FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE DOES LITTLE TO HELP WORKING POOR
 
CALGARY: JUNE 1, 2011 – Minister Lukaszuk announced an increase of 60 cents to Alberta’s minimum wage today. “While we appreciate Minister Lukaszuk’s recognition that Alberta’s Minimum Wage has been too low, and thank him for the increase, we need to ask ourselves how many of the 300,000 working poor Albertans will be lifted out of poverty as a result of this increase - sadly, the answer is none.” Dan Meades, Director, Vibrant Communities Calgary.
 
The all-party review committee heard first-hand how Albertans working full-time earning minimum wage need to access the food bank and make difficult choices each month between food, diapers, transportation, and rent. Vibrant Communities Calgary and many other organizations provided evidence for a minimum wage that allows for a decent, safe standard of living. Vibrant Communities Calgary recommended a plan to phase in a minimum wage over the next two years that will at least reach the Low-Income Cut Off; $12.25/hr. The Alberta Minimum Wage Profile, compiled by the Government of Alberta, shows characteristics of these earners. Over half of minimum  wage earners are over the age of 25 and approximately 60% are women. More than 50% have more than 5 years work experience, and have earned at least a high school diploma.
 
“A two-tier wage system is an unfortunate development for those employees who will now even more heavily rely on the mood of their customers to stay above the poverty line.” Dan Meades, Director, Vibrant Communities Calgary. “Alberta already ranks last on several economic indicators for women, particularly troubling is the disparity between wages where women in Alberta make 66% of what men make, the worst wage disparity between men and women in the country. More women are poor in this province than men and 2/3 of minimum wage earners are women. This province has further marginalized women with this announcement today, I feel particularly insulted for the women who shared their experiences of living on low wages with the minimum wage review committee while trying to feed their children, pay for childcare, and housing.” Alexa Briggs, Associate Director Strategy and Research, Vibrant Communities Calgary. 
 
Albertans in poverty kept waiting for a Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy
 
As part of the minimum wage review, the all-party review committee unanimously recommended that Alberta undertake a Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy. “We are disappointed that the Minister did not mention the unanimous recommendation for an Alberta Poverty Reduction Strategy from the all-party review committee. Hundreds of thousands of Albertans continue to live in poverty without any indication that the government is going to take action”. Dan Meades.
 
Vibrant Communities Calgary is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively, with various stakeholders and partners, seeking to engage Calgarians and to advocate for long-term strategies that address the root causes of poverty in Calgary.  For more information on this initiative or Vibrant Communities Calgary, visit www.vibrantcalgary.com.

For more information or comment, please contact:
 
Dan Meades, Director
Vibrant Communities Calgary