Living Wage

Canmore’s 2022 Living Wage is $32.75 and is based on a weighted average of three household scenarios:

• Family of four (two income/two child): $36.15
• Lone parent (one income/one child): $47.15
• Single individual (one income): $29.00

Previous calculations followed the Canadian Living Wage Framework, which was only based on a family of four (two parent, two child household). 

Remuneration should never be based on family composition or lifestyle. The Living Wage is an indicator for community affordability and livability.  It represents the average income that residents need to grow, thrive, and actively participate in the community.

Community affordability is the responsibility of community, business, and all levels of government. 

The Town of Canmore is committed to finding ways to make the community more affordable by supporting community programs, such as Food and Friends, Vital Homes, and supporting free local Roam Transit. 

Click here for more information on how to access local programs/initiatives that increase community affordability.

The Alberta Living Wage network created the methodology for the living wage calculation, which aligns with both the Province of British Columbia’s and the Province of Ontario’s Living Wage Networks.

Previous calculations reflected the Canadian Living Wage Framework, which was based only on a family of four. The Alberta Living Wage Network amended the calculation to reflect multiple households and incorporate the different benefit and tax scenarios that are based on household size.  

Businesses have faced unprecedented challenges over the past several years. The intention of releasing new living wages for 2022 is not to add further stress to these businesses, but rather, to shed some light on what it actually costs to live in Alberta.

Wage is only part of the picture when understanding affordability. Maintaining a livable community where all individuals can thrive is the responsibility of community, businesses, and all levels of government. The Living Wage is not a tool designed to direct employee compensation but rather, is intended to shed light on how all systems, including employee benefit plans, government tax and benefit initiatives, and community programs can work together to create an affordable community.

Canmore is a municipal member of the Alberta Living Wage Network, and as a member, all Canmore business can work with network staff to quantify the impact that their employee benefit programs, such as employee meals, staff accommodation, health benefits, professional development, childcare support, corporate wellness accounts, or corporate savings plan, have on their employee’s income.

Local businesses are invited to work with the Alberta Living Wage Network to understand how employee benefits programs increase the impact of an employee’s wages. Connect with the Network to learn how to become a living wage employer  

The Living Wage represents the hourly wage that makes up the income an individual needs to earn in their career to grow, thrive, and actively participate in their community. It provides insight on community affordability and livability.  The Living Wage also provides municipalities with a way to evaluate the impact of community programs, such as Vital Homes or the Good Food Box, on living expenses. 

The Living Wage may also help employers quantify the impact that employee benefit programs, such as employee meals, staff accommodation, health benefits, professional development, childcare support, corporate wellness accounts, or corporate savings plan, have on the calculation of the wage  

To learn more about other Alberta Living Wage, click here

The Town of Canmore is founding member of the Alberta Living Wage Network. The web-based calculator that the Network uses to calculate the Living Wage for all Alberta communities was first created and piloted in Canmore.