Webinar: Calculating the living wage for local communities

The Living Wage for Families Campaign's first webinar was a huge success. On September 9, 2014, more than 60 people from across BC and Canada tuned in to learn how to calculate the annual living wage in their community. Continue reading

2014 new employers

New employers join the Living Wage for Families Campaign! We are delighted to welcome three new employers to the Living Wage for Families Campaign. Continue reading

Vancity recertifies as a Living Wage Employer

In 2011 Vancity embarked on a journey to become Canada’s largest Living Wage Employer. In June 2013, the credit union has moved one step closer with its recertification as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage for Families Campaign. Continue reading

Living wage momentum continues to grow in Canada

Over the past few years, communities across Canada have been working towards adopting living wage policies.  These communities identified the value of developing a Canadian Living Wage Framework which includes a consistent living wage definition, calculation methodology and strategy for recognizing corporate and community leadership who commit to pass a living wage policy.  Continue reading

New living wage calculation of $19.62 announced in Metro Vancouver

The Living Wage for Families Campaign, in conjunction with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA),  today released its annual recalculation of Metro Vancouver’s living wage: :  $19.62/hour. This announcement coincides with the publication of new living wage calculations by two First Call partners; Community Social Planning Council of Victoria in Greater Victoria  ($18.73/hour) and Living Wage Fraser Valley  ($16.37/hour). Continue reading

Living Wage and the B.C. Election Campaign

The Living Wage for Families Campaign has written to all four provincial parties asking for consideration of the following actions:: as part of a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Plan for BC: Continue reading

Living wage campaigns spread to Ontario

The Ontario branch of the Canada Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) recently hosted a living age ‘think tank’ in Toronto with Michael McCarthy Flynn, campaign organizer for the Living Wage for Families Campaign.  Continue reading

Prince George living wage

Prince George living wage The University of Northern BC’s economics department and the local United Way recently calculated the living wage for Prince George at $16.90/hour. This wage is intended to cover basic costs, including shelter, food, childcare and MSP premiums. Continue reading

Terrace

Terrace Living Wage Campaign A recent study by 10 social work  students at Terrace’s local UNBC campus, , under the direction of BC Association of Social Workers president Robert Hart, pegs the living wage rate for Terrace at $17.65/hour.  Continue reading

Listening to stories of low wage workers

We all want our cities to be livable and sustainable, especially for our children. However for many families who work for low wages, our cities are not very hospitable places. We must start taking this reality into account when working to make our cities more livable for all families. Truly livable cities, at their most basic level, are places where everyone can cover their basic living expenses. Continue reading