The living wage is creeping upward county-wide, according to a new report.
If you live in Simcoe County, you must be making a minimum of $18.01 per hour in order to be making a living wage, according to the 2018 Simcoe County Living Wage Calculation report prepared by county staff that was discussed at Simcoe County council this week, but some councillors took exception to the way the final amounts were tallied.
“Just a comment," remarked Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke. "Who is it that decided the work week is only 35 hours long? I don’t know anybody who works 35 hours a week.
"My son’s girlfriend has two part-time jobs and works more hours than this,” said Clarke.
“On top of that, whoever decided that your education should be covered by the income of your current job... that goes in the face of student loans. The idea is, you borrow the money, get an education and then your new job at a higher rate of pay is what pays for that education," said the Ramara mayor.
"You shouldn’t be getting that education if it’s not going to lead you to a better job. It’s an investment in yourself. So, I think it’s wrong,” he said.
At $18.01 per hour, the living wage in the county has increased since it was calculated in 2017 at $17.74.
A living wage is the hourly wage a worker requires to cover basic needs, promotes social inclusion, supports healthy child development principles, and ensures families are not under severe financial stress.
It’s different from minimum wage in that it is adjusted for the cost of living locally, it is reflective of the basic necessities of life, and it is calculated regularly to take into consideration cost of living increases and changes in government transfers and deductions.
The calculations were based on a family of four, with both parents working 35 hours per week, and one parent enrolled in part-time studies to improve their employment situation. Two children are included in this family, a seven-year-old attending before and after school care, and a three-year-old in full-day child care.
“The items that were mentioned by (Clarke) are outlined in a formula that is set by the Ontario Living Wage Network, who endorses and organizes this program,” said Greg Bishop, general manager of social and community services. “But, you’re absolutely right. People do work beyond 35 hours a week.”
The statistics were divided into six regions: Orillia, East Simcoe (Oro-Medonte, Ramara, Severn), North Simcoe (Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay), South Simcoe, Barrie, and West Simcoe.
According to the staff report, the cost of living differs depending on where you live in the county.
The most expensive area to live in the county was East Simcoe, with annual family expenses calculated at $80,450. The least expensive was West Simcoe, at $68,225.
The family yearly expenses for 2018 in Orillia were $68,564. The Simcoe County average was $73,545.
To read the 2018 Simcoe County Living Wage Calculation report in full, click here.
Orillia’s annual family expenses according to the 2018 Simcoe County Living Wage Calculation
- Food - $8,429
- Clothing - $3,223
- Rent - $13,824
- Hydro - $1,340
- Telephone - $1,356
- Tenant Insurance - $162
- Internet and Netflix - $800
- Transportation - $7,234
- Parent Education - $1,115
- Child Care - $16,387
- Health Insurance - $3,273
- Other - $8,785
- Contingency (4 per cent) – $2,637
- Total expenses - $68,564
