Vancity has become a Living Wage Employer—the largest organization in Canada to adopt this policy.

A living wage is different than minimum wage; it reflects an income a family provider must bring home in order to meet their basic living needs. The current minimum wage is $8.75 per hour; the current living wage for Metro Vancouver is $18.81 per hour.

Vancity, certified under Metro Vancouver’s Living Wage Employer Program, is joining a growing number of employers who have recognized the social and economic benefits of paying a living wage.

“Paying a living wage to our employees and service providers will help make families stronger and communities healthier. British Columbia has the highest cost of living yet the lowest minimum wage in Canada,” said Tamara Vrooman, president and Chief Executive Officer at Vancity. “We want to be part of a community that invests in the long-term prosperity of individuals and the economy”.

“Our focus has always been on making an impact in the communities we serve and helping our members achieve financial success,” said Patrice Pratt, Chair, Vancity Board of Directors. “This initiative is very much aligned with our values of building wealth in the communities where we live and work.”

People who work for low wages face challenging choices: buy clothes or heat the house, feed the children or pay the rent. The result can be spiraling debt, constant anxiety and long-term health problems. In many cases it means adults in the family are working long hours, often at two or three jobs, just to pay for basic necessities.

“We congratulate Vancity on becoming a Living Wage employer,” said Michael McKnight, president and CEO for United Way of the Lower Mainland. “United Way is also proud to be a Living Wage organization and like Vancity we are also encouraging other organizations to adopt the Living Wage policy. Too many British Columbians are working harder than ever to stand still. The Living Wage initiative provides a crucial way forward to join with others to build the foundation for a stronger community.”

According to livingwageforfamilies.ca:

• BC has the highest child poverty rate in Canada
• The majority of BC’s poor children live in families with income from paid work, with over 1/3 having at least one adult working full-time.
• Approximately 25% of the couples with children in Greater Vancouver live below the Living Wage level
• 80% of the factors that effect childhood development, as identified by the Chief Public Health Officer, improve as family income increases

For more information about Metro Vancouver’s Living Wage Employer Program see www.livingwageforfamilies.ca.