Niagara Poverty Reduction Network out with latest living wage figures

Niagara's Poverty Reduction Network is out with what it considers to be the living wage for Niagara.

With the annual cost of household living expenses for a Niagara region family of four conservatively pegged at over $71,000, the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network has calculated
the hourly wage necessary for families to meet these expenses, otherwise known as a living wage, to be $17.99 for 2018.

That's a slight increase from 2017's calculation of $17.57/hour.

“A living wage reflects what earners in a family need to be paid based on the actual costs of living and being included in a specific community. It is an evidence-based hourly rate at which a household can meet its basic cost of living needs, once government transfers have been added to the family’s income and deductions have been subtracted. Included in the calculation are food, shelter, clothing, transportation, child care, non-OHIP medical insurance, continuing adult education, and items that allow for fuller participation in society, such as communication, family outings, and local recreation.” ” says Glen Walker, Chair of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network.

As part of National Living Wage Week, the Network has released two new reports, ‘Calculating the Cost of Living for Niagara Region, 2018’ and ‘Calculating the Living Wage for Niagara
Region, 2018’, which outlines the full methodology used.

The reports are available here.