Eight employers across BC recently received certification as Living Wage Employers. Since 2009 when the BC-based Living Wage for Families Campaign began certifying Living Wage Employers, 180 employers have received the designation.

A Living Wage Employer is one that pays their regional living wage to their staff and contractors, and that is certified by the Living Wage for Families Campaign. Becoming a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment that employers of all types can make, including private businesses, local governments, non-profit organizations, and more.

“In 2009 our campaign certified three employers, and in 2019 we certified 42 employers,” noted Halena Seiferling, Living Wage for Families Campaign Organizer. “We’re ending 2019 with 151 active Living Wage Employers this year, and 180 that have been involved in the program throughout the past decade.”

“It’s been exciting to see such immense growth over the years as employers learn about this tool to pay staff fairly and contribute to a thriving local economy.”

The newest Living Wage Employers are the John Howard Society of the Lower Mainland, Raincoast Community Rehabilitation (Metro Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo), Ogopogo Tours (Summerland), Drawing Change Consulting (Vancouver), MODUS Planning Design & Engagement Inc (Vancouver), GeoScan Subsurface Surveys (Burnaby), Xradar BC (Burnaby), and Bath Investments Ltd (Langley).

“Living Wage Employers often experience significant business benefits including reduced staff turnover, increased productivity, and increased consumer support,” added Seiferling. “We look forward to welcoming even more employers into our network in 2020, including forthcoming policies from the cities of Burnaby and Victoria.”

Each year, the Living Wage for Families Campaign works with community partners across the province to calculate local living wages. The 2019 living wages range from $14.03 per hour in Prince George to $19.50 per hour in Metro Vancouver. The living wage is the hourly amount a family needs to cover basic expenses. The calculation is based on a two-parent family with two children – the most common family unit in BC – with each parent working full-time.

To learn more about the Living Wage Employer program, click here.