Calgary’s Fight Against Poverty: Key Updates Released

Statistics Canada has released key updates to its Dimensions of Poverty Hub, now incorporating the 2023-base Market Basket Measure (MBM). This crucial initiative, backed by Employment and Social Development Canada, offers Canadians a clearer picture of poverty reduction efforts across the country. The updated data provides essential tools for policymakers and local agencies working to combat poverty in Calgary.

The MBM serves as Canada's Official Poverty Line, calculated based on the cost of a basket of goods and services needed for a modest, basic standard of living, including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, adjusted for local costs. For Calgary, the MBM threshold for 2024 was set at $59,471 for a reference family, an increase from previous years, reflecting persistent cost-of-living increases.

These updated statistics are particularly relevant for Calgary, where local organizations like Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) and its "Enough for All" strategy are actively working to address the complex challenges of poverty. VCC's Well-Being Dashboard, developed in partnership with YYC Data, showcases progress toward the city's poverty-reduction goals. While Calgary's income poverty rate saw a decrease to 9% in 2023 from 10.2% in 2022, recent data also indicates a concerning rise in food insecurity, with 31.9% of Calgarians experiencing it in 2023, a 28% increase from 2022.

The enhanced MBM data empowers Calgary's community-driven initiatives, such as Aspire Calgary's financial empowerment programs and the integrated support services offered by organizations like CUPS, to refine their strategies and better serve residents struggling with financial hardship. This data provides a more precise foundation for collaborative efforts across citizens, non-profits, businesses, and government to build a stronger, more supportive Calgary where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.