Living wage pegged at $17.31 an hour in Kamloops

So, how is the fair wage calculated?

“We look at what the median cost of rent would be for a three-bedroom apartment in your community. We also look at basic costs for food, transportation and clothing — day-to-day costs,” Ogle says. “We also have two weeks savings for each adult built in. So, building a little resiliency into their life just in case one person gets ill or can’t make it to work.”

She says it also includes the cost of two educational classes to help ensure a way out of poverty for individuals.

Ogle notes Kamloops comes somewhere near the “middle of the pack” when compared to other communities in B.C. Not surprisingly, Vancouver has the highest living wage in 2018 at $20.91 while North Central B.C. was calculated at $16.51.

She says the first goal of the campaign is to encourage employers to sign on to pay a living wage.

“And the second piece is to articulate what it costs to live in a particular community for a family and what are the policy solutions that can reduce the costs and make a community healthier and more economically vibrant.”

Ogle says two recent government policies that have helped were the 50 per cent reduction in Medical Service Premiums and the introduction of the child care fee reduction initiative.

She says nine local governments have committed to implementing a living wage in B.C. including Vancouver, New Westminster and Quesnel.

by Greg Fry

Living wage pegged at $17.31 an hour in Kamloops

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