BC has one of the highest poverty rates in the country, with low wages as one of the key contributors to child poverty. The goal of the Living Wage Employer Program is to reduce poverty and increase the standard of living in the region. It aims to raise awareness around the cost of living for families, and works with employers to help them become certified. Morrison Hershfield has participated in this program since 2015 as it recognizes our continued commitment to paying fair wages and upholding high work standards for our employees and contractors. Review and recertification is required every year.
The annual living wage rate is essentially the hourly amount a worker needs to cover their family’s basic expenses within their community. Unlike the minimum wage which is set by the law, the living wage is determined by the average cost of living in a specific location. In BC, it is recalculated each year in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – BC Office and community partners across the province. It is based on a basket of goods (rental housing, food, transportation, child care, and more) for a family of four, where both parents work full-time and both children need child care.
Pelly Shafto, Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development notes, “Investing in the well-being of our staff and community is a priority for our firm. Maintaining our status as a Living Wage Employer is just one dimension of our strategy and commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and to the health and well-being of the entire Morrison Hershfield family”.
For a list of certified Living Wage Employers in BC, please visit Living Wage for Families.
