In case you missed it, the Living Wage for Families Campaign released the 2019 living wage calculations last week. The living wage for communities across BC decreased significantly this year. Even though costs are increasing steeply for rent and other basic necessities, the cost of living for many families with MORE
The Living Wage for Families Campaign will launch the 2019 Living Wage Calculations on Wednesday May 1. For those new to the campaign, the living wage is the hourly amount a family needs to cover basic expenses, and the calculation is based on a two-parent family with two children and MORE
The Fair Wages Commission launched a consultation for British Columbians to share their views on ways to close the gap between the minimum wage and a living wage. Submissions can be made in-person, via video-conference, or via email to FWC@gov.bc.ca. Deadline for feedback is May 31, 2019. Learn more about MORE
In July 2018, the Province announced the creation of an expert committee to study the potential for using a basic income approach in its efforts to reduce poverty and prepare for the emerging economy. Organizations and individuals with an interest in basic income were invited to share their input by MORE
The Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre conducted an online survey earlier this year of all staff working in centre-based child care programs in Vancouver to collect data on wages and benefits of educators and administrators. One result from the 627 completed surveys (92% female respondents) found the median hourly wage MORE
The Living Wage for Families Campaign is hiring a Research Coordinator for a participatory action research project on the impacts of low wages on individuals and families. This is a part-time role at 3 days (21 hours) per week, for the duration of the three-year project. Deadline for applications is Sunday October MORE
Times Colonist: Victoria council backs campaign for ‘living wage’ StarMetro Vancouver: Ontario’s cancellation of basic income pilot is seen as a setback by B.C. proponents Vancouver Sun: Abbotsford anti-gang program to lose funding as kids head back to school Vancouver Sun: Judy Darcy: Overdose emergency: Unprecedented crisis demands unprecedented action StarMetro Vancouver: Peer-led overdose response MORE
JOB POSTING: LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER Full time position (35 hours/week), including evening and weekend work, as necessary Location: First Call office, downtown Vancouver Click here to download .pdf of the posting. First Call is a dynamic, non-partisan coalition of over 100 provincial and regional partner organizations in British Columbia MORE
According to Working for a Living Wage 2018, published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ BC office, First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition and the Living Wage for Families Campaign, $20.91 hourly wage is needed to cover the costs of raising a family in Metro Vancouver, up from $20.61 MORE
Policy Note: Mobility pricing: An idea whose time has come? CCPA: BC government decision to continue excluding farm workers from minimum wage protection very disappointing CBC News: Province says new legislation will keep Indigenous communities involved in children’s welfare Yukon News: Yukon delegation visits First Nations-led child welfare agencies in B.C. StarMetro Vancouver: For B.C.’s MORE
The Living Wage for Families Campaign is supporting cleaners at Capilano University with a petition calling on all stakeholders at Capilano U to adopt a Living Wage & Benefits Policy for all direct and contracted workers on campus. The website quotes: “Poverty is a serious issues affecting families in the Metro Vancouver area MORE
On February 8, Premier John Horgan announced that BC will incrementally increase the provincial minimum wage each June until reaching $15.20 by June 2021. The first step will be $12.65 in June 2018, followed by $13.85 in June 2019 and $14.60 in June 2020. First Call’s submission to the Commission called MORE
Surrey Now-Leader: An ongoing struggle with poverty CBC News: High school graduation rates up for Indigenous, special needs students Huffpost: Discriminating against the poor is illegal, should change CBC News: JJ Bean gives Ontario minimum wage to staff because it’s the right thing to do CBC News: Free daycare for low income families announced for MORE
Cori Ramsay, speaking about her own experiences with poverty, speaks to the need for a living wage for the poorest in our societies. Recorded at TEDxUNBC in Prince George, BC. View the video here. Learn more about the Living Wage for Families campaign here.
First Call has made a robust submission to the Fair Wage Commission regarding the 2017 BC Child Poverty Report Card, recommendation 1, which states that the provincial government should raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and index it annually to the cost of living and ensure all workers MORE