Minimum wage workers in Calgary struggling: report [Video]

Calgarians are struggling with rising costs more than ever and their paycheques aren’t keeping up, a new report says.

Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) announced Monday that Calgary’s living wage, the hourly wage that a worker needs to maintain their essential costs, has increased to $24.45 per hour.

That’s almost 63 per cent higher than Alberta’s current minimum wage.

“This year’s living wage demonstrates the impact of government policies on affordability. The increased childcare affordability grant and lower regulated electricity rates have contributed to a more affordable cost of living. However, the increased cost of housing and food has left many hard-working Calgarians skipping meals or living in overcrowded, unsafe conditions,” said Meaghon Reid, VCC’s executive director, in a news release.