73% of Albertans struggle to buy food, clothing: Salvation Army report

Albertans, more than anywhere else in Canada, say they struggle to buy necessities like food and clothing.

That’s according to the recent fall poverty report by the Salvation Army.

The organization’s “Annual Canadian Poverty & Socioeconomic Analysis” shows 73 per cent of Albertans are struggling to manage their limited resources – up four per cent from September 2024. That’s well above the Canadian average of 64 per cent, and higher than any other region group in the country.

Eighty-six per cent of Alberta residents named the cost of living and inflation as their top worry – higher than any other region – and financial optimism has dropped more sharply than in any other province.

As a result, the Salvation Army says it’s seeing an increase in clients.

“On a regular basis, we serve 125