Photo By Claire McCormack
The living wage in Grey Bruce is seeing an increase of 1.3 per cent in 2024.
The annual Living Wage report from the United Way of Bruce Grey released on Monday shows people in the region need to make $23.05 an hour in a standard work week to make ends meet.
This increase from $22.75 in 2023 puts the region second in the highest living wage in Ontario, just below the Greater Toronto Area.
The report looked at three demographics, a single person will need to earn $23.93, a single parent with two children will need to earn $26.82 and two parents will each need to earn $21.93 if they have two children.
United Way of Bruce Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says this budget does not include funds for saving, education for children, home-ownership costs, costs to take care of a family member, pets, social engagements, and debt. She adds the demographic which will feel the increase the hardest is the single parent with two children.
“The whole point of the living wage is to have the conversation about what it actually costs a household to run a budget, based on the compliment of the household,” says Dobbyn.
The cost of living increase is calculated by looking at major expenses people face like shelter costs, transportation, childcare, and food, as well as internet access, an annual vacation, and clothing.
“In order for people to have a good life, to have their bills met, pay the rent, put food on the table, and have transportation, they need a minimum income of $23 an hour,” says Dobbyn.
She says a major component to the cost of living increase comes from poor transportation infrastructure.
“The City of Owen Sound has a bus system, but it doesn’t run in such a way that it really supports employment just on term of schedules. To replace a car with a bus pass that would support somebody being employed and working, it is just not feasible, busses do not run on Sunday, they shut down at 6 o’clock, and it is just not a strong supporter of employment,” says Dobbyn.
Dobbyn adds she is surprised the increase isn’t a little higher given the large jumps in the cost of the living the region has seen.
“The reality is if they were getting what they needed, and they were being paid better, we would have that stronger economy, because a lot of our economy is based on shopping, and when people stop shopping, or they shift from shopping at small businesses and end up at big box stores because of the cost-effectiveness, that has a broad reaching impact across the whole economy,” says Dobbyn.
She says employers who pay a living wage can positively impact their business as there would be less turnover, absenteeism, and worried employees.
“It’s an investment in people and it is an investment in your employees to pay a living wage. Living wage employers can be certified, it can go on their job postings, and it just messages that people are valued,” says Dobbyn.