%)

Rent, with households allocating a median of $1000/month towards housing

Residents who spend 30% or more of their income on shelter
This ward: 30% (2016)
Calgary: 22% (2016)

Average rent per household
This ward: $1,368/month (2016)
Calgary: $1,354/month (2016)

Residents in unsuitable housing
14% (2016)

Residents in unaffordable housing
37% (2016)

Residents in housing requiring major repairs
3% (2016)

Households experiencing energy poverty (2016)
23% (2016)

Number of affordable housing units
322 (2016)

Total contacts to 211 for housing/shelter supports
178 (2020)

Total contacts to 211 for utilities support
78 (2020)

People applied to Calgary’s Fair Entry program for the low-income bus pass
13,969 (2019)

Total contacts to 211 for transportation support
15 (2020)

Percentage of average income that families with two parents in the home spend on childcare for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
13% (2018)

Percentage of average income that lone-parent families spend on childcare for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
19% (2018)

Hospitals and public health clinics
0 (2021)

Recreation centres
7 (for-profit not included, 2021)

Total contacts to 211 for criminal justice and legal services
127 (2020)

Statistics relating to this ward, compiled from several separate surveys.

This section contains a snapshot of information provided by residents from this ward through an online questionnaire and interviews. The experience of poverty is unique and personal, and these comments do not reflect the entire ward. 

When asked what’s working well to address poverty in Ward 5, residents highlighted various programs and services: affordable housing development, ongoing food security programs, technology access programs, and financial literacy programs like tax clinics. We also heard that there are local collaboratives and grassroots groups that support with engagement, relationship building, and access to resources. 

When asked what poverty looks like in Ward 5, we heard that employment is a key concern in the community. Although some residents have achieved high levels of education, their education is not accredited. As a result, they are unable to practise what they are qualified for here in Canada. Precarious employment was also highlighted as a key concern in the community. Sometimes, people have multiple jobs that pay minimum wage, which makes it challenging to meet their basic needs. We heard that food security is a concern for some in Ward 5, and there are ongoing food security programs in the community. 

COVID-19 has amplified the need to access technology. However, some face barriers to accessing the internet, phones and computers. Residents also shared concerns about transportation. In particular, they raised issues related to public transit accessibility in the newer communities and families relying on one car, especially since the hailstorm in June 2020. 

Childcare was highlighted as a high need in the community. Residents shared that they lack affordable childcare providers, especially in the newer communities. When it comes to accessing resources and government supports, we heard that community members sometimes face barriers, such as stigma and a lack of accessibility. 

Residents from this ward shared the following ideas to help eliminate poverty from their community:

More resources and support from the government to overcome poverty 

Intentional resource injection within community groups that already exist, and investing in opportunities that build capacity for residents 

Improve accessibility and education about programs and services 

More supports to improve technology access and digital literacy 

Increase mental health supports that meet the needs of local residents, and are culturally appropriate and embedded in existing community supports 

Ward 6 is located in southwest Calgary and includes the following communities:

Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Coach Hill, Cougar Ridge, Discovery Ridge, Glamorgan, Glenbrook, Glendale, Medicine Hill, Patterson, Signal Hill, Springbank Hill, Spruce Cliff, Strathcona Park, West Springs, Westgate, Wildwood 

These profiles were developed by Vibrant Communities Calgary and the Canadian Poverty Institute to equip the community with poverty-specific data related to Calgary’s 14 wards. This information can be used to stimulate debate and highlight poverty as a key election issue with local candidates.

Ward 5: Poverty Profiles 2021 | Enough for All

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Salimah Kassam, leader of Rise Calgary, to explore what it means to move from a scarcity to strength mindset, the concept of designing systems that create slack for people, and what some of the roadblocks are to shifting perspectives on poverty.

Episode 17: Shifting Mindsets – Scarcity to Strength

In this episode, Meaghon Reid sits down with Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta, to explore what the role of business is in society, how that role is evolving, links between business and a healthy society, and the concept of shared prosperity.

Episode 16: Shared Prosperity – the Role of Business in Society

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with James Stauch, executive director of the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University, to explore social innovation and social purpose, and how systems mapping is a wayfinding tool that helps deepen one’s understanding of a problem.

Episode 15: Social Innovation, Mapping Systems & Building Trust

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Jessica Cope Williams, Co-CEO of Kindred Connections Society, to explore how an organization’s name can act as a barrier to those trying to access services and what it means to be a connection first organization. 

Episode 14: Mental Health and Connection First Strategies

In this episode, VCC’s Meaghon Reid sits down with Steacy Pinney, CEO of Calgary Reads, to explore how Calgary Reads is spreading early literacy across Calgary through the Dandelion strategy, and the importance of literacy and prevention in the early years. 

