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$16.60 an Hour“There’s a big difference between having enough to survive – and Ontario’s minimum wage doesn’t even do that – and having enough to participate in the life of the community”. To the point isn't it. It's a quote from Hugh Mackenzie, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) research associate and co-author of A Living Wage for Toronto. Mackenzie addds that “the living wage is the income threshold a family has to cross to avoid being marginalized.” The study concluded that in Canada’s most expensive urban area, Ontario’s minimum wage falls far short of what families need for a decent standard of living. It looked at the major costs families with children face in the GTA and what wage is necessaary for a "decent standard of living". That doesn't mean annual trips to Disneyland. It's about the three basics food, clothing and shelter. “We held focus groups with families in the GTA to confirm our estimates reflected the reality of everyday living,” says co-author Jim Stanford, CCPA research associate. “We discovered that while it covers the basics, our living wage number is still quite modest. “So many GTA families struggle to pay the rent and put food on the table. They’re working hard, making a major contribution to our economy. It’s only fair that the work they do lifts them out of poverty, and allows them to lead a healthy, full life.” It's the definition of the working poor. They have jobs but it doesn't support a simple lifestyle: How to pay the rent, foot all the bills, keep food on the table, and stay out of debt? The battle is tough and many lose because they can't get themselves out of poverty. The study noted that Ontario’s average hourly earnings were among the highest in Canada in 2007, but in sharp contrast, a Statistics Canada study1 reveals 17.4% of Ontario jobs pay workers less than $10 an hour (2002 dollars). Another jarring finding: Ontario is the only province in Canada in which the proportion of jobs that pay $10 an hour or less increased in the last decade — this despite steady economic growth during this same time period. Food Bank usage is up: increased by 14 per cent between 2001 and 2007 The CCPA defined what they mean by a living wage: the income a family needs to support its participation in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the community. Specifically, it is the wage level required for a family with two children, and two parents employed full-time and year-round, to meet a basic standard of living that allows for good health, education and entertainment opportunities and full participation in modern life. The amount needed is $16.60 per hour would be required to meet those expenses. |
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