The Alberta legislature in Edmonton THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
The number of Albertans receiving provincial income support has reached a five-year high.
As of October, almost 57,500 residents were getting income support.
Comparing the same month in previous years, it’s the highest since 2019, when almost 61,000 were receiving income support.
A government report on the data says the drop was largely attributable to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, or CERB, which was rolled out by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the CERB program was disbanded, Alberta’s provincial income support numbers started increasing again.
In October 2023 they reached nearly 48,000, then they grew by 20 per cent in 2024.
The provincial funding helps low-income or unemployed individuals and families cover basic expenses, including food and shelter. Those eligible can also receive financial assistance for child care, school expenses and help leaving family violence.
University of Calgary economics professor Ron Kneebone says the growth in recipients is likely a result of Albertans getting back on the provincial program after receiving CERB.
He said factors like unemployment rates, the cost of living and well paying jobs can’t be discounted when discussing the evident demand for social assistance programs like income support and food banks in the province.
Statistics Canada pegged Alberta’s unemployment rate last month at 7.5 per cent — the fourth highest in the country, even though the province gained 24,000 new jobs in November.
During November’s fiscal update, Finance Minister Nate Horner said his department expects the provincial unemployment rate to stay around the same mark in 2025.
Population growth was another factor behind the increase.
Alberta’s population grew by about 3.9 per cent, or 186,704 people, between Oct. 1, 2023 and the same time last year.
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