February 2023 Earn*Save*Build is a monthly compilation of Financial Empowerment activities, resources and news in the Edmonton area. To subscribe, click here. | Confusion from Edmontonians who got tickets after street was cleared during parking ban City Administration is following up on complaints and confusion regarding those who seem to have been incorrectly ticketed during the current parking ban. Read more here. | What the Free Alberta Strategy gets wrong about Canada's banking system Bill 1, the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, is the centrepiece of the Free Alberta Strategy. Largely unnoticed in the Free Alberta Strategy’s recommendations is the creation of a provincial independent banking system. Read more about what is proposed here. | Rents may rise in Edmonton as vacancy rate hits 10-year low, affordability crunched Edmonton's rental vacancy rate hit a more than 10-year low last fall, meaning renters will be squeezed as they compete more for places to live and rents are expected to climb. Read more here. | Albertans will be getting more cash from the feds come the spring Some more cash is on the way for some Albertans, with the federal government announcing new changes to its climate action incentive payments. Read more here. | Fraudsters impersonating Alberta government in affordability payment scam Fraudsters are trying to take advantage of Albertans by impersonating the provincial government in a text message scam. Read more here. | Alberta announces details of inflation relief payments Albertans on income support programs automatically received the first instalment of the government’s inflation-relief payments at the end of the month, while other eligible residents can submit applications. Read more here. To enrol, click here. | What Albertans can expect from the economy in 2023 Economists and banks are forecasting that heavy inflation, volatile energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty will continue to be factors this coming year. Read more here. | Affordability grants for Albertans Described as the largest of its kind in Canada, Alberta’s Affordability Action Plan offers $2.8 billion in broad-based and targeted relief efforts for Albertans and their families, farms and small businesses.Read more here. | Upcoming Events and Opportunities | Lunch & Learn: Women’s Re-entry Post-incarceration: Challenges and Successes in Transitions Thursday, March 2, 2023, @ noon Over the past ten years, the number of women imprisoned in Canada increased by almost 30%.Previous research reveals the importance of socio-economic disadvantage, systemic discrimination, cultural dislocation, sexism, victimization, and criminalization as critical to understanding and supporting women as they transition to community after serving time in prison. Click here to learn more and register. | CPA Canada Financial Literacy series: Owning Your Financial Identity This on-demand, 6-part webinar series is all about empowering women to become masters of their finances. The courses: - What I would tell my younger self: Establish strong goals and habits asap
- The self-worth in net worth: get facts and confidence you need for financial empowerment
- Money for new moms: get on top of your finances before your new baby arrives
- Purposefully uncoupling: financial preparation can help ease the process
- The strong woman investor: learn the ropes of investing
- Just widowed: learn everything you need to know now to help you move forward when you are ready
Click here to learn more and register. | These are the Canada benefit payment dates for 2023 Click here for the list. | HelloSafe - a banking and insurance consumer guide HelloSafe.ca is a free website offering guides, comparison tools and calculators for Canadian consumers to compare banking, insurance, investment products and more. Click here. | Mastering Money Podcast: Household debt in Canada - a snapshot Join our expert Guy Gellatly, for an in-depth look at household debt in Canada and what the numbers mean for the average Canadian. Click here to listen.
The Last Act: Closing the book on your finances Getting your final affairs in order is an often-overlooked component of financial planning, it’s time to change that. Click here to enrol in this free, on demand webinar.
Request a financial literacy session in your community Choose from: adult, senior, newcomer, women, school, post-secondary, small and medium business, entrepreneur and NFP session. Click here to learn more.
The CRA's free webinars February 15: Benefits and credits for adults 65 years and older
March 8: Benefits and credits for newcomers to Canada
March 29: Benefits and credits for Indgenous people Click here to register. | Free Haircuts for Edmonton's Less Fortunate The Alberta Barber Academy offers free haircuts to the community all year long. Read here and here for more information.
$15 After School Youth Pass Keep kids fit and active with the City's new Youth Pass. Youth, ages 8-17, can access all of our recreation centre gyms, pools, fitness centres, drop-in activities and more for just $15/month. Or drop in for $2/day. This monthly membership can be purchased at any City of Edmonton recreation centre or on MoveLearnPlay.edmonton.ca. | WECAN Food Baskets The WECAN Food Basket Society is tailored specifically for individuals and families struggling to meet their basic needs by playing an important role in addressing food security in the City of Edmonton and surrounding areas. | | WECAN connects with individuals and families on limited and/or fixed incomes with a basket of fresh produce and frozen meat items. The program is designed to replenish the refrigerator the third week of the month when food supplies and funds are in short supply. As the food order has been prepaid, members need only go to their community depot to pick up their order. The WECAN program uses a pre-pay model (pay at the beginning of each month when money is available), purchases bulk wholesale food, uses community pop up locations, and staffs these community locations with dedicated volunteers on delivery day. The program appeals to folks on pensions, monthly pay periods, and/or limited incomes. Currently there are 25 depots across Edmonton and the surrounding area. For more information, or to sign up contact: | Vinnie's Treasure Shoppe Stop by 10306 112 Street and browse Vinnie's Treasure Shoppe! The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul's new store contains vintage furniture and collectibles. Payments accepted via cash, credit card or debit. Buyers are responsible for transporting their purchases. Hours: Tuesday 11am-4pm
Thursday 11 am - 4pm
Saturday 11am-4pm All proceeds go to support the Society’s service to those in need. | | Money Mentors offers free financial education programs that give you the tools to get out of debt, save money and become financially stable. You can win $500! To learn more, click here To learn about the Covid-19 Financial Supports: click here | | Community Resources - City of Edmonton, Community and Nonprofit Supports: click here
- Edmonton Social Planning Council: click here
- Edmonton Food Security Resources: click here
- Addiction and Mental Health Supports: click here
- Homeward Trust Resources: click here
- Alberta Health Services (Help in Tough Times): click here
- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (for workers and renters): click here
- REACH Edmonton Data Base: click here
- Public Health Agency of Canada: click here
- Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) Cost Comparison Tool: click here
- 211: Don't know where to turn for resources? Click here for assistance finding supports and resources in your community
| | - Prosper Canada's (Federal and Provincial Benefits) Wayfinder: click here
- You Can Benefit (Federal, Provincial and Municipal Beneftis): click here
- Benefits Finder: (Federal and Provincial Benefits): click here
| | Supports for Newcomers - Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership: click here
- Covid-19 Fact Sheets in 35 Languages: click here
- Income Tax Preparation: call 211 for nearest site
| | Financial Institutions All banks in Canada are providng special Covid-19 information: | | OSP On Site Placement is a not-for profit organization building inclusive community through employment-related services. OSP helps individuals with barriers to work connect with employers looking to broaden their inclusive hiring practices. They also support the good matching of individuals with employers for either permanent or temporary work. A variety of training programs and personalized assistance to both job seekers and employers are available. Click here to learn more. | | AB Child and Family Benefit Administered by CRA The Alberta child and family benefit (ACFB) is a tax-free amount paid to families that have children under 18 years of age. Families with an annual income under $24,467 are eligible to recieve $110.83 per month for an only or first child, and $55.41 per month for each subsequent child (up to 4 children). Families with an income exceeding $24,467, but less than $41,000 may be eligible for partial benefits. Click here to learn more. | Federal Government Improves Sickness Benefits Under the Employment Insurance (EI) System As of December 18, 2022, EI sickness benefits have been permanently extended from 15 weeks to 26 weeks. Individuals who qualify are now able to establish a new claim. To learn more, click here. | Financial Empowerment Program Are you living on a low income? Do you want to explore options to improve your financial situation? You have come to the right place. | | This program is free and confidential. Talk with a social worker about your financial questions and problems. They can connect you with resources and information to help you increase your financial security. Phone: 780-496-2800 (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Email communitywellness@edmonton.ca For more information, click here | Edmonton Financial Empowerment Collaborative (EFEC) EFEC consists of over 30 community partners, governments and businesses who work together to improve financial stability. To learn more: https://www.efec.ca/ | | CONSENT TO RECEIVE COMMERCIAL ELECTRONIC MESSAGES Sender of CEM: City of Edmonton, Citizen Services, P.O. Box 2359 Edmonton, AB, T5J 2R7 You have expressed an interest in recieving email communications from the City of Edmonton (which may include elements of a commercial nature). You may withdraw your consent to recieve email communications at any time by choosing the unsubscribe option.In order to respect the new CASL (Canada’s anti-spam legislation), we ask you to confirm your consent for receiving communications such as our: - Newsletters
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