Category: **ESPC News and Announcements

For Immediate Release

(Edmonton) The Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) estimates that two working adults, caring for two children, would need to each earn $17.36 per hour to meet the family’s basic needs.

The living wage is calculated using a detailed financial accounting based on the actual local costs of food, rent, utilities, clothing, child care, transportation, communications and more. The calculation is based on the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ 
(CCPA) Living Wage Canada frame work that other cities have used. 

“This living wage comes at a time when our provincial government is raising the minimum wage. Our calculation gives all levels of government and employers a comprehensive picture of what it costs to live in this city,” said ESPC executive director Susan Morrissey. “Not only does it serve as a way to compare Edmonton’s cost of living with other cities, but the living wage is also an effective tool in reducing poverty.” 

The calculation places Edmonton slightly above Calgary’s living wage of $17.29 calculated in 2014, Red Deer’s $16.48 calculated in 2013 and Grande Prairie’s $15.55 calculated in 2012. 

“The issues surrounding poverty are incredibly complex.  We need the right tools for planning and the right strategies in place to address these issues,” said Allan Undheim, Vice-President of Community Building and Investment for United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. “This is why the living wage calculation is such an important tool as government, business and the not-for-profit sector work together on plans to help people gain valuable skills and take advantage of opportunities that will see them reach their earning potential and better provide for themselves and their families.” 

Employer Usman Tahir Jutt says he is generally supportive of the living wage calculation. 

“Understanding our city and its people is a fundamental step to addressing the challenges we face,” said Jutt, an owner of two restaurants. “Data like this gives insight into the fabric of our society. This first step will open the doors to further dialogue and research into how we can get closer to creating a city future generations will be proud to call home.” 

ESPC is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan social research organization, with registered charitable status with a focus on social research, particularly in the areas of low income and poverty.

For more information: 
Susan Morrissey 
ESPC Executive Director 
(780) 218-7395 cell
susanm@edmontonsocialplanning.ca

Information about living wages nationally is available at: www.livingwagecanada.ca

Edmonton’s living wage report is available at: More Than Minimum – Calculating Edmonton’s Living Wage

Backgrounder

Edmonton’s Living Wage of $17.36 is calculated using the typical expenses of a family of four living in a three-bedroom rental apartment, with two adults working 35 hours each a week, with one adult enrolled in school part-time, with two children, aged three and seven. The calculation is based on this equation:

Annual Family Expenses = Employment Income + Income from Government Transfers – Taxes

Major Family Monthly Expenses

• Food – $884.17
• Clothing and Footwear – $164.04
• Shelter – $1,416
• Transportation – $460.47
• Utilities – $218.96
• Bank Fees – $24.50
• Communications (cable, cell-phone) – $148
• Child Care – $1,406.33
• Extended Health/Dental – $260
• Child school fees – $20
• Parent’s continuing education – $143.04
• Household furnishings, misc – $441.04
• Contingency fund – $101.27

Total – $5,687.94

Non-Wage Monthly Income (Government Transfers)

• Canada Child Tax Benefit – $196.44
• Universal Child Care Benefit – $220
• Child Care Subsidy – $634
• Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit – $57.02

Total – $1,107.46

Monthly Household Income Less Government Deductions plus Gov. Transfers

• Employment Income – $63,190.40
• Taxes – $8,218.54
• After-Tax Income – $54,971.86
• Non-Wage Income – $13,289.46
• Available Income – $68,261.32
• Family Expenses- $68,255.24
• Gap – $6.08

Living Wage – $34.72 (divided by two adults) $17.36

This calculation does not take into account the costs of debt payments, savings for retirement, vacations, or for their children’s post-secondary education.

While a minimum wage reflects the hourly wage employers must legally pay their employees, a living wage represents the hourly wage needed to cover the costs of living at a modest level in a specific community.

Minimum wages do not come close to meeting the actual cost of living for individuals and families, whereas a living wage can make a world of difference in health outcomes and quality of life.

From an employers’ perspective, research indicates that employers providing a living wage benefit from decreased staff turnover, improved productivity and reduced absenteeism. Employers may also benefit from having a reputation as a business with a record of social responsibility.

Examples of other cities with living wages:

• Grande Prairie – $15.55 (2012)
• Red Deer – $16.48 (2013)
• Calgary – $17.29 (2014)
• Toronto – $18.52 (2015)
• Victoria – $18.93 (2014)
• Vancouver – $20.10 (2014)

The living wage rate varies across Canada due to differences in the cost of living and government transfers, as it is based on local and provincial costs for goods such as food, housing, health care, transportation and child care.

Thirty cities in four provinces have engaged in local discussions on how to create living wage communities.

 

 

(Edmonton) Two youth groups addressing the issue of gay straight alliances in schools and homelessness and poverty are this year’s recipients of the Edmonton Social Planning Council’s (ESPC) Award of Merit for Advocacy of Social Justice.

The City of Edmonton Youth Council and the Youth Action Project on Poverty, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights will be honoured during the ESPC’s annual general meeting at 5:30 p.m. May 21 at the Edmonton Public Library, Centennial Room.

This award is presented to honour forward-looking and courageous individuals and groups that in the face of controversy seek social justice for a defined community group or for the whole community.

“The ESPC Board wanted to recognize the advocacy work of youth in Edmonton during our 75th anniversary year, as a way to focus on the future not only our history,” said Erin LaRocque, an ESPC board member and selection committee member.

