Banff Town Council will consider a proposal on May 12, 2026, to investigate how using a living wage calculation could help shape local government policy. Councillor Marc Ledwidge has introduced a motion directing the Town to invite the Alberta Living Wage Network to present to Council on how such data could guide decisions regarding housing, transit, recreation, and family services.
A living wage is different from the provincially mandated minimum wage. While the minimum wage is a fixed hourly rate, a living wage represents the actual income required to cover basic costs in a specific community, such as housing, childcare, food, and transportation. This is determined by calculating a weighted average across three different household types: single adults, lone-parent families, and two-income families with two children.
Currently, Banff does not have an official living wage figure, as the town has not participated in the network’s annual reports. This initiative aligns with the 2025 Banff Community Plan, which includes a specific goal to foster a culture that aspires to provide a living wage for employees as part of the community wellbeing strategy.
Affordability remains a central concern in Banff, where housing demand consistently outstrips supply within the national park townsite. According to the town’s 2023 Community Social Assessment, Banff records the lowest median incomes for both single individuals and families when compared to other resort towns in Western Canada. For context, the nearby community of Canmore previously participated in the provincial network, though it has since withdrawn from the program.
If the motion passes, the presentation will provide Council with information on how this specific cost-of-living data could be integrated into municipal planning and policy efforts. Similar calculations in other regions, such as Jasper, have been used to track the economic needs of residents in high-cost areas.
