The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that Greenbelt Academy & Early Learning Centre has become a certified living wage employer at the Champion level.

Grimsby-based Greenbelt Academy & Early Learning Centre offers nature-immersion preschool and kindergarten programs, and a one day a week K-6 program. They currently employ one part time and nine full time employees.

“We wanted to become a Living Wage Employer because we wanted to make a commitment to enhancing the lives of our employees and the community. By paying a living wage we believe that we are making an investment in the long-term prosperity of the economy by fostering a dedicated, skilled and healthy workforce,” says Joelle Kanakis, Co-Director and Co-Owner, Greenbelt Academy.

“We’re pleased to see local employers recognizing the value and benefits of paying at least a living wage. Paying a living wage is direct action to address poverty and helps people afford the cost of living,” says Jennifer Gauthier, Vice Chair, Niagara Poverty Reduction Network.

A living wage reflects what earners need to be paid based on the actual costs of living and being included in the community. A living wage is not the same as the legislated minimum wage. It is a voluntary commitment that employers can make to compensate directly-employed and contract-employed full-time and part-time workers. The 2021 living wage for Niagara region has been calculated to be $18.90/hour.

Learn more about Niagara’s living wage at www.wipeoutpoverty.ca. Niagara-area employers interested in becoming living wage certified can contact the Ontario Living Wage Network for more information at www.ontariolivingwage.ca