IF YOU WORK FOR A LIVING – YOU SHOULD MAKE A LIVING: THE DEBATE ON A LIVING WAGE IN MANITOBA

Abstract

Headed by Living Wage Canada (http://www.livingwagecanada.ca/ ), many advocates are learning how to calculate a living wage for their communities and are able to access resources to start campaigns. The living wage is different from minimum wage. Minimum wage is arbitrarily set (with no consideration of cost of living) and is the legal minimum any employer can pay.

A living wage first calculates what is needed for a family of four (two parents, two children) to live. Combined with a comprehensive strategy that includes steady minimum wage increases, improvements to Employment and Income Assistance rates and serious consideration of a Guaranteed Annual Income, it could play an important role in restoring our economy and our shrinking middle class.

First and foremost, it could, when combined with other policies such as Labour Market Intermediaries and government procurement initiatives, offer low-income families a bridge into economic security.