Calgary’s living wage now nearly $10/hour more than the Alberta minimum wage

The living wage in Calgary has risen by $0.75 despite a stagnant provincial minimum wage, according to a new report.

Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) and the Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN) say the new living wage in the city is $24.45 per hour — almost $10 per hour, or 63 per cent higher than Alberta’s minimum wage.

Calgary has one of the highest living wages in the province, topped only by Jasper at $31.40, and Barrhead at $24.50.

Edmonton’s living wage is $20.85, Red Deer comes in at $18.90, and Medicine Hat is at $17.55.

Living wage is the hourly pay a person needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and have a modern standard of living, once government transfers have been added and taxes have been subtracted, the organizations say.

Living wage rates don’t include extras like benefits, perks, and paid time off.

“This year’s living wage demonstrates the impact of government policies on affordability,” said VCC executive director, Meaghon Reid. “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.”

Almost half of Albertans living on a minimum wage are older than 24, according to the report.

In Calgary, the biggest costs are for shelter and food; the organizations say Calgarians pay $3,300 to $4,500 more for shelter a year than Edmontonians.

Improvements to costs for childcare and electricity are making a different on the pocketbooks of Albertans. VCC and ALWN say families are spending about $2,00 less on childcare thanks to the child care affordability grant and frozen base rates. They also say households are spending about $1,500 less on power due to lower regulated electricity rates.

But, these savings are outweighed by the cost of food and shelter.

According to VCC and the Alberta Living Wage Network, there are nearly 150 workplaces in Alberta — 50 in Calgary — that have committed to paying their employees a living wage, at minimum.

Alberta tied for lowest minimum wage in Canada

When Alberta introduced a $15 minimum wage six years ago, it was the highest in Canada. But in October, four other provinces raised their minimum wage leaving Alberta’s tied as the lowest in the country.

In a statement to CityNews, the province’s minister of jobs, economy and trade says a significant change to the minimum wage could hurt small businesses and increase operational costs across the province.

“Albertans keep more of what they earn, as our province has one of the lowest provincial income tax rates, one of the highest personal income tax exemption levels and no provincial sales tax,” reads the statement from Jones.

He says the provincial government will keep monitoring the minimum wage.