Lethbridge living wage jumps 11.5 per cent to $22.30

A new study shows that Lethbridge is even less affordable. Quinn Keenan reports.

The latest numbers from the Alberta Living Wage Network show the affordability crisis isn’t getting any better.

After several years of stagnation Lethbridge saw a dramatic 11.5 per cent increase to $22.30.

Lethbridge has the tenth highest living wage among the 21 communities tracked.

Increased housing, transportation and childcare costs were some of the biggest factors.

“A number of things added up. So, things like transportation, food, housing. So, we saw a close to 20 per cent increase in housing, childcare,” said Jaci Zalesak, executive director of the United Way of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta.

The living wage is the amount of money someone needs to earn to cover their expenses and participate in their community.

Some employers like the Interfaith Food Bank are certified living wage employers.

That means every employee earns a living wage through a combination of their wage and benefits.

“More than anything, we need to put our money where our mouth is. We are an anti-poverty organization, so we need to make sure that we are practicing what we preach,” said Interfaith Food Bank executive director, Danielle McIntyre.

Surviving on minimum wage

Living wage demands now far outpace Alberta’s $15 an hour minimum wage.

The minimum wage was the highest in the country when it was introduced in 2018.

Since then, it’s become the lowest.

“Certainly that is a big gap between that and the living wage of $7.30. In Alberta we have about 16,000, families that are supporting a child under 18 that are being paid a minimum wage,” said Zalesak.

Poverty reduction advocates say this shows a significant amount of work needs to be done to help the most vulnerable in our communities.

“Certainly, an increase in minimum wage would help, as well as having more affordable housing units would make a difference. And so, if we can see our governments working together to support affordable housing, that would make a more world of difference,” said Zalesak.

Jasper had the highest living wage at $31.80 while Medicine Hat was the lowest with $18.15.