BC's 300th certified Living Wage Employer!

Courtney Agencies, a customs brokerage and freight forwarding business based in Vancouver has become the 300^th organization in BC to signify their commitment to ending working poverty by certifying as a Living Wage Employer.

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. 

“Courtney Agencies has been in business since 1955 when a cup of coffee cost 30 cents.  Today's cost of living is impossibly high and we are proud to pay a Living Wage.  We build career paths and cross training so junior staff can build their skills quickly.  We promote and pay for industry education so staff can earn their customs and freight certifications which also helps improve their wages at a solid pace.  Thank you to Living Wage for Families BC for inspiring us to come up with a plan and make it happen. Paying a Living Wage is a key step on our pathway to become a Certified B Corporation” Virginia Weiler, Vice President of Courtney Agencies.

Low-income earners tend to spend proportionally more of their income than those with much higher incomes, because those with low incomes have more essential spending needs. Those with lower incomes also tend to spend more money locally. This will help strengthen small and community-focused businesses in BC.

“We’re delighted that Courtney Agencies has become our 300^th Living Wage Employer. With a labour shortage occurring across BC, many employers are finding paying a Living Wage an important tool in recruiting and retaining their staff. Paying a Living Wage is good for the employer, the employee and the local community. We invite other employers to join the Living Wage movement,” said Anastasia French, Living Wage for Families BC

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. They commit to pay their direct and contracted staff a Living Wage.