With global costs on the rise and the working members of society facing a very real risk of becoming homeless and lacking the very basic things in life, we need a change now. A living wage is what earners in a household need in order to cover a family's reasonable costs, to support children and ensure that financial stress is minimized. The federal government needs to make providing every Canadian with a living wage a Canada-wide issue.
A year ago, my husband lost a decent $25.00 per hour position in a field where few local positions exist. He has been able to find work in a warehouse, building marine parts at $10.75/ hour. It is better than nothing but it is not enough. In Canada, the cost of living has risen to the point that, to be above the poverty line, you need to earn $23.00 per hour.
The Canadian government has the ability to raise the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour across the country. Higher incomes would not only mean that more Canadians would be able to pay their bills and support their families. It would mean more local spending and benefits for the Canadian economy as a whole.
Tell Canada, everyone needs a living wage!
