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November 08, 2023 - 2:03 PM
The BC office of a national left-wing think tank has released its calculations of this year’s living wage in several cities and regions of the province, and Kelowna is catching up to Vancouver.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives bases its calculation of the living wage on the hourly rate two parents working full-time need to earn to support a family with two dependents, according to a media release issued today, Nov. 8. The data includes housing and food costs.
The living wage jumped 7.5% year-over-year to $24.60 in Kelowna. The wage was $22.80 in 2022. That’s an increase of $1.72.
While the wage in Kamloops is $20.91 this year, it’s still an increase of 9.2% or $1.77 over the 2023 living wage of $19.14.
For context, BC's most expensive city, Metro Vancouver, the living wage climbed to $25.68 per hour for 2023.
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“Although inflation has dropped from last year’s historic highs, the cost of living across BC continues to increase rapidly,” the report's lead author Iglika Ivanova said in the release.
The main drivers behind the increase are the sharp rise in rