The living wage is $22.40 per hour in Calgary, according to a report by the Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN). .“Living wages are an important tool in figuring out what it costs to live in a city and with the current affordability crisis, it’s clear more needs to be done to help people make ends meet,” said Vibrant Communities Calgary Executive Director Meaghon Reid in a Monday press release. .“Alberta is the only province that didn’t review and raise its minimum wage in 2022 and one of the only provinces that doesn’t tie its minimum wage to the cost of living.”.The report defines a living wage as the hourly rate a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in the community. It said these findings are based on the income needs for a two-parent family with two young children, a single parent with one child, and a person living alone. .The city with the highest living wage was Canmore, AB ($32.75). .Subsequent to Canmore was Fort McMurray ($22.50). This was followed by Calgary and St. Albert ($22.40) and Cochrane ($22.35). .Edmonton’s living wage was $21.40. The lowest living wage was Medicine Hat ($17.50). .The minimum wage in Alberta is $15. .“The collective effort of network council members, staff, certified employers and the financial support of the Calgary Foundation and the Greater Edmonton Foundation has resulted in a very successful first year of the network,” said ALWN Chair Franco Savoia. .“This progress would not be possible without the engagement of the 16 community members of the network and the 75 living wage employers certified this year.”.With record high inflation in a post-pandemic world, the report said these findings will shed light on the cost of living in towns and cities across Alberta. .Inflation in Canada was at 6.9% on a year-over-year basis in September, down from a 7% gain in August, according to Oct. 19 data from Statistics Canada. .READ MORE: Inflation in Canada falls to 6.9% in September.Excluding food and energy, prices rose 5.4% year-over-year in September, following a gain of 5.3% in August. Prices for durable goods, such as furniture and passenger vehicles, grew at a faster pace in September compared with August..Grocery store item prices shot up by 11.4% in September, rising at the fastest pace since 1981. These prices increased because of unfavourable weather, higher prices for important inputs such as fertilizer and natural gas, and geopolitical instability related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine..The report said calculations consider the hourly rate of pay needed for a household to maintain a modest standard of living, once government transfers have been added and taxes have been subtracted. It assumes each adult is working full-time hours and will be able to cover food, clothing, shelter, unexpected costs, small investments in education, childcare, and participating in the community..“It’s time for the government to step up and give Albertans the help they need,” said Reid. .The Alberta NDP said higher living wages is caused by cuts and taxes implemented by the provincial government. .“Albertans are experiencing the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years,” said Alberta NDP MLA Christina Gray. .“We have been hearing from families for years how cost pressures are making it difficult to afford all their bills at the end of the month.” .The Alberta government removed caps on auto insurance and electricity, which Gray said sent bills skyrocketing. Gray alleged cuts to post-secondary education increased tuition.
