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Economic Performance:
Economy
Equity
Environment
Quality
of Life
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Economic
Performance: Calgary's Balanced Approach
Quality of Life
Quality of life is
an all-encompassing concept that attempts to capture well-being. One definition
of quality of life focuses on an individual's consciously perceived positive
and negative, cognitive and affective experience. The elements that affect
this experience include affordability, housing, mobility, physical environment,
culture and recreation, safety, sense of community and community participation.
Based on the United
Nations assessment, Canada has the highest quality of life in the world.
Alberta has the second highest human development index in Canada. The
Calgary region also has a high quality of life. The economy is prosperous,
with growing GDP and low unemployment; median wages are among the highest
in Canada. In terms of equity, there are specific issues of concern, such
as concentrated poverty, in general, and a growing issue of lack of affordability
for certain demographic groups. For example, over one-third of residents
spend over 30% of their income on housing. An issue of significant concern
is that Calgary is losing its cost of living advantage. Whereas traditionally,
people selected Calgary for both its quality of life and its relative
affordability, presently, Calgary's rate of inflation is among the highest
in Canada.
In terms of the environment,
water quality is high and air quality is improving. Open space is plentiful
with adequate space for recreation and sporting. In addition, recreational
facilities and opportunities are expanding. Calgary has western Canada's
largest Performing Arts Centre and private sector funding for the arts
is relatively high. Its sports and outdoor assets are world class.
Calgary is also doing
well in terms of the health and safety of its residents. Health care costs
are low in Alberta and life expectancy is high. Calgary routinely has
the highest life expectancy in the Western Region; 79.2 years in 1996.
The Calgary Regional Health Authority is working to reduce equity differences
in health care access. Calgary's infant mortality is among the lowest
in Canada. Calgary also has the lowest violent crime rate among the large
Canadian cities at 366 per 100,000 people, well below the North American
metropolitan average of 546. The property crime rate is commensurate with
the average rate for major Canadian cities.
Despite the overall
positive quality of life, there are warning signs that the Calgary region
must pay attention to and must address in a timely manner so as not to
jeopardize its economic growth or the sustainability of the region. Homeownership
costs are rising, more people are spending a larger proportion of their
income on rent, and there is a growing affordable housing gap. Congestion
is increasing and commutes are getting longer with the growth of the region
and the continued dependence on the automobile.
Some of the other
major challenges include growing disparity, and growing health and stress
issues as evidenced by such indicators as the rate of suicides which is
relatively high. These challenges need to be addressed if the Calgary
region is to stay on the path of sustainable prosperity.
The outlook for the
region and its ability to collaboratively confront these challenges appears
to be good. The healthy economy, the relatively low inequity, and the
attractive environment have fostered a strong sense of community, in spite
of or perhaps because of the region's diversity. Calgary is Canada's fourth
most diverse city.
Over three-fourths
of Calgarians belong to at least one civic organization with most volunteerism
involving health or environmental causes. In addition to their time, Calgarians
are also generous with their wealth.
Charitable donations
per tax filer in Calgary were second only to Toronto residents. This apparent
strong sense of community and involvement in community affairs renders
it more likely that the region can collaborate effectively to resolve
these issues and maintain a high quality of life.
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