Using 2016 custom Census data, this new report provides a profile of households in Calgary with incomes just above the poverty line, as compared with those just below and those far below the poverty line. The report highlights that in addition to the 133,000 people living in poverty, a further 77,000 (6%) had incomes only marginally above the poverty line and thus at risk of falling into poverty. Similar to those in poverty, those with incomes marginally above the poverty line included seniors, persons living alone, immigrants, visible minority and indigenous persons. This group of people was also strongly attached to the labour force, predominantly employed in low-wage industries and occupations. This report was produced in collaboration with Vibrant Communities Calgary. Download the Full Report.
Fall 2020 edition of Spero released.
Learn about the latest projects and happenings at the CPI in the Fall edition of our newsletter, Spero. Read our reflections on poverty and the pandemic, our response to The City of Calgary’s hearings on systemic racism, strategies to increase educational savings, and new research on food security in Calgary. Download a copy here.
"Wellness Centres, Not Homeless Shelters" by John Rook
I have worked in the homeless serving sector for over 20 years and in that time, I have been privileged to meet some incredible, resilient, and interesting people. My experience has taught me that no two people are exactly alike. I have learned that each person’s journey to homelessness is unique and using a “one size fits all” approach is ineffective. Whether I am providing front line services, directing programs, or working as a CEO, I have tried to stay grounded in the life of people who are suffering from the effects of poverty and homelessness. I love the phrase people use, “Nothing about us without us” and I have tried to build lived experience into program strategies. It has been a privilege to work in this field. I know I am a visionary, and I have worked with some incredible teams with common purpose: to see vulnerable citizens succeed in their life journey. If I was asked for a personal Mission Statement, it would be this: “Our product is hope, and our business is relationships.” Being a small part of someone’s life journey to well-being is a high calling. And in this work, knowing that someone is on the path of success is reward enough.
The Psycho-Social Impacts of Covid-19
New report by CPI Researcher Katherine Bell provides a review of the literature on the psycho-social impacts of disasters and epidemics in order to anticipate the potential impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the population. Read the Executive Summary or the Full Report.
The Impact of Covid-19 on Informal Workers in Calgary
This new report examines the impact of Covid-19 on workers in Calgary’s informal economy, including binners, panhandlers, sex workers and casual labour.
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Poverty, Systemic Racism and the Legal System
Listen to CPI Researcher Dr. Nketti Johnston-Taylor’s address to the City of Calgary’s public inquiry on systemic racism. There is an important connection, she argues, between poverty and involvement with the legal system that is grounded in systemic racism. Listen to her presentation here.
Poverty and Systemic Racism
On July 8, CPI Senior Researcher Dr. Rita Yembilah presented at The City of Calgary’s public inquiry on systemic racism. Racism, she argued, is a form of structural violence and a key underlying factor in poverty. Watch her presentation here.
Just Released - The Employment Impact of Covid-19 on Calgary Neighbourhoods: A Preliminary Assessment
This brief estimates the employment impact of the lockdown on neighbourhoods and urban zones in Calgary. The estimates in this report indicate that the employment impact of Covid-19 is not evenly distributed across Calgary. Neighbourhoods hardest hit tend to be lower income suburban neighbourhoods with larger immigrant and visible minority populations.
An Assessment of the Employment Impacts of Covid-19 on Canada's Equity Seeking Workforce
This new report provides a national and provincial overview of the estimated impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable workers and those from equity-seeking communities. Across Canada, low-income, visible minority and recent immigrant workers have experienced the most significant employment impacts.
Exacerbating Canadians' Financial Stress: How Covid19 has Affected Inflation Measurement
The method Statistics Canada uses to calculate the Consumer Price Index doesn’t work well when there are big changes in consumer spending patterns, which is exactly what is happening due to COVID-19. In this guest blog, Arthur Berger discusses how current inflation calculations are misleading and work against the financial security of low and middle income Canadians. People in low income, such as seniors who depend on OAS and single parents who rely on child support payments or government social programs, will not receive the increase in income they need to keep pace with the rising cost of living. Taxpayers will also be adversely affected, as income tax brackets will move in the wrong direction. This will put more income into higher tax brackets even for people whose income did not increase. Read More ….
Arthur Berger retired in 2019 after 8 years as the head of data and statistics at the Bank of Canada. Prior to that, Arthur worked at Statistics Canada for 24 years.