Despite an increase in cost of living expenses, the 2017 living wage for the Niagara Region has risen only modestly from last year’s calculation of $17.47, thanks in part to the recently introduced federal Canada Child Benefit (CCB).

“Providing wages that allow a family to meet its basic household needs is one important tool to address cost of living challenges in Niagara region and should be top of mind of all employers,” says Walker. “However, the reality is that many Niagara region businesses are struggling themselves to stay afloat, so other solutions must also be considered to help make life more affordable, such as improved public transit and access to more affordable child care.”

I am pleased to announce the continued support of the Kindred Credit Union to the Ontario Living Wage Network. Not only is this financial institution a living wage employer, they are now leading the way by funding our first ever Employer Program Manager in order to extend the reach of this important initiative. 

Since we first started the Ontario Living Wage Network in 2014, our core mission has been to help businesses and organizations become certified living wage employers. Every business and organization is different and the process can take several months, but it is always gratifying to present the plaque and decals to the proud and latest certified living wage employers. 

Until now it has been a side-of-the-desk type job. The dedicated people across the province who make up the OLWN all have positions and responsibilities at other organizations. We take time from those commitments to travel to communities, organize launches and do the work of the OLWN.

Happily, processing the influx of requests and inquiries from prospective living wage employers is so great the need for an Employer Program Manager has become clear. Anne Coleman, who has experience with the Waterloo Region LW program, will be dedicating one full day a week making sure all employers are engaged and the communities have the support they need. 

The introduction of an Employer Program Manager is a significant step and extending the work and influence of OLWN wouldn’t be possible without Kindred Credit Union and their commitment to the values of decent work and community building. 

Thank you.

$16.03

After yesterday's provincial government announcement of the increase to the minimum wage to $15 over the next few years, everyone is talking about the value of #decentwork.

So with a great sense of timing the living wage community of St. Thomas-Elgin has released it's latest calculation at $16.03. This is the hourly rate needed for two income earners, working 37.5 hours per week year round to support a family of four with two children aged 3 and 7.

One storyline not to be missed here is the impact of the Canada Child Benefit. Not present for the last calculation in 2015, this federal program lowered the cost of raising children in 2017. And so the living wage for St. Thomas-Elgin is $0.44 per hour lower. The living wage is a live calculation, and it demonstrates the value of public services.

The Living Wage for St. Thomas-Elgin is calculated to reflect the current reality and build awareness about the true cost to live and participate in our communities.

Click to view the PDF report and brochure from Living Wage St. Thomas-Elgin.

For any questions and inquiries, please contact:

Kellie Coelho

519-631-9800 ext. 238

[email protected]

Today fifteen certified living wage employers signed, sealed and delivered a letter to Premier Wynne, the leader of the Official Opposition Mr. Brown, and Leader of the NDP Ms. Horwarth. 

The letter urges Ontario to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour with annual cost-of-living increases for workers. 

Until recently, any discussion about raising the minimum wage included business leaders and pundits speculating about job loss and other unproven effects on the markets. 

But something is shifting. More often we are hearing from responsible business leaders who see the value in paying a decent wage.

Please share this page far and wide. We need to prove to our political leadership that Ontario is ready to do better. 

Download the PDF here...

Toronto can add one more living wage employer to the list: Fresh From the Farm meat and produce market. They carry local farm-fresh meats, raised without hormones or drugs from Ontario Amish and Mennonite farmers. They also carry eggs, dairy, produce and more.

Honestly if I wasn't loaded down with a camera bag, I would have walked out with two armfuls of groceries. Everything looked amazing. It's the kind of place you boast about having in your neighbourhood. And if you live in Toronto's east end, you can now boast that you shop at a local market that pays a living wage. 

Fresh from the Farm is Located at 350 Donlands Avenue, one block south of O'Connor, and is open Monday-Friday 10 am – 7 pm;  Saturday 9 am – 5 pm.

Visit the website of the newly-announced Better Way Alliance, and you will recognize more than a few OLWN faces. They are a group of employers committed to a better way to build the economy. In their words: 

There is a myth that the “high turnover and low-pay” model is the secret to success in business. But many employers see things differently. We know from experience that a commitment to decent work makes good economic sense. By speaking out, we hope to open up the conversation about what makes the most sense today.

Read the Toronto Star story here.

Watch the CTV story here.

We are sometimes asked to share photos, logos, slides and infographics. In order to share these resources, I've created a Flickr account for the Ontario Living Wage Network.

Everything is public and downloadable and arranged in albums. When you click on a photo or graphic you'd like, you'll see a download button at the bottom-right corner. 

All assets have been created or commissioned by the OLWN, and to use them in print or online, please use Creative Commons non-commercial attribution:

Photo by OLWN / CC BY

Teacher Ryan Kelly belongs to a union where every member earns a living wage.

But the women who run the cafeteria at the Whitby high school where Kelly taught math and computer science last year make just $11.50 an hour, nowhere near enough to have a decent quality of life, he says.

Kelly wants that to change.

He wants the Durham District School Board to become a living wage employer and ensure everyone working in area schools — including contract employees like cafeteria staff — earns a living wage.

Read the full story here.

From an op-ed written by Bishops Douglas Crosby and Michael Bird of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton:

Establishing living wages holds the promise to transform the lives of so many in our province; providing a decent quality of life with opportunities to fully participate in our society through recreation, culture, and entertainment. If we implement a fair minimum wage in Ontario the very fabric of our society would be transformed for the better.

Of course many will argue their budgets simply won't allow for this practice to be implemented. We understand the challenges to make ends meet. But such challenges do not absolve us of our responsibility and we must be steadfast in moving toward the vision of a society where all have enough.

Read the full Hamilton Spectator op-ed here.