Nearly seven years after the release of the first living wage calculation for Niagara, the Living Wage Program has found a new home with United Way Niagara. Previously housed with the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (NPRN), the living wage program has made significant progress in Niagara. With 86 employers in Niagara certified to pay a living wage, United Way is excited to have the opportunity to continue the momentum.
“By adopting the living wage program, United Way Niagara can increase the program’s capacity in the region,” says Frances Hallworth, Chief Executive Officer, United Way Niagara. “The living wage program perfectly aligns with United Way’s goals to reduce poverty in Niagara. By definition, poverty is a lack of income, and by supporting a living wage, we are directly impacting a household’s income level. We are excited to continue this work and create meaningful economic impacts in the Niagara community”.
“An hourly living wage reflects what workers in a household need to earn, based on the actual cost of living, to allow for social inclusion in addition to affording basic needs,” says Isha Dadhwal, Living Wage Program Coordinator, United Way Niagara. “Living wage benefits more than just the employee earning it. Aside from increased employee mental and physical well- being, employers realize greater retention rates, increased productivity and lower absenteeism. Providing wages that allow a household to meet its basic cost of living needs is important to support the reduction of poverty in Niagara region”.
Niagara’s living wage for 2022 is $19.80 per hour, an increase from $18.90 last year. The methodology used to produce the cost of living and living wage calculations comes from the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN). “We look at major expenses that workers face such as shelter costs, transportation, childcare, and food. We also consider other expenses such as internet access, social activities, and clothing. Applicable government taxes, transfers, and benefits are factored in as well to determine the living wage,” says Craig Pickthorne, Communication Coordinator, Ontario Living Wage Network.
The living wage program is fully funded by the Niagara Prosperity Initiative through Niagara Region.
United Way Niagara is committed to promoting the Ontario Living Wage Network’s provincial living wage employer certification program. To date, 86 employers from across Niagara region have become living wage certified. Employers can use the living wage rate as a base, and know that they are paying an amount that allows for more than just surviving. To learn more about the certification process, contact Isha Dadhwal at isha@unitedwayniagara.org, or visit our website unitedwayniagara.org.
About United Way: United Way works to tackle some of the biggest social issues in Niagara; investing in solutions to poverty, food security, mental illness, homelessness, domestic violence and social isolation. United Way supported 125 programs across the region last year, serving over 122,000 people when they needed it the most.
About Ontario Living Wage Network: OLWN is a network of employers, employees, non-profits, researchers, and proponents of decent work standards for all Ontario workers. Together, we’re changing the conversation about what the minimum standard of pay for low-wage workers should be in the province.
