Calgary Social Voice

Sharing ideas on social issues in and around Calgary.

5 facts that will make your jaw drop!

May 17, 2012 · Posted In: Poverty
jaw drop

  • 140,000 Calgarians are living in poverty
  • Over one in four employed persons, and one in three employed women, works for low wages in Alberta
  • For an individual to be able to meet their basic needs, maintain a safe and decent standard of living, and save for future needs and goals, they require a Living Wage.  In Calgary, a bare minimum Living Wage is $13.75 per hour without benefits or $12.50 per hour with benefits
  • In Calgary, one in eight children lives in poverty
  • According to Revenue Canada data on 2009, 64.5 per cent of tax filers reported living on incomes below $40,000.

 

What are your thoughts?  Why does poverty exist in our city? What can we do we help individuals, families and children live a healthier and better life?

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  • http://twitter.com/ConnieJakab Connie Jakab

    poverty exists because we allow it, however that being said, I find Calgary to be one of the most pro-active cities in Canada working to combat it.  I believe it takes Calgarians deciding to live in community, to make poverty personal and take ownership to do our part.  Simple things like: knowing our neighbour so if that neighbour ever loses their job we are there to help rather than see them dwindle into poverty that leads to something as hard as losing their home and living in a shelter.  Everyone can do that.   Other things involve getting educated on what poverty really looks like in our city and joining the organizations (like yourselves) to serve and see the work expanded.
    It’s not “us and them” – is US. When it becomes US, things will change.  That’s what I learned from Derek Cook.  I’m in.  Are you?

  • Liya

    It’s like the saying… “it takes a village to raise a child.”  It takes the efforts of everyone to make a city great.  As a community, we need to be proactive.  If we see someone in need, and we have the ability to give, then what’s stopping us?  I completely agree that when we work as a team, things will change.  Often times many of us close our eyes to the realities of the issues that exist in our city.  If opened them and considered doing what Connie suggestions below, then perhaps we can begin to create change.  

    • Kate

      I completely agree Liya, it will take all of us doing something – no matter how big or small – to make a lasting difference.  We can put band aids over certain problems, but to make a lasting difference we need an approach where everyone in this city owns a piece of the responsiblity.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=744293177 Janice Iverson

    My dream — every Calgary business signs on to a living wage. I think that would help.

  • DWJF

    So how do we get the IBM’s and the HP’s to stop outsourcing overseas for 10 cents on the dollar and actually pay thier employees a living wage here?  The big companies have to change the attitude of profit being the bottom line and start to invest in thier society rather than raping it for the good of the investors profits.  If only the top 8% can afford to invest that really makes the rich get richer and the poor starve. 

  • http://homelesseden.blogspot.ca/2012/05/leaving-eden-blog-is-effort-to.html Ryan Lengsfeld

    I heard long ago the adage ‘We can do what I cannot’. In the face of poverty the meaning of the phrase becomes doubly true. Engagement, personal commitment and honest intention do wonders in changing ideas into action. So if multinationals won’t do as ‘we’ ask them ‘we’ must show them.

    • Bryce Paton

       good words, Ryan. keep ‘em coming. am enjoying your blog too.

    • unitedwaycgy

      Great words.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Change starts here!