In a newly released Centre for Civic Governance poll, 67.1% of British Columbians surveyed said they would be in favour of their municipality adopting a living wage bylaw which would ensure that all directly-employed city staff, as well as staff contracted by the city to work on service contracts are paid a locally calculated living wage. This response reflects a key concern for many: the economy. When asked about issues, 32% of British Columbians expressed strong concern about the economy.
On June 20th, Pickering city council approved a fair wage policy. The policy is effective immediately and will apply to all city contracts over $1 million. Councillor Bill McLean expressed his support for the policy, noting fair wages encourage a higher standard of work.
On June 13th city councilors voted to recommend a "fair wage" policy for contracts over S1 million. Workers affected by this policy would likely be those in the construction trades. The policy is supported by Terry Dorgan, an agent of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 894, who believes the policy "promotes safety on the job, assures that you're getting the most qualified people on the job and taxpayers will definitely get their money's worth."
Surrey Councillor Bob Bose is hoping his council will pass a living wage by-law. The policy would guarantee a wage of $18.17/hour for all City of Surrey goods and services suppliers. The wage is based on "the minimum hourly rate required for a four-person household with two working adults to afford food and shelter and meet other needs." Read more in the Georgia Straight.
Esquimalt is very likely to pass living wage legislation in the very near future. Although some Victoria-area politicians are nervous about the idea, it seems most agree a living wage is essential for working families to make ends meet. The school district of Qualicum has just recently passed a motion to support the living wage and will be working to actively increase the number of families earning a living wage. Read the full story in The Tyee.
The living wage in Metro Vancouver in 2010 is calculated at $18.17/hour, which is 8.5% higher than it was 2 years ago. The increase is driven by increases in food, rent and childcare. Paying living wages can reduce child poverty, stimulate local ecnomies, and benefit employers. Read the full story in the Vancouver Sun.
The City of New Westminister has become the first municipality in Canada to adopt a living wage policy. A living wage is calculated as the income two working parents would need in order to support a family of four with adequate food and shelter, and adequate funds to participate in their community. In Metro Vancouver, a living wage is calculated as $16.74/hour. View New Westminister City Councillor Jamie McEvoy's presentation here.
Each year the Columbia Institute does polling on the local issues that British Columbians consider most pressing. This year we also asked British Columbians about their support for Living Wage policies and action on Climate Change. Click below to read the results.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) has just released a living wage calculation that includes "basic expenses for a two-earner family with two young children (such as housing, childcare, food and transportation), and government taxes, credits, deductions and subsidies.
A new report from the CCPA seeks an explanation for why good economic times in BC have not translated into higher earnings for workers in lower-end jobs. The study finds that a number of policy changes has increased the number of casual jobs, characterized by poor job quality, low pay, and little job security. Such policy changes include privatization and contracting out, which has reduced the stock of public sector jobs and changes to the Employment Standards Act, which has weakened minimums requirements for employers.
