Resources

Women’s equality a long way off in Alberta: Gender Gap Remains the Widest in the Nation (PDF), Parkland Institute and Alberta College of Social Workers, March 2012

This fact sheet shows that Alberta continues to lag behind the rest of the country in terms of women’s equality, wages, and family-related benefits and services. The wage gap for women in Alberta has actually increased since 1998. In 2009 women working full-time full-year in Alberta earn 68% of what men earn—a ratio that ties with Newfoundland and Labrador for the worst in the country. Click here for the media release.

Poverty Costs, An Economic Case for a Preventative Poverty Reduction Strategy in Alberta (PDF): This report was released in February 2012 by Vibrant Communities Calgary and Action to End Poverty in Alberta. Both are members of PIA's Human Services and Poverty Task Force, and PIA is assisting with the launch of this new report. The report calculates the external costs of poverty and makes an economic case for a preventative poverty reduction strategy in Alberta. Click here for the media release.

In This Together: Ending Poverty in Alberta (PDF), a report released in November 2011 by Public Interest Alberta, the Alberta College of Social Workers and the Edmonton Social Planning Council. This report shows that child poverty in Alberta increased by 40% in just one year. It also presents many recommendations that would benefit not only those individuals and families living in poverty, but will have a very positive impact on strengthening our communities and our economy.

2011 Low-Wage Statistics Fact Sheets for Alberta and its cities:

The latest available statistics showing the number of employed Albertans in each category for the calendar year ending March 31, 2011. Public Interest Alberta, with the support of the Alberta College of Social Workers, purchased and compiled this data from Statistics Canada.

Low-Wage Statistics Fact Sheets in PDF:

• Alberta and Calgary
• Alberta and Edmonton
• Alberta and Grande Prairie
• Alberta and Lethbridge
• Alberta and Medicine Hat
• Alberta and Red Deer
• Alberta and Wood Buffalo

Towards Resiliency for Vulnerable Youth, a United Way research report on the challenges and opportunities experienced by vulnerable youth.

Fact sheet on Budget 2011 from the Edmonton Social Planning Council, a member of PIA's Human Services & Poverty Task Force.

PIA reports from previous years:

Time for Action: Working together to end poverty in Alberta (2010), a report released in November 2010 by Public Interest Alberta and the Edmonton Social Planning Council.

We Must Do Better: It's time to make Alberta poverty-free (2009), a report put out by Public Interest Alberta, Edmonton Social Planning Council and the Bissel Centre in November 2009.

We Can Do Better: Toward an Alberta child poverty reduction strategy for children and families (2008), a report, released November 2008, by the Edmonton Social Planning Council in partnership with Public Interest Alberta.

Working Poor or Making a Living? The reality of low wages in Alberta (2007), a report by Public Interest Alberta, released September 2007.

Making a Living: Defining a living wage for Alberta (2006), a report by Public Interest Alberta released March 2006.