Why paying a Living Wage matters at Wiser Projects  

In this short blog, Kaeley Wiseman, Principal, from Wiser Projects explains why they became a Living Wage Employer, and the benefits they’ve found from being part of the program. 

Wiser is a women-owned and led planning and development company. Our B-corp certification and affiliated non-profit organization (Wiser Development Society) demonstrate our continued commitment to social, environmental, fiscal, and corporate responsibility and transparency. We are not investors in our projects but the biggest cheerleaders and champions of them. We work exclusively with purpose-aligned partners across the entire housing and community development sector, focusing on Indigenous governments and non-profits, public-sector affordable housing, and community-oriented private projects such as seniors’ housing and art and cultural projects. We are a mix of creatives and project manages, with backgrounds in urban and community planning, architecture, and non-profit leadership. 

We have been a Living Wage Employer since 2024, when greater Victoria’s Living Wage rose by 22% in 2022 and another 5% in 2023-2024. 

Since becoming a Living Wage Employer, we’ve noticed real, positive changes in our workplace. We have exposed our clients, contractors and consulting partners in better understanding the value of this commitment, its impact and importance across all sectors. In addition, we offer extended health and wellness benefits, flex-days, work at home flexibility, and of course, a pet friendly office environment!  

Paying a Living Wage doesn’t just benefit our team, it strengthens the local economy and helps families thrive. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s making a difference across all the traditional territories and cities we work from, spanning Vancouver Island, the gulf islands the lower mainland and central BC. 

We encourage others to join us in becoming Living Wage Employers. Together, we can create a fairer, more sustainable future for everyone. 

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are now over 500 Living Wage Employers across BC. 

The living wage is the hourly amount someone needs to earn to pay for basic essentials like food and rent, it doesn’t include paying off debt or saving for retirement. The Living Wage for Victoria is now $27.40 an hour. 

Find out more about Wiser Projects on their website: www.wiserprojects.com