Podcast

Episode 40: Alberta's Gig Economy Gap

21 January 2026

Let's Talk Poverty is in black text in a red circle in the centre. Around it are headshots of Courtney Mo, Dr. Andrew McGee, a food delivery driver on a bike, and the Calgary skyline.
In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Michelle James sits down with Dr. Andrew McGee, associate professor at the University of Alberta and Courtney Mo, Director of Community Impact at Momentum, to discuss the findings of new research on Alberta’s Gig Economy. Led by the Calgary Social Policy Collaborative, this new report exposes the pressures facing Alberta’s gig workers and the policy tools that could better support them.

Published 21 January 2026

Last Updated 20 January 2026

White and red text on the top reads, "Alberta's Gig Economy Gap." Below it on the left is a red circle with black text inside, "Let's Talk Poverty." On the right are headshots of Courtney Mo and Dr. Andrew McGee.
Alberta’s gig workers make up 6% of the province’s workforce, but who are the people behind this statistic? 
Gig work allows for greater flexibility, but at what cost? 
In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Michelle James sits down with Dr. Andrew McGee, associate professor at the University of Alberta and Courtney Mo, Director of Community Impact at Momentum, to discuss the findings of new research on Alberta’s Gig Economy. Led by the Calgary Social Policy Collaborative, this new report exposes the pressures facing Alberta’s gig workers and the policy tools that could better support them. 
In this episode 
  • Find out which demographics make up Alberta’s gig workers and what kind of work they take on. 
  • Find out how much gig workers really make and the hours they put in to make ends meet. 
  • Learn how policy change can support all workers and impact well-being. 
Three key takeaways 
  • Gig workers in Alberta earn approximately $15,000 to $25,000 less annually than those in more conventional jobs. 
  • In Alberta, gig work is more common amongst women and older populations. 
  • Although the flexibility of gig work was noted as a benefit, concerns about safety, exploitation, and low pay were also raised during interviews with gig workers.    
About Dr. Andrew McGee 
Andrew McGee is a Professor of Economics at the University of Alberta. A labor economist, Prof. McGee's research includes studies of gig work, job search, gender gaps, and the role of personality in the labor market. Prof. McGee received his PhD in economics from the Ohio State University and was previously on the faculty of Simon Fraser University.  
About Courtney Mo 
Courtney is the Director of Community Impact at Momentum, a Calgary-based social enterprise. Courtney has worked in public policy research and advocacy on poverty reduction more than 10 years. 
About the Social Policy Collaborative 
The Calgary Social Policy Collaborative (SPC) is a group of community organizations working together to inform the development and implementation of public policy that improves the economic and social well-being of Calgarians and Albertans. The SPC is co-chaired by Vibrant Communities Calgary and The Alex. 
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  • Michelle James

  • Courtney Mo

  • Dr. Andrew McGee

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