Edmonton's living wage jumped by $1.54 an hour in 2 years: report
The minimum income needed to maintain a modest standard of living in Edmonton has increased by more than $1.50 an hour since 2019, the Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN) found.
The ALWN, a newly launched network of local agencies and municipalities, released its list of 2021 living wages for 12 Alberta municipalities on Monday.
The living wage for Edmontonians was calculated at $18.10 an hour, compared to $16.56 per hour two years ago.
According to the ALWN, a living wage is calculated based on the income needs of a young family of four to maintain a modest standard of living after government transfers have been added and taxes have been subtracted.
“We’re not talking about living high on the hog by any means, even within a living wage," executive director for the Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) Susan Morrissey told CTV News Edmonton.
"It’s what people need to do in order to not have to be all stressed out about where they’re going to buy their groceries, whether they have to go to the food bank, whether they can continue to rent where they live."
Morrissey said the ESPC hopes the latest numbers help people recognize that a living wage is not the same as minimum wage.
"As costs continue to go up, and we see this every single day, cost of food going up, cost of utilities, whatever, minimum wage is really not keeping pace with that," she said.
"(The living wage) is beyond just minimum of what people need to live. This is the ability to live with a little bit of dignity, with a modest income that covers off your food costs, appropriate shelter costs, transportation, maybe a little bit of money set aside for the odd emergency."
Alberta's minimum wage is $15 an hour, but that figure is currently under review by the province.
The ESPC executive director said Alberta employers should be expected to pay their workers a living wage at least.
"I think it's good for our province," said Morrissey. "It increases spending power when people have money in their wallets."
"How do low income individuals spend their money when they have it? They spend it on their kids, they spend it on better quality food, they spend it on more appropriate housing and safe housing."
Morrissey also pointed out that a single individual, or single parent household would need a higher income than the listed living wage.
"You've only got one income coming into the household, or in the case of a single person you don't necessarily qualify for any subsidies or any of the government transfers and help that a single parent may be."
The living wage calculated for Edmonton was on the lower end compared to some other Alberta communities.
Canmore was deemed the most expensive with a living wage of $37.40 an hour, while Strathcona County was listed as the least expensive at $16.80 an hour.
Here is the ALWN's full list of living wages for 2021:
- Calgary: $18.60
- Canmore: $37.40
- Chestermere: $18.60
- Cochrane: $22.60
- Drumheller: $19.70
- Edmonton: $18.10
- Fort McMurray: $27.35
- Lethbridge: $19.00
- Red Deer: $17.15
- Rocky Mountain House: $18.05
- Stony Plain: $17.20
- Strathcona County: $16.80
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.