Living Wage: The living wage is what a worker needs to earn, per hour, at 40 hours per week, in order to make ends meet where they live.

How is the Living Wage calculated?

The calculation looks at major expenses that workers face such as shelter costs, transportation, childcare, and food. Also taken into account are other expenses such as internet access, a modest annual vacation, and clothing. Any applicable government taxes, transfers, and benefits are factored in as well, and which results in an hourly wage that a worker must earn in order to make ends meet where they live.

For Bruce Grey, 3 demographic profiles were used to generate the standardized Living Wage for Bruce Grey:

• Single person: $23.93 ($23.01 – 2023)
• Single parent with 2 children: $26.82 ($27.20 – 2023)
• 2 parents, 2 children: $21.93 for both parents ($22.00 – 2023)

“Our continued advocacy for a local living wage reflects our commitment to ensuring all residents have the means to meet their basic needs,” explains Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn. “As the cost of living continues to rise, this adjustment is essential to support our community members, especially those in low-wage positions, in achieving a more secure and dignified standard of living. By investing in fair wages, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

The budget does not include funds for:

• Savings
• Education savings for the children
• Home-ownership costs
• Costs to caretake a family member
• Pets
• Social engagements
• Debt repayments

“A job should lift the employee out of poverty,” Dobbyn explains further. “With the significant increases to the cost of housing we see locally, people are working, but homeless, living in cars while sliding further and further into poverty.” While no one should live below the poverty line, there is an understanding and an expectation that being employed should lift that person, and their family, out of poverty.

While the Living Wage increase is below inflation for 2024, the data reflected that households were spending less on clothing and shoes, an indicator that the general households’ access to disposable income in their budgets, has decreased.

“Income solutions to address food insecurity are needed. While the government has announced $10/day childcare and a new school lunch program to assist families and kids, these programs are still not fully funded in our region.  Waitlists exist for childcare spaces and subsidized rates. Locally, subsidized spaces are $22/day, we have not reached the $10/day rate. In addition, Early Childhood Educators in daycare centres are earning wages below a living wage.” Jill Umbach Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force co-ordinator.

The United Way of Bruce Grey and The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force advocate for a move from relying on a food charity model to public policies that increase the incomes of vulnerable households in our community.

Benefits to businesses who pay a Living Wage:

• Reduced recruitment costs
• Reduced training costs
• Better morale
• Employees do not have to hold down multiple jobs just to make ends meet
• Less fatigue
• Increased productivity
• There are over 500 certified living wage employers in Ontario

To learn more about the calculation for the local Living Wage, join Anne Coleman Campaign Manager for the Ontario Living Wage Network, Friday November 22^nd at 10 am for the November Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force meeting. To access the Zoom link for the meeting please use the contact form below: