The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that Niagara Regional Broadband Network (NRBN) has become a certified living wage employer at the Champion level. This marks Niagara region’s 50^th living wage employer certification recognition.

Municipally owned by Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake since 2004, NRBN empowers the community with their ultra-reliable fibre optic network. Across the Niagara region, they drive economic growth and attract top talent by connecting both rural and urban businesses and residents to fibre internet. In addition to providing near limitless capacity, their network is unequivocally faster that DSL, cable, and wireless internet. They currently employ 31 full time staff and one trainee.

“At NRBN, we continuously strive to positively impact our team, their families, and our community. We are proud to provide a living wage to invest in the longevity of our team and strengthen our local economy,” says Cassie Anez, People and Culture Specialist/Executive Assistant, NRBN.

“The living wage is taking hold in Niagara region faster than anywhere else in Ontario right now. We’re so pleased to see this community pass through 50 certified living wage employers. Now more than ever, we need businesses and organizations who acknowledge this plain truth: work should lift you out of poverty, not keep you in it. These employers will tell you the living wage is good for people, good for business, and good for community well-being,” says Anne Coleman, Manager, Ontario Living Wage Network.

“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. We’re also particularly thrilled to reach the milestone of 50 publicly recognized, certified living wage employers across Niagara,” says Aidan Johnson, 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 current living wage for Niagara region has been calculated to be $18.12/hour. If an employer’s total compensation package includes benefits such as dental and prescription drugs, the living wage can be lowered by at least $1.00/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

The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is a collective of over 30 agencies and individuals working to wipe out poverty in Niagara through education, collaboration, and advocacy to address poverty’s root causes.