A living wage is the hourly amount someone needs to earn to cover basic expenses
These basic expenses include:
- Food
- Clothing
- Rental housing
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Small savings to cover illness or emergencies.
The living wage calculation is currently based on a two-parent family with two children – the most common family unit in BC – and each parent working full-time. The living wage varies across BC based on costs in each region.
Living Wage BC encourages employers to pay a living wage as well as advocates for government policies that would help families make ends meet.
A living wage does not cover additional expenses such as:
- Debt repayment from credit cards, loans or other interest payments
- Future savings for home ownership, retirement or children’s university education
- Anything beyond minimal recreation, entertainment and holiday costs
- Costs of caring for a disabled, seriously ill or elderly family member
For full details on the Metro Vancouver living wage calculation, see Working for a Living Wage: Making Paid Work Meet Basic Family Needs in Metro Vancouver by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC Office (CCPA-BC).
A living wage lifts people out of poverty.
A living wage is different than a minimum wage. The minimum wage is the legislated minimum set by the provincial government. The minimum wage should be set at a rate high enough to lift an individual worker out of poverty. An adequate minimum wage is the government’s responsibility to address working poverty.
A living wage is an opportunity for employers to do better. A living wage calls on employers to meet a higher standard for their both staff and major contractors, to ensure that wages reflect the true costs of living in a community and that parents can earn what they need to support their families. More than 400 Living Wage Employers across BC agree and have certified with us.
Living Wage BC also advocates for policies to help make it easier for employers to pay a Living Wage. Our Close the Gap campaign is calling on the Government to introduce policies to lower costs and lift wages so that one day all workers in BC can thrive, not just survive.