A recent report shows that the living wage across British Columbia has increased, now being, on average, $7 higher than the province’s minimum wage.
The report comes from Living Wage BC (formerly Living Wage for Families BC) and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — an Ottawa-based donor-funded think tank which often publishes an annual alternative budget to the federal government.
The living wage, if you’re unfamiliar, is the amount a full-time worker must earn to meet basic needs, defined as providing a decent quality of life for a family of four, including housing, food, transportation, and other essentials.
One of the key trends in this year’s report is the ongoing climb in wages required to live in some of BC’s most expensive areas.
Metro Vancouver tops the chart with a living wage of $27.05 per hour.
In Victoria, the provincial capital, the living wage jumped to $26.78 per hour, marking a 5% increase from last year.
GTS Productions/Shutterstock
Other high-cost, tourist-heavy spots like Whistler ($28.09) and Clayoquot Sound ($27.42) also push the limits of what families need to earn to live comfortably.
Whistler’s living wage is the highest in the province, reflecting the area’s steep housing prices and the demands of its tourism-heavy economy.
As food and housing prices climb, people on minimum wage — which in BC is $17.40 per hour — are finding it harder to make ends meet. In high-cost regions like Greater Victoria and Metro Vancouver, those earning minimum wage would not be able to afford rent, let alone other basic needs.
Resort Municipality of Whistler
Living Wage BC points out that “No government efforts to address the cost of living crisis can succeed without addressing housing affordability.”
In contrast, other places in BC, like Grand Forks ($20.81) and Dawson Creek ($21.55), have lower living wages due to more affordable housing and living costs. But these communities still see rising prices on essentials.
Across the board, the living wage in BC works out to around $24/hour — just shy of $7 more than BC’s minimum wage.
As living wages continue to rise across BC, the gap between what minimum wage earners can afford and what’s needed to cover basic living costs is growing.
To see the full report click here.