Episode 13: Literacy & the Dandelion Strategy

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Sarah Sinclair, a Lawyer who leads the Indigenous justice program Sahwoo mohkaak tsi ma taas (Blackfoot for “Before Being Judged”) at Calgary Legal Guidance, to discuss creating equal access to justice for Indigenous people, how Indigenous Law brings healing, and the need for systemic change in the legal system.

Episode 12: Systemic Change – Indigenous People and the Legal System

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Lee Stevens, policy and research specialist with Vibrant Communities Calgary to explore basic income. What a basic income could mean for Canadians and how it could have a positive impact on our social support systems.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Lee Stevens, VCC’s policy and research specialist and this episodes’ co-host alongside Nevena Ivanovic, public policy coordinator with the Women’s Centre of Calgary and Andrea Cox, manager of government relations with YW Calgary. Together they discuss women and the economy, child care in Alberta, and what’s working in regards to policy.

Episode 10: Child Care, Women, and the Economy

In this episode, VCC’s Meaghon Reid sits down with the CEO of The Alex, Joy Bowen-Eyre, to explore what it means to provide dignified services, how food is a convenor and community builder, and how progress comes from investing energy into policy and advocacy. 

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Hagir Sail, Community Facilitation and Engagement Specialist with Vibrant Communities Calgary to explore allyship. 

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Celestina Akinkunmi with the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) to explore settlement and integration services in Calgary.

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with Vibrant Communities Calgary and EndPovertyEdmonton’s Executive Directors to get their perspectives on poverty reduction and the future of Alberta.

Episode 6: No Battle of Alberta when it comes to Poverty Reduction

In this episode, VCC’s Meaghon Reid sits down with Momentum’s Jeff Loomis to talk about financial empowerment, innovations like the QUBER Savings App, skills training for the growing tech industry and more.

Episode 5: Building Assets Brings Opportunity

In this episode, Jaclyn Silbernagel catches up with Sue Gwynn from Poverty Talks! to chat about the importance of engaging with the voices of lived experience. Hear about why Poverty Talks! challenges perceptions around poverty, how models and systems keep people in poverty, and why poverty is a trap.

In this episode, VCC’s Executive Director Meaghon Reid sits down with Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Mayor Nenshi is one of the original champions of the Enough for All strategy and emphasizes how ‘my neighbour’s strength is my strength.’ Listen to them discuss priorities for Calgary and poverty reduction and their optimism for the future. 

Episode 3: My Neighbour’s Strength is My Strength

In this episode, VCC’s Executive Director Meaghon Reid sits down with Karen Young, president and CEO of the United Way of Calgary and Area, to discuss how community partnerships deliver dividends in the poverty reduction space. The United Way is a leader in developing key partnerships that drive results. Get to know what the United Way has learned from initiatives like Community Hubs, how businesses are evolving around social purpose, and how they’re taking community action on mental health.

Literary specialist Berniece Gowan discusses how improving literacy levels can shift the needle on poverty reduction.

Calgary's living wage is $22.40 per hour. A living wage is a proxy for the cost of living in a community. It is determined by calculating average expenses, taxes, and government benefits for a given household using local costs. A living wage considers the basic needs of an average household, plus the additional costs we all incur from time to time, to allow a household to fully participate, thrive, and build their human and financial assets (e.g., education and savings).

Employment income that is sufficient to cover the cost of living is vital to reducing poverty and building a resilient city and economy. Since 2008, Vibrant Communities Calgary has been updating the living wage figure for Calgary. This brief provides the details of the calculation, which was done in collaboration with the Alberta Living Wage Network.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 resulted in shifts in the way that organizations and community-based initiatives provide food and revealed gaps and opportunities within the emergency food system. 

In order to better understand and develop recommendations to improve Calgary’s emergency food assistance program, the Canadian Poverty Institute and Vibrant Communities Calgary published Examining Calgary’s Emergency Food Assistance System in March 2021. The purpose of the research was to explore the scope of food insecurity in Calgary in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, assess the effectiveness of the current emergency food system, and identify opportunities for improving the effectiveness of the emergency food assistance system. 

More than a year later, challenges and disruptions continue to shape Canada’s food systems. The resiliency and adaptability of the system is continually tested, and it remains unclear which changes to the Canadian food system, from the COVID-19 pandemic, will be permanent. This report serves as an update to Examining Calgary’s Emergency Food Assistance System. The purpose is to follow up on the recommendations developed from the original study, and examine which changes were temporary or permanent. It also seeks to document stories from the community; celebrating innovative projects and lessons learned. 