City of Edmonton Youth Council

The City of Edmonton Youth Council (CEYC) is a civic committee of 16 youth (ages 13 to 23) representing Edmonton youth to city council. CEYC empowers and mobilizes youth on issues through education, skill building and experience in local government. This year CEYC passed a motion against Bill 10 in its initial form, and then took the motion to the Edmonton City Council where it was passed unanimously. Bill 10 would have permitted Alberta school boards to prevent students from forming Gay-Straight Alliances. After advocating for community support, and organizing a public forum, We Are Listening, the Government of Alberta amended the bill consistent with the recommendations of the CEYC motion.

The Youth Council also played a role in creating the documentary film Through My Eyes, a look at the realities of at-risk, homeless youth in Edmonton. Directed by two young and up-and-coming film makers, the film premiered in front of a sold-out audience and has since been seen by thousands online around the world.

Contacts:

Claire Edwards, CEYC Chair     780-722-5583 or cae1@ualberta.ca

Andrew Knack, City Councillor 780-267-1442 or andrew.knack@edmonton.ca

Youth Action Project on Poverty

This project was supported by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, an Edmonton based non-profit group working to promote peace and human rights through education, events and programs. During the past year, the Centre worked with a number of young people participating in the Youth Action Project on Poverty. Youth spent five months broadening their understanding of poverty in Edmonton through a study tour of various social service agencies, street outreach programs, interviews and community presentations. The participants focused on issues such as justice, security, freedom and dignity, created a series of recommendations, and presented them to the Mayor’s Task Force for the Elimination of Poverty. As a result, city council passed a motion to review bylaws and enforcement that adversely impact people experiencing poverty.

This project was led by two urban Aboriginal youth who have struggled with poverty, criminalization and discrimination. They facilitated sessions, developed project outcomes and became significant role models for other participants. The work of the project will build on these recommendations throughout the coming year.

Contacts:

Stephenie White, youth participant

Maigan van der Giessen, Programs Coordinator, 780- 453-2638 or maigan@jhcentre.org

 

ESPC is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan social research organization, with registered charitable status with a focus on social research, particularly in the areas of low income and poverty.

For more information:

Susan Morrissey

ESPC Executive Director

(780) 423-2031 x353 or (780) 218-7395 cell

susanm@edmontonsocialplanning.ca

Photos of both award recipients are available upon request.

 

(Edmonton) Two youth groups addressing the issue of gay straight alliances in schools and homelessness and poverty are this year’s recipients of the Edmonton Social Planning Council’s (ESPC) Award of Merit for Advocacy of Social Justice.

The City of Edmonton Youth Council and the Youth Action Project on Poverty, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights will be honoured during the ESPC’s annual general meeting at 5:30 p.m. May 21 at the Edmonton Public Library, Centennial Room.

This award is presented to honour forward-looking and courageous individuals and groups that in the face of controversy seek social justice for a defined community group or for the whole community.

“The ESPC Board wanted to recognize the advocacy work of youth in Edmonton during our 75th anniversary year, as a way to focus on the future not only our history,” said Erin LaRocque, an ESPC board member and selection committee member.

City of Edmonton Youth Council

The City of Edmonton Youth Council (CEYC) is a civic committee of 16 youth (ages 13 to 23) representing Edmonton youth to city council. CEYC empowers and mobilizes youth on issues through education, skill building and experience in local government. This year CEYC passed a motion against Bill 10 in its initial form, and then took the motion to the Edmonton City Council where it was passed unanimously. Bill 10 would have permitted Alberta school boards to prevent students from forming Gay-Straight Alliances. After advocating for community support, and organizing a public forum, We Are Listening, the Government of Alberta amended the bill consistent with the recommendations of the CEYC motion.

The Youth Council also played a role in creating the documentary film Through My Eyes, a look at the realities of at-risk, homeless youth in Edmonton. Directed by two young and up-and-coming film makers, the film premiered in front of a sold-out audience and has since been seen by thousands online around the world.

Contacts:

Claire Edwards, CEYC Chair     780-722-5583 or cae1@ualberta.ca

Andrew Knack, City Councillor 780-267-1442 or andrew.knack@edmonton.ca

Youth Action Project on Poverty

This project was supported by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, an Edmonton based non-profit group working to promote peace and human rights through education, events and programs. During the past year, the Centre worked with a number of young people participating in the Youth Action Project on Poverty. Youth spent five months broadening their understanding of poverty in Edmonton through a study tour of various social service agencies, street outreach programs, interviews and community presentations. The participants focused on issues such as justice, security, freedom and dignity, created a series of recommendations, and presented them to the Mayor’s Task Force for the Elimination of Poverty. As a result, city council passed a motion to review bylaws and enforcement that adversely impact people experiencing poverty.

This project was led by two urban Aboriginal youth who have struggled with poverty, criminalization and discrimination. They facilitated sessions, developed project outcomes and became significant role models for other participants. The work of the project will build on these recommendations throughout the coming year.

Contacts:

Stephenie White, youth participant

Maigan van der Giessen, Programs Coordinator, 780- 453-2638 or maigan@jhcentre.org

 

ESPC is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan social research organization, with registered charitable status with a focus on social research, particularly in the areas of low income and poverty.

For more information:

Susan Morrissey

ESPC Executive Director

(780) 423-2031 x353 or (780) 218-7395 cell

susanm@edmontonsocialplanning.ca

Photos of both award recipients are available upon request.