The Calgary Squeeze: How the Sandwich Generation is Reaching a Breaking Point

CALGARY, AB — The city's middle-income earners are burning out under a phenomenon known as the Sandwich Generation squeeze—a financial and emotional compression that's turning high-earning households into high-stress households.

What is the Sandwich Generation?

The term "Sandwich Generation" refers to a demographic of adults—typically in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—who are "sandwiched" between the simultaneous obligations of raising their own children and caring for aging parents. In 2026, this group is stretched thinner than ever. They aren't just providing emotional support; they are managing complex medical schedules for seniors while navigating a hyper-competitive school system for their kids, all while anchored to the peak of their professional careers.

While Calgary's economy continues to hum, families earning $120,000 or less are facing a triple threat:

• Grocery Inflation: Prices are up 4–6% this year, adding roughly $1,000 annually to the budget of a family of four.
• Housing Shifts: Apartments now make up 60% of all new housing starts in the city. With single-family builds down significantly, multi-generational families are finding it harder to secure the square footage needed for aging parents.
• The Time Tax: An average of 19–30 hours per week is now spent on unpaid caregiving duties by those in the "sandwich" position.

The Pressure in the Middle

The "squeeze" in Calgary is intensified by a widening cost-of-living gap. Calgary's weighted average living wage has risen to $26.50 per hour ($24.64 for a family of four), according to the late 2025 report from Vibrant Communities Calgary. With the provincial minimum wage remaining at $15, that gap ripples upward.

Middle-tier earners often find themselves "too wealthy" for many social subsidies but not wealthy enough to outsource the heavy lifting of caregiving. This forces households in the six-figure range to privately cover the rising costs for both their children and their fixed-income parents, who are struggling with Calgary's increased property taxes and utility rates.

The Career Cost

Over 60% of sandwich caregivers in Canada report that caregiving duties have directly impacted their job or career progression. In Calgary, this often means high-earning professionals—directors, producers, and project managers—are quietly turning down promotions or shifting to hybrid roles not for "work-life balance," but for survival.

"Decision fatigue is real," said one Calgary caregiver. "By the time I've figured out dairy-free dinners for the kids and soft-chew meals for my parents, I have nothing left for creative strategy at work."

The Policy Response

Calgary has moved to address the physical space required for multi-generational living. City Council’s 2023 Housing Strategy and subsequent bylaws enabled the "laneway shift"—secondary suites and backyard housing that were once luxury add-ons are now becoming a necessity for housing aging grandparents nearby.

Just this month, the city invested $29.3 million into non-market housing through its 2023-2026 Service Plans, including specific multi-generational projects in Skyview Ranch. Provincially, the Alberta Special Needs Assistance for Seniors program provides up to $5,872 annually for eligible seniors—a vital lifeline for caregivers trying to buy back a few hours of their week.

Resources for the Sandwich Generation

Experts recommend three immediate actions for Calgarians feeling the pressure:

1. Explore Secondary Suite Options: Calgary’s updated zoning rules make backyard suites more accessible. For many, having a parent in a laneway house is the most viable way to balance caregiving with family privacy.
2. Audit Provincial Supports: Ensure your parents are accessing the Alberta Special Needs Assistance for Seniors, which can cover housekeeping and personal items, potentially saving the primary caregiver thousands in out-of-pocket costs.
3. Leverage Workplace Flexibility: If you are in a high-stress role, reassess your flexibility needs. In 2026, hybrid work isn't just a perk; for the Sandwich Generation, it is a critical tool for managing two generations of care.

The financial and emotional weight on Calgary's middle class is significant. In 2026, the goal for many isn't just moving up the corporate ladder—it's making it through the week without burning out.