The State of Calgary's Emergency Food Assistance System

The Social Policy Collaborative outlines three key policy recommendations to help the provincial government meet its commitment to Albertans in need of affordable housing. The brief also highlights recent polling data showing that 70% of Albertans agree that the provincial government has an obligation to invest in building new affordable housing units.

A path to recovery: Growing Alberta's affordable housing stock and recovery-oriented support systems

Mayor Jyoti Gondek proclaimed the month of October 2022 as End Poverty Month.

End Poverty Month was initiated to raise awareness of poverty and to serve as a platform for Calgarians to participate in poverty reduction efforts in the community. It is centered around the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty held annually on October 17. 

Every year, progress on Calgary’s Poverty Reduction Strategy – Enough for All – is evaluated by an independent third-party. The Enough for All 2021 evaluation was conducted by Dr. Katrina Milaney, who engaged stakeholders in a series of surveys, focus groups and interviews. She also completed a review of Champion research and annual reports to compile indicators across levers, including employment rates, income support caseloads, and program statistics.

The year 2021 marked the third year of the second iteration of the Enough for All Strategy. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to linger. Despite these issues, there were several highlights in 2021. This report shows progress and identifies gaps in the Goals, Levers of Change, Principles and the evolving role of VCC and Champions in advancing the Enough For All Strategy, all in the wake of a global pandemic. Stakeholders believe that because of growing pressures, several years of learnings, adaptations and long-term community partnerships, investment in and commitment to the E4A strategy is more important than ever. 

More Important than Ever: Enough for All Evaluation Report 2021

In 2022 Poverty Talks engaged the community in a discussion on housing. The key learning was that housing is a human right and everyone deserves a safe, secure home. A summary of the feedback and what needs to change is provided in this resource.

In 2022 Poverty Talks engaged the community in a discussion on public transit. The key learning was that being able to travel easily to work, groceries, school and healthcare is critical in overcoming poverty. A summary of the feedback and what needs to change is provided in this resource.

2022 Community Conversations: Public Transit

In 2022 Poverty Talks engaged the community in a discussion on food insecurity. The key learning was that a lack of income is at the root of food insecurity. A summary of the feedback and what needs to change is provided in this resource.

2022 Community Conversations: Food Insecurity

The Calgary Social Policy Collaborative asked housing expert Dr. Nick Falvo to complete a situational analysis and identify opportunities for housing affordability advocacy at the provincial level. The Affordable Housing Brief lays out general themes, key research and facts as well as the existing policy landscape.

Calgary Social Policy Collaborative: Affordable Housing Brief 

The strength of the Enough for All strategy was highlighted in 2021 as it has continued to be a credible and reliable north star of the system changes that are still needed to make poverty history in Calgary. The 2021 Report to Community outlines some of the key accomplishments and initiatives in the year.

As part of the report, you can also view the audited financial statements for VCC Initiatives Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2021.

The audited financial statements for VCC Initiatives Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2021. 

Poverty affects every aspect of your life, not only the ability to meet your basic needs — your health, relationships, how you’re impacted by climate change, even how safe you are while you walk through your neighbourhood. We do the poverty snapshot to understand how people experience poverty and what policy makers can do to help. 

On Nov 1, 2021 the Government of Alberta released Stronger Foundations: Alberta's 10-year strategy to improve and expand affordable housing, intending to outline the action needed to provide more affordable and accessible housing options for Albertans. While some aspects of the strategy are supported by VCC and the Edmonton Social Planning Council, there are also elements that pose considerable risks.

Check out their analysis What you need to know about Stronger Foundations: The Government of Alberta’s affordable housing strategy.

Analyzing the Government of Alberta’s affordable housing strategy

Earlier this year, the Calgary Foundation released its 2021 Vital Signs report, reflecting the feelings of 1,000 Calgarians who shared their unique perspectives and impressions of life over the past year. It struck us that this timely snapshot of life in Calgary touched on some important themes such as quality of life, racism, and how people are coping with the pandemic. Check out our infographic below that shows how Enough for All continues to align with some key issues identified by Calgarians.

Infographic: Enough for All alignment with Calgary Foundation's Vital Signs Report

Since 2008, Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) has been updating the living wage figure for Calgary on an annual basis. The framework for calculating a living wage is adopted from the Living Wage National Framework created by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. 

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, VCC has adopted the new standardized methodology to calculate the living wage rate for Calgary. The 2021 living wage is $18.60 per hour, a 10% decrease from the 2020 living wage of $20.69, and a difference of 24% from Alberta’s minimum wage of $15 per hour. The primary reason for the decrease in the living wage is attributed to changes made by the provincial government to Alberta’s childcare subsidy program. 

