Josh Hudson, co-chair of the Vital Signs committee for the Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta, discusses during a luncheon Monday the report that gives an overview of economic activity, housing, demographics and social trends.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The social and economic landscape in southeast Alberta is getting a new survey after five years, as local groups look to improve the outlook in the region.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta unveiled its 2023 Vital Signs report Monday to invited guests at a downtown restaurant.
It is the first full report undertaken since 2017 and looks to quantify how the community and its residents are dealing with economic and social issues.
The group will launch a series of “Vital Conversation” workshops in communities throughout the region in the spring and summer of 2024.
“It looks at major trends that are critical to our quality of life,” said Josh Hudson, co-chair of the CFSEA committee, which is concentrating on the report.
“We hope it sparks conversations so we can work together on solutions.”
The report details a number of aspects related to housing, employment, health and wellness, public safety and food security, but also delves into less quantifiable areas such as social connections and a sense of belonging or creative and active living.
It provides information on how the opioid crisis is affecting the region (deaths from overdose are increasing), the availability of family doctors (four in five residents have one), and aspects of youth mental health.
It also discussed demographics, civil society participation (such as volunteer rates) and economic conditions in the CFSEA’s area, from Special Areas to the Montana border and to the County of Newell.
Mayor Linnsie Clark also called the report a conversation starter, and that city hall in Medicine Hat will support groups with plans to make incremental change, which added up, can improve living situations for many in the city.
Economic growth needs to be considered in tandem with more social aspects of life, such as housing and childcare, according to recommendations of Verge Economic Development. That agency represents rural municipalities on the economic development front, and sees hurdles in rural broadband for business development.
In terms of food security, about 11,200 households access a food bank in 2022, marking a 21 per cent increase from the previous year, while the increase was 47 per cent in Brooks.
In terms of wages, data from the Alberta Living Wage Network stated that $17.50 per hour is required for a full-time worker to enjoy a level of financial security.
Previous studies have shown Medicine Hat has the highest percentage of low-wage and minimum wage earners in the province making $15.
“It’s a positive to have a low living wage,” said Franco Savoia, of the Living Wage Network, who said the area-specific calculation produces much higher numbers elsewhere. “But anyone in this province who makes $15 working full-time has to go to social agencies or family, or both, to make ends meet.”
At the same time, the median after tax household income in Medicine Hat was $80,700 in 2020, below only Cypress County ($88,000) in the region, but less than the provincial average of $83,000. The figure drops significantly in smaller communities.
One-fifth of Hatters and Redcliff residents pay more than the recommended 30 per cent limit on housing.
The Community Foundation awarded $1.1 million in grants to local charities and social service providers in 2023. Priority areas for grants in the year ahead will be initiatives to address community connections and basic needs.
