A new report on emergency food assistance highlights that there is no end in sight for food assistance measures started in response to the pandemic

News Release: “More than hampers” required to combat alarming level of food insecurity In Calgary

Vibrant Communities Calgary and the Canadian Poverty Institute partner together to engage municipal candidates in the upcoming municipal election.

Poverty profiles outline the incidence of poverty in each Ward of Calgary

The Canadian Poverty Institute is an inter-disciplinary institute housed within Ambrose University that seeks to heal poverty through teaching, research and public education.

Creating a city where poverty cannot exist is an ambitious goal. It means having a city where our health, education, childcare, and transportation systems meet our needs. A city where jobs pay living wages, and our income support programs meet our basic needs. But it’s what Enough for All strives to attain.

We know that poverty is about so much more than just income. In Beneath the Surface - the layers of poverty in Calgary we look beneath the surface of the metrics, and to learn the story behind them. Looking at these multifaceted layers helps us measure what matters and uncover solutions that will chart a better path forward.

View a summary of Beneath the Surface - the layers of poverty in Calgary.

BeneaththeSurface-CommunityWellbeingReport.pdf

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 resulted in shifts in the way that organizations and community-based initiatives provide food and revealed gaps and opportunities within the emergency food system. 

In order to better understand and develop recommendations to improve Calgary’s emergency food assistance program, the Canadian Poverty Institute and Vibrant Communities Calgary published Examining Calgary’s Emergency Food Assistance System in March 2021. The purpose of the research was to explore the scope of food insecurity in Calgary in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, assess the effectiveness of the current emergency food system, and identify opportunities for improving the effectiveness of the emergency food assistance system. 

More than a year later, challenges and disruptions continue to shape Canada’s food systems. The resiliency and adaptability of the system is continually tested, and it remains unclear which changes to the Canadian food system, from the COVID-19 pandemic, will be permanent. This report serves as an update to Examining Calgary’s Emergency Food Assistance System. The purpose is to follow up on the recommendations developed from the original study, and examine which changes were temporary or permanent. It also seeks to document stories from the community; celebrating innovative projects and lessons learned. 

The State of Calgarys Emerg Food Assistance System 2022 (1).pdf

Examining Calgarys Emergency Food Assistance System.pdf

Examining Calgarys Emergency Food Assistance System - Exec Summary.pdf

The State of Calgary's Emergency Food Assistance System

Vibrant Communities Calgary and the Canadian Poverty Institute have released a publication outlining the incidence of poverty with poverty-specific data related to Calgary’s 14 wards. 

This information can be used to stimulate debate and highlight poverty as a key election issue with local candidates.

The goal is for municipal candidates to use these profiles to inform their platforms and priority issues and consider how other orders of government and community organizations could address the various issues of poverty. In addition, voting Calgarians can use the information to form questions to ask candidates how they will support and advance poverty reduction if elected.

Both quantitative (numerical data) and qualitative (descriptive data) methods were used to create the profiles for each Ward. Calgarians participated in an online questionnaire designed to give insight into some of the top issues and concerns in each ward. Along with information on what is working well and what solutions are needed to address the various aspects of poverty in each ward.

Poverty is not always visible. Each of the 14 Wards in Calgary have things in common such as a strong sense of community and groups that help community members and residents. At the same time, these profiles are further evidence that poverty exists in each Ward, where people are struggling with access to affordable housing, mental health, transportation, childcare, access to appropriate cultural supports, and food security.

Poverty In Calgary - Calgary Municipal Ward Poverty Profiles.pdf

Poverty exists along a continuum from those not at immediate risk of poverty to those living in conditions of deep poverty. This report examines the characteristics of those at risk of living in income poverty with income just above the poverty line, as well as those in shallow and deep poverty.

risk-and-depth-of-poverty-in-calgary_socio-demographic-profile.pdf

The Risk and Depth of Poverty in Calgary: A Socio-Demographic Profile

Canadian Poverty Institute

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Articles & events by this contributor

News Release: “More than hampers” required to combat alarming level of food insecurity In Calgary

Poverty profiles outline the incidence of poverty in each Ward of Calgary

Resources by this contributor

Community Wellbeing Report

The State of Calgary's Emergency Food Assistance System

Calgary Municipal Ward Poverty Profiles

The Risk and Depth of Poverty in Calgary: A Socio-Demographic Profile