The year 2020 marked the second year of phase two for Calgary’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, Enough for All. The COVID-19 pandemic was the biggest ‘story’ of 2020 and the impact of the pandemic on community efforts to reduce poverty cannot be understated. Limitations in support services due to closures and reduced capacity because of restrictions due to COVID-19 have likely increased the risk that people in need of support ‘fell though the cracks’. This year’s evaluation report is written within this context. This report shows progress and identifies gaps in the Goals, Levers of Change, Principles and the role of the Enough for All Champions and Vibrant Communities Calgary in advancing the Enough For All Strategy in the midst of a global pandemic.

Building Back Better: Enough For All Evaluation Report 2020

Earlier in the year, Poverty Talks! hosted a series of Community Conversations, engaging people experiencing poverty about what questions they would ask the municipal candidates running for City Council. The Poverty Talks! Peer Connections Team then used the feedback as a framework to create a survey to send to the candidates. Many candidates responded, and the report outlines their responses. 


Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) has created its Social Procurement Guidelines to ensure that products and services purchased by the team are in alignment with the goals of the Enough for All strategy, of which VCC is the steward. To successfully implement the strategy, organizational purchasing must flow to companies that are rooted in Calgary, provide living wages, and environmentally friendly products and services that meet our organization’s needs and mission. In doing so, VCC can scale the impact of purchasing decisions, and materially contribute to Community Economic Development. 

We encourage our community partners to consider purchasing from businesses that minimize the impact on our environment, pay a living wage, and are based in Calgary to support the local economy. 

Read Momentum 's Social Procurement for Calgary publication.

Vibrant Communities Calgary’s Social Procurement Guidelines

VCC has identified areas of opportunity for policy change within Calgary City Council and Administration. There are several roles that the local government can play in creating vibrant communities, including exemplary employer, service provider, investor, leader and champion, convener and partner. 

VCC's Policy recommendations for Calgary City Council

Vibrant Communities Calgary and the Canadian Poverty Institute have released a publication outlining the incidence of poverty with poverty-specific data related to Calgary’s 14 wards. 

This information can be used to stimulate debate and highlight poverty as a key election issue with local candidates.

The goal is for municipal candidates to use these profiles to inform their platforms and priority issues and consider how other orders of government and community organizations could address the various issues of poverty. In addition, voting Calgarians can use the information to form questions to ask candidates how they will support and advance poverty reduction if elected.

Both quantitative (numerical data) and qualitative (descriptive data) methods were used to create the profiles for each Ward. Calgarians participated in an online questionnaire designed to give insight into some of the top issues and concerns in each ward. Along with information on what is working well and what solutions are needed to address the various aspects of poverty in each ward.

Poverty is not always visible. Each of the 14 Wards in Calgary have things in common such as a strong sense of community and groups that help community members and residents. At the same time, these profiles are further evidence that poverty exists in each Ward, where people are struggling with access to affordable housing, mental health, transportation, childcare, access to appropriate cultural supports, and food security.

Calgary Municipal Ward Poverty Profiles 2021

Not filing your taxes? You could be missing out!

Test your knowledge of the rich culture, history and language of our region's Indigenous peoples

Not surprisingly, the cost of living is up over last year

Calgary’s Living Wage is $22.40 per hour

This End Poverty Month learn how poverty impacts all of us

Every year Enough for All is evaluated by an independent third-party.
The evaluation captures our community's progress towards achieving systems change priorities. The evaluation also provides direction to Vibrant Communities Calgary on its role in successfully advancing the Enough for All Strategy.

More Important Than Ever: Enough For All Evaluation Report 2021

Our collective progress towards achieving Enough for All in 2021

Learn more about the steps taken to advance the development of an Indigenous gathering space within the City of Calgary

Public transit must be connected, convenient, accessible, and affordable

Transit – moving the conversation beyond ‘affordable’

2020 Evaluation Report highlights progress in poverty reduction

Building Back Better – Enough for All in action

Collective impact and collaboration at the centre of reducing poverty in Calgary

Enough for All Changemakers constantly ask ‘what’s possible?’

Highlighting the experiences of poverty in all 14 wards of Calgary

Evaluating our collective progress towards achieving Enough for All in 2020

Laying Bare Inequities: COVID-19, Gender, Race and Precarious Employment

Reflecting on Basic Income Through the Lens of Poverty Reduction

Combating poverty in the earliest stages of life

Overcoming Stigma: Poverty is Not a Choice

Ward 5

At a glance

Low income demographics (LIM-AT*, 2015)

4,240

Ages 0-17

5,125

Ages 18-64

435

Ages 65+

Statistics by category

Income inequality

What we heard

Ideas

Next Ward

Poverty Profiles 2021