Major milestone for the Living Wage campaign

We have certified another 24 employers, bringing the total of Living Wage Employers in BC to over 250. 

This month we have continued to certify Living Wage Employers in new sectors. We have our first Living Wage ski area (Sovereign Lake), village (Fruitvale), coffee shop (Kits Beach Coffee), distributors (Ryan Vending), nature sanctuary (Swan Lake Christmas Hill), air vent cleaners (Modern Purair and GVA Power Vac), hearing testers (Reliable Mobile Hearing Testing) and first aid provider (Elite Security and First Aid Services). 

First Living Wage coffee shop in BC.

Kits Beach Coffee is the first coffee shop in British Columbia to signify its commitment to ending working poverty, by paying all its staff and contracted workers a Living Wage.

The seasonal café at Kitsilano Beach makes pour over coffee, cold brew, artisan popsicles, and a selection of locally baked goods and gourmet pop tarts.

First Living Wage vending company in Canada.

Ryan Vending is the first vending company in Canada to signify its commitment to ending working poverty, by paying all its staff and contracted workers a Living Wage.

First Living Wage distribution business in Canada.

Horizon Grocery + Wellness, is the first distributor in Canada to signify its commitment to ending working poverty, by paying all its staff and contracted workers a Living Wage.

Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art becomes a Living Wage Employer.

Centre A joins several other art galleries, including 110 Arts Cooperative, Access Gallery and 221A Artist Run Centre Society in helping to address working poverty in Vancouver.

Canada's first Living Wage ski area

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, in Vernon BC, is the first ski area in Canada to signify its commitment to ending working poverty, by paying all its staff and contracted workers a Living Wage

First Living Wage beer tap maker in Canada

Borrego Radium Ltd, based in Invermere, and owner of Taphandlestogo.com and Stickernut, is the first company in Canada who make beer tap handles and custom stickers to commit to pay all its staff and contracted workers a Living Wage.

Ali's Story

Ali Ryan is a Chef at Spinnakers BrewPub and Guesthouse.

She joined Spinnakers in 2004 as a line cook, prepping food and plating dishes. 16 years later she manages a team of 18 people in the kitchen.

Spotlight

Great Northern Engineering Consultants Inc. (GNEC) is a Traffic and Electrical Engineering firm that put down roots in BC in 2013. By providing outstanding service and fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and true team spirit, the GNEC Team has grown exponentially. 

The new minimum wage is not a living wage

Today (1 June 2021), the minimum wage for workers across the province increased. 

While it is good news for workers that the minimum wage is being increased, it is still far less than what families in BC need to be able to make ends meet.