Quality of Life
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Quality of Life
The Royal Bank Housing Affordability Index measures a house price in relation to the total payments required for a mortgage, utilities and property tax. The higher the measure, the more difficult it is to afford a house. On this basis, as of Q1 2010, Calgary offers more affordable housing than Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and the National average for a standard two-storey house.
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Housing Affordability Summary Table (Standard two-storey) |
|
Region |
Average Price |
Y/Y |
Qualifying Income ($) |
Affordability Index (%) |
|
|
Q1 2010 |
% Change |
Q1 2010 |
Q1
2010 |
Q4 2009 |
|
Canada |
$367,800 |
11.0% |
$82,300 |
46.8% |
46.7% |
|
Toronto |
$556,800 |
12.9% |
$119,700 |
58.5% |
58.4% |
|
Montreal |
$324,600 |
9.5% |
$74,200 |
49.4% |
48.9% |
|
Vancouver |
$762,900 |
16.1% |
$149,200 |
80.9% |
77.5% |
|
Ottawa |
$351,300 |
8.0% |
$84,600 |
41.3% |
41.5% |
|
Edmonton |
$367,700 |
8.9% |
$83,100 |
37.6% |
38.7% |
|
Calgary |
$432,200 |
10.6% |
$90,900 |
38.3% |
39.2% |
Source: RBC Housing Affordability, May 2010
The Calgary Health Region is the largest fully integrated, publicly-funded health care system in Canada. It serves the city of Calgary as well as numerous rural communities stretching from the mountains to the prairies. Approximately 23,000 staff and 2,200 physicians provide services in over 100 locations, including 12 acute care sites, 2 comprehensive health centres, 41 care centres and a variety of community and continuing care sites.
The four
Calgary hospitals have a combined total of more than 2,164 beds. All provide 24-hour emergency care and operate as trauma centres for southern Alberta, southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Saskatchewan. The new Alberta Childrenýs Hospital is the first new freestanding children's hospital to be built in Canada in more than 20 years.
Mercer Human Resources Consultingýs worldwide quality of life survey ranked Calgary as the worldýs cleanest city (health and sanitation) in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
For additional information on HEALTH, visit:
http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/liveWorkPlay/Live/health.cfm
Calgary has one of the highest visible minority rates in Canada
ý 3rd only to Toronto and Vancouver
ý Calgaryýs top visible minority groups include: Chinese, Southern Asian and Filipino
Only 19.4 per cent of Calgaryýs total population identify Canada as their country of origin ý among Calgariansý most prevalent origins are: England, Scotland, Germany and Ireland.
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Population by Selected Ethnic Origin
CalgaryCensus Metropolitan Area |
|
|
Total responses |
|
|
Number |
Distribution |
|
Total population |
1,070,295 |
|
|
English |
291,370 |
27.2% |
|
Scottish |
223,000 |
20.8% |
|
Canadian |
207,790 |
19.4% |
|
German |
182,940 |
17.1% |
|
Irish |
175,575 |
16.4% |
|
French |
109,180 |
10.2% |
|
Ukrainian |
76,240 |
7.1% |
|
Chinese |
75,410 |
7.0% |
|
East Indian |
48,270 |
4.5% |
|
Polish |
47,925 |
4.5% |
|
Dutch (Netherlands) |
47,650 |
4.5% |
|
Norwegian |
35,935 |
3.4% |
|
Italian |
33,645 |
3.1% |
|
Russian |
30,975 |
2.9% |
| Filipino |
26,680 |
2.5% |
|
North American Indian |
26,110 |
2.4% |
|
Welsh |
25,935 |
2.4% |
|
Swedish |
25,410 |
2.4% |
|
British Isles; n.i.e. |
23,205 |
2.2% |
|
American (USA) |
22,015 |
2.1% |
|
Hungarian (Magyar) |
18,805 |
1.8% |
|
Danish |
17,735 |
1.7% |
|
Mýtis |
16,280 |
1.5% |
|
Spanish |
14,635 |
1.4% |
|
Vietnamese |
14,285 |
1.3% |
|
Austrian |
12,410 |
1.2% |
|
Romanian |
9,470 |
0.9% |
|
Lebanese |
8,225 |
0.8% |
|
Czech |
7,200 |
0.7% |
|
Numbers will not add due to total responses being combination of single and multiple responses. |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census
For additional information on DEMOGRAPHICS, visit:
http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/liveWorkPlay/Live/demographics.cfm
Calgary is a dynamic centre for learning, offering outstanding educational option from pre-school to the city's post-secondary institutions. Calgary's learning environment profiles a variety of world-class programs to prepare its students for the challenges that lie ahead.
Elementary and Secondary Schools
When it comes to selecting a school, parents and students can choose from a wide range of options. They can select from public schools, Catholic schools, francophone schools, private schools, and charter schools. They can also access a number of unique and innovative programs - including home education, online/virtual schools, outreach programs and alternative programs. Parents can also opt to home school their children.
Public and Separate Schools
Calgary Board of Education
The CBE's purpose as a public education system is to ensure that quality learning is accessible to all students.
ý Founded the first public school in 1884
ý 98 380 (projected 2006-2007) total student enrollment in public schools
ý 219 schools in total
ý 131 elementary schools
ý 16 elementary/ junior high schools combined
ý 34 junior high schools
ý 4 junior/senior high schools combined
ý 19 senior high schools
ý 15 special programs
Calgary Catholic School Division
The mission statement of the Calgary Catholic School District is "a learning organization that empowers students to reach their full potential to meet the challenges of life to serve their community and to journey in faith with God through Christ in the Spirit".
ý Founded in 1885
ý 44,000 total student enrollment in Catholic schools
ý 98 total number of Catholic schools
ý 49 elementary schools
ý 1 elementary/ junior/ senior high school combined
ý 29 elementary/junior high schools combined
ý 6 junior high schools
ý 2 junior/senior high school combined
ý 9 senior high schools
ý 2 schools for special need students
Francophone Schools
Under the law, parents whose first language is French have a constitutional right to have their child educated in French where there are enough students to warrant it. They also have the right to govern these schools themselves.
Charter Schools
Alberta is the first province in Canada to establish Charter Schools in which Calgary has six. The Charter School is a public school operated independently under a performance approval contract approved by either the local school broad or the Minister of Education. It is attended by choice and may charge tuition or discriminate in student admissions. It must teach the mandated provincial curriculum although each school's charter is a unique and specific contract that emphasizes results.
Private Schools
Private Schools have been officially recognized in
Alberta since 1946. Parents may chose to educate their children outside the public education system by enrolling them in the private school system. Private schools may charge tuition and other fees as required. There are two kinds of private schools in the province- accredited private schools and registered private schools. There are approximately 65 private schools in Calgary.
Home Education/ Blended Programs
Parents who choose to educate their children at home assume primary responsibility for delivering and supervising their child's courses of study and work as partners with a school board or accredited private school to ensure the child's educational goals are being met. A "blended program" is an educational program that consists of two distinct parts: an in-school program where a teacher employed by a school board or accredited private school is responsible for providing for the delivery and evaluation of courses and a Home Education program that meets the requirements of the Home Education Regulation.
Online (Virtual) Programs
An Online program is a program offered by a school that is delivered electronically at a school site or off-campus, under the instruction and complete supervision of a certificated teacher of a board or accredited private school.
Outreach Programs
An Outreach program provides an educational alternative for students who, due to individual circumstances, find that the traditional school setting does not meet their needs.
Alternative Program
With a few exceptions, an "alternative program" generally means an education program that (a) emphasizes a particular language, culture, religion or subject-matter, or (b) uses a particular teaching philosophy.
See Albertaýs K-12 Education System for additional information.
Post-Secondary Institutions
Calgary's post-secondary system represents a wide array of institutions, program types, and subject areas. Individually, these institutions have competitive strengths; as a whole, they provide a continuum of education offerings that help to meet the diverse needs of adult learners and employers in the region. Calgary has the highest rate of post-secondary institution attendance in Canada, at a rate of 73%.
Public Institutions
Calgary is served by five public institutions whose main campus is located within the Calgary Region, including one university, one technical institute and five public colleges.
ý University of Calgary
ý Mount Royal University
ý SAIT Polytechnic (SAIT)
ý Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD)
ý Bow Valley College
ý Olds College
ý The Banff Centre
The Calgary region is also served by three public institutions that have, or are planning to have, satellite campuses in the City of Calgary but whose main campus is located elsewhere in the province.
ý University of Lethbridge
ý Athabasca University
ý Olds College
Private Institutions
In addition to the diverse learning opportunities available through the public post-secondary institutions in the Calgary region, private organizations also play an important role in Calgary's post-secondary system.
ý St. Mary's University College
ý Alliance University College / Nazarene University College
ý DeVry Institute of Technology - Calgary
ý University of Phoenix - Calgary Campus
Private Vocational Schools
There are approximately 45 private training institutions in the Calgary region that offer programs licensed by Alberta Advanced Education under the Private Vocational Schools Act. Among the larger private organizations in Calgary's post-secondary system are:
ý Columbia College
ý Academy of Learning
ý CDI College
Headcount (2007/2008) for Selected Post-Secondary Institutions
ý University of Calgary 30,524
ý Southern Alberta Institute of Technology 28,660
ý Mount Royal College 12,676
ý Bow Valley College 8,119
ý ACAD 1,316
ý Olds 3,127
For additional information on EDUCATION, visit:
http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/liveWorkPlay/Live/education.cfm
The Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services are Calgaryýs three essential services that come together to create a city in which citizens and visitors feel safe and secure.
In 2003, Calgary was the first municipality in Canada to receive two Safe Community designations simultaneously: one from the national Safe Communities Foundation and the other from the World Health Organization.
Mercer Human Resources Consultingýs worldwide quality of life survey ranked Calgary among the worldýs safest cities in terms of personal safety and security.
For additional information on SAFETY, visit: http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/liveWorkPlay/Live/safety.cfm
Calgaryýs thriving arts scene reflects the cityýs history of spirited enterprise and its accessible recreational opportunities promote personal growth and well-being.
Arts
Among Calgaryýs premier performing arts attractions are the Alberta Ballet, Calgary Opera and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Calgary Arts & Culture Organizations |
|
Organization Type |
# |
|
Dance |
6 |
|
Galleries |
23 |
|
Literature |
8 |
|
Museums |
10 |
|
Music |
35 |
|
Theatre |
35 |
|
Major Attractions |
17 |
|
Festivals |
11 |
For additional information on ARTS & CULTURE, visit:
http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/LiveWorkPlay/Play/artsAndCulture.cfm
For additional information on FESTIVALS & ATTRACTIONS, visit:
http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/liveWorkPlay/Play/festivalsAndAttractions.cfm
Recreation
With approximately 635 km of pathways and 260 km of on-street bikeways within its boundaries, The City of Calgary boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
More than 93% of Calgarians use the cityýs parks regularly, making more than 60 million visits each year.
- 7500 hectares of land in excess of 3400 sites
- 975 playgrounds
- 410 ball diamonds
- 500 soccer and football fields
- 180 tennis courts
- 335,000 trees
- 120 dog off-leash areas
Calgary's amazing community spirit can be seen in many different activities, such as in the active support of our four professional sports teams in hockey, football, baseball and lacrosse.
For additional information on RECREATION & LEISURE, visit:
http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/liveWorkPlay/Play/recreationLeisure.cfm
Calgary ranks 1st out of Canadaýs 100 largest cities
ý Over 2,300 hours of sunshine annually
ý Sunniest days year-round and in winter
ý Alberta boasts most comfortable weather in Canada
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Calgary weather norm fast facts: |
|
Summer temperature (June ý August) |
|
Daily average |
15.2C |
59.4F |
|
Daily maximum |
21.9C |
71.4F |
|
Winter temperature (December ý February) |
|
|
|
Daily average |
-7.5C |
18.5F |
|
Daily maximum |
-1.4C |
29.5F |
|
Rainfall per year |
321mm |
12.6 inches |
|
Snowfall per year |
127cm |
50 inches |
Source: Environment Canada
For additional information on CLIMATE & WEATHER, visit:
http://www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com/liveWorkPlay/Live/climateAndWeather.cfm
Want to learn more about Calgary? Visit www.liveincalgary.com
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