In November, the Alberta Living Wage Network releases its annual living wage calculations for 20 Alberta communities.
The rates highlight the income working Albertans need to cover basic expenses.
From $18.05 per hour in Medicine Hat to $27.45 per hour in Banff, all 20 rates remain above Alberta’s $15-per-hour minimum wage.
Among the communities with comparable results from last year, living wages increased in nine and decreased in 10.
Lethbridge was down 3.81 per cent to $21.45, as Calgary was up 1.51 per cent to $26.90.
These changes reflect differences in local living costs, including housing, food, transportation, child care, as well as the impact of government benefits.
Coordinator Alison Van Dyke said a living wage is about more than a paycheque. “When workers can afford housing, food, transportation and other necessities, they experience greater financial stability, and those benefits extend to families, businesses, and communities.”
Unlike the minimum wage, a living wage reflects the actual cost of living in a specific community.
Paying a living wage can also benefit employers through improved recruitment, staff retention, workplace well-being, and stronger relationships with the communities they serve.
ALWN also offers a certification program recognizing employers who commit to paying their employees a living wage.
“Generally, people expect the rates are always going to go up in every community, but that’s not necessarily the case. They’re very community specific,” added Van Dyke. “We see a lot of fluctuation from community to community over costs, as well as the impact of government benefits.”
Results from the calculations can be useful for different demographics, noted Van Dyke.
“Municipalities can really use it as a benchmark and a tool for making policy decisions internally that will impact cost of living in their communities. Employers can use the living wage rate and become a certified living wage employer to show a tangible demonstration of their values to the community,” Van Dyke explained.
The living wage rate also helps workers and job seekers understand if the compensation they’re being offered or paid will meet the local costs of the community they live in or are thinking to move to, said Van Dyke.
Lethbridge’s decrease this year was due to a decrease in child care and food costs, as government benefits paid out more.
“There was an increase in shelter costs that was fairly significant,” Van Dyke added.
Van Dyke encourages employers to check out livingwagealberta.ca if they’re interested in becoming a certified living wage employer.
To view the full report, check out livingwagealberta.ca/reports.
