The Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN), in consultation with the United Way Bruce Grey and Poverty Task Force, recently released the 2024 ‘living wage’ report.
The report sets out what workers need to earn per hour, at 35 hours per week, in order to ‘make ends meet’ in the community where they live. It includes major expenses such as shelter costs, internet, cell phone, transportation, childcare, and food. In addition, other expenses such as internet access, a modest annual vacation, and clothing are also considered, but no savings or contributions to RESPs or RRSPs are included.
According to the United Way and Poverty Task Force, “We pushed the OLWN to include a single parent with two kids as one of three profiles. The 2023 wages were:
single adult ($23.01),
single parent w/ 2 kids ($27.20)
2 parents w 2 kids ($22.00)
The weighted average was $22.75, a 9% increase year-over-year which does not square with the Consumer Price Index of 3.8%.
However, this year, the updated data is more realistic. The Ontario Living Wage Network Living Wage map of all rates across economic regions shows that Grey-Bruce, Huron, Perth and Simcoe, at $23.05 required per hour in 2024, an increase of 1.3 pe cent, are second only to the GTA.
| Greater Toronto Area | $ 25.05 | $ 26.00 | 3.8% |
| Grey Bruce Perth Huron Simcoe | $ 22.75 | $ 23.05 | 1.3% |
In Spring 2023, the Nutritious Food Basket data for Grey Bruce, showed an eight per cent increase in grocery store food costs. In Saugeen Shores last year (2023), 230 households were helped and this year, 2024, the number is approximately 345, almost a 50 per cent increase. In Ontario, the annual cost of food has increased again in 2024 and in Grey-Bruce Huron is estimated at: family of four = $12,918, single parent = $6,330 and a single adult = $4,583.
In Grey Bruce, ten-dollar-a-day childcare is not widely available due to a lack of spaces, therefore, daycare costs were also estimated higher.
Shelter costs used to be based on Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC) data, but it is also five years behind. Previously, it was not considered what rental costs would be if you had to move and most of the data was based on remaining in place. However, in Ontario, average rental costs are 25.2% higher than they were three years ago.
Given that there is a lack of public transportation in the region, costs are also higher as two cars were included as opposed to urban centres where families are allocated one car plus one bus pass for a family of four. For Grey Bruce, 2 cars were included.
Following engagement with employers that have employees across regions, the OLWN has moved to a regional calculation. Employers are certified and pay an annual fee to be on a Directory List found at: Living Wage Employers Map – Ontario Living Wage Network
“The work of the Ontario Living Wage Network centres on one core goal: the elimination of working poverty.”
To read the full report on how the Ontario’s Living Wages’ calculations were made,
CLICK HERE.
