Putting Living Wages to Work for Poverty Reduction

What happens when local businesses decide to make a big impact, one paycheque at a time?

That’s the question behind the Living Wage Pilot Project. Led by Be Local, a values-based business network housed at Momentum, the pilot walked alongside businesses to explore what it really takes for them to move toward paying living wages. The pilot wrapped up in October, and the early results are showing immense promise.

Why Living Wages

Living wage is defined by the Alberta Living Wage Network as “the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in the community”.

In Calgary, the living wage rose from $18.60 in 2022 to $24.45 in 2024, reflecting sharp decline in affordability. For workers, that’s a growing gap between what they earn and what they need. For businesses, it’s a growing challenge to sustain good jobs while staying competitive.

The Living Wage Pilot was designed to navigate this tension, helping businesses explore practical pathways to paying living wages while maintaining financial stability.

Design and Delivery

The six-month pilot (May–October 2025) was designed after an extensive research process which sought to understand the existing landscape of supports and challenges. Four Calgary cleaning companies joined the pilot, led by their founders. The program unfolded in three learning “sprints.” At the start of each sprint, participants set specific goals and accessed a tailored mix of supports:

• Advisors, providing business and financial coaching
• Peer mentors, who were existing living wage cleaning companies who could share what worked for them, and;
• Peer learning sessions, which were opportunities to learn, problem-solve, and celebrate progress amongst participants

By the end of the program, each business was to exit with a concrete plan and timeline for achieving living wages.

“The Living Wage Program truly opened my eyes. It helped me understand how to better manage my financials so I can confidently provide my team with the wages they deserve.” 

— Judith Virag, Clean Club Calgary

Early Results

The impact is already clear:

• One business has already been certified as a living wage employer
• One business has applied and is waiting for certification as a living wage employer
• One business is on track to apply for certification by year-end
• One business has made major progress toward financial sustainability and continues to work towards wage increases

Together, these four businesses employ more than 50 people, representing 50 Calgarians and their loved ones who are benefiting from increased financial wellness and the ability to participate in community.

And it’s not only employees who benefit. When reflecting on her living wage experience, one participating business owner, Mariya Podeyko with AM Cleaning, said "Paying people fairly creates stability, loyalty, and excellence. The pride our staff feel shows up on every surface we touch."

What’s Next

Be Local will be following the results of this pilot closely and will continue to show-up and provide support for its participants as they navigate what’s next on their living wage journey.

Momentum sees the Living Wage Pilot as more than just a program. It’s a model that shows that when local business owners are given the tools, data, and community they need, they can lead meaningful change from the ground up. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when values meet action.

Momentum is looking forward to building on this effort, expanding living wage support across Calgary’s business community and beyond.

Learn more about Be Local and the work they do by visiting their website.