EDMONTON – A report released by an Edmonton organization shows the economic downturn in Alberta is having a negative impact on people who live in the capital city.
The Edmonton Social Planning Council’s Tracking the Trends indicates Edmonton is entering a period of increased uncertainty because of the drop in oil and natural gas prices.
READ MORE: Housing starts trending down in Calgary, Edmonton due to soft economy
According to the report, the economic downturn has affected the city in several areas:
- The number of people receiving Employment Insurance regular benefits went up 55 per cent during the first eight months of 2015, compared to the previous year;
- 9.1 per cent jump in the number of Edmonton homes receiving social assistance benefits in the first nine months of this year, compared to 2014;
- The number of people receiving assistance from Edmonton’s Food Bank in March 2015 was up 15. 4 per cent, 14,794 people, compared to March 2014.
Tracking the Trends also indicates having a full-time job doesn’t mean Edmontonians avoid poverty. In 2011, 59 per cent of children living in poverty had at least one parent working full-time all year round.
READ MORE: The big slowdown: as Alberta economy cools, ripple effects spread
There are positive trends in the report, including an improvement in the percentage of Edmontonians completing high school and post secondary programs.
The report combines 22 indicators group into five categories into a Social Health Index.
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