Calgary’s 2009-2014 Social and Economic Outlook

For the next five years, Calgary’s nonprofit and voluntary sector can expect a lot of changes as a myriad of economic and social trends will impact our communities.

That’s the message Derek Cook, Research Social Planner for The City of Calgary, presented during an event hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (CCVO) on January 14. The second annual Calgary and Region Social and Economic Outlook event was held in the Kahanoff Building and was attended by 93 representatives from the sector.

“We were very pleased with the sold-out crowd,” said CCVO’s Workforce Development Director Michael Grogan. “The session was informative and interesting. Derek shared a wealth of knowledge and our hope is that everyone who attended will take what they’ve learned back to their own organizations and work through the implications and opportunities.”

Other predictions from now until 2014 include the following:
•    Lower interest rates and moderating inflation may alleviate financial pressure on low and moderate income families
•    Lower home equity and tighter consumer credit may increase financial pressure on debt-laden households
•    Rising unemployment rates will slow recent wage gains
•    Slower economic population growth may ease housing pressures
•    Recession may increase migration, which increase demand for social services
•    Reduced charitable donations from lower corporate earnings
•    Easing of labour shortage may alleviate human resource pressures on voluntary organizations
•    Population ageing will continue to impact local labour force and society
•    Financial crisis may delay retirement and increase financial need among seniors
•    Increasing numbers of persons with disabilities and growing cultural diversity will continue to impact the delivery of community services

Click here to view Mr. Cook’s PowerPoint presentation. More information can also be found on The City of Calgary website under Social Outlooks.