United Way Perth-Huron and the Ontario Living Wage Network are emphasizing the important role fair wages can play to support workers, strengthen local businesses and build more resilient communities.
Both organizations have announced a jump in the region’s ‘living wage’ to $24.75 per hour, up from $24.60 last year.
A living wage is calculated by the network to show how much a worker must earn per hour to make ends meet and participate in community life. That figure includes three types of households: two adults with two small children, a single parent and a single adult and include any applicable government taxes, transfers and benefits.
United Way CEO Ryan Erb said making our communities more livable is an ongoing effort, even in challenging economic times.
Erb adds that the gap between minimum and living wage keeps getting bigger.
“We have to keep talking about the importance of a living wage in the overall health of our region while recognizing the pressures small businesses are under.”
Anne Coleman, Executive Director of the OLWN, said attention needs to be paid to the role wages play in keeping local economies moving.
“A living wage helps ensure workers have the purchasing power to support the businesses and services in their own communities. It is one important part of building an economy that works for more people.”
