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Economic Performance:
Economy
Equity
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of Life
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Economic
Performance: Calgary's Balanced Approach
Equity
Overall, and in comparison
to other large metropolitan areas in Canada, the Calgary region has a
lower rate of poverty and lower rates of poverty growth. Calgary's poverty
rate increased by 2.1% between 1990 and 1995; only Edmonton exhibited
a lower rate. The City of Calgary's poverty rate is also among the lowest-20.6%
compared to the average 25.6% for all Canadian metropolitan centres.
However, the specific
demographics of poverty are disturbing. Approximately half of all First
Nations people and recent immigrants live in poverty. Child poverty, while
lower than other metropolitan regions, is still quite high at 30%. As
research suggests that children who grow up in poverty are more likely
to have health problems and to achieve a lower level of educational attainment,
it is more likely that these children will experience poverty as adults.
The Calgary region
will need to address these inequities in a targeted and timely manner
to break this potential cycle of poverty which undermines the economic
growth of the region and the values that Calgarians hold dear.
Although, income distribution
improved in Alberta between 1965 and 1990, over the past five years income
inequality appears to have risen slightly. In Calgary, the wage gaps between
the average person and women and First Nations people remain substantial.
Homelessness in Calgary
has escalated significantly. In 2000 the Bi- Annual Homeless Count recorded
1,296 homeless persons, of which 168 were on the street. Over half of
the homeless were in fact employed, but had difficulties in finding affordable
housing.
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