City of Calgary could expand low-income supports

Requests for low income services are on the rise in Calgary.

Lisa Davis, from the City of Calgary’s social supports team, says the fair entry support program has seen a significant spike in applications over the last nine months.

She speculates that unemployment rates and migration trends could be fueling the increase, and says the city is looking at expanding its supports.

“There are plans to increase the offerings at fair entry,” Davis said. “So we’re working right now with a number of business units internally on launching some additional subsidy programs.”

Under its ‘fair entry program’ the city offers subsidy services to low income Calgarians under one application process. This includes reduced transit passes, recreation fee assistance, property tax help and more.

While plans for program expansion may be in early development, economist Moshe Lander wonders if it’s part of a bigger trend.

“Once you show that you have proof of concept, then what you do is you build on that proof of concept,” he explained. “You can start expanding it out into other cities.

“Inflation and loss of purchasing power is not a unique Calgary thing.”

As wage growth continues to lag behind the rate of inflation, Davis says other cities from across the globe have regularly inquired about its ‘fair entry’ system. But as the city braces for potential growth, Lander is concerned about program reliance.

“This should not become something that’s going to be permanent support for people,” he said. “So while we’re happy to help you through this difficult period, there’s an exit ramp whether it’s six months from now, a year from now, you can only use it a certain number of months before it expires.”