There are currently 29 certified living wage employers in the landscape sector in Ontario. When we ask these business owners why they decided to certify, many answer with a variation of the same reason: 

More than a million workers in Ontario do not earn a living wage where they live—especially women and racialized workers. 

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculated this estimate using the 10 hourly living wage rates released by the Ontario Living Wage Network and applied them as a threshold  across the province. 

Our certification program started in 2016, and it has undergone several stages of growth and improvement. In 2023 we began collecting more information beyond just program compliance. We wanted to know about changes employers have noticed since becoming certified, and whether they attribute such changes to living wage certification. Here are the results of our 2024 certified employer survey...

It's Living Wage Week 2023, and as always, we lead off with the updated living wage rates. This year saw increases in all 10 regions, with the GTA as the highest at $25.05 and the Southwest (Windsor) coming in at $18.85. Use our interactive map to find your local rate.

Spring is in the air. For many, the retreat of the white stuff reveals a load of yard work and landscaping. We've put together a handy list and map of every certified living wage company that could help you prepare your grounds this season.

While many job postings in this sector begin at or near the minimum wage, these employers pay all workers at least a locally calculated living wage:

Ontario's minimum wage is set to increase to $16.55 an hour on October 1, 2023. While this is technically a raise for those at the very bottom of the wage scale, it's still far short of the living wage anywhere in the province.

Despite small wage increases over the last few years, we know that "...64 per cent of Canadian workers have experienced real wage losses over the past two years, after adjusting for inflation" via a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives economist David Macdonald. 

Here's how the $1.05 raise compares to regional living wages:

Fair compensation for employees translates to improved financial and overall well-being

TORONTO— Meridian marks an important milestone today in becoming the largest employer to become certified by the Ontario Living Wage Network. A living wage reflects an income that a worker must bring home in order to meet their basic living needs and participate more fully in life, work and community.

“Our employees power Meridian’s purpose and we have a commitment to support their financial security and economic well-being,” says Jay-Ann Gilfoy, President & CEO, Meridian. “As a Certified Living Wage Employer, we are building resilience and wealth in the communities where we live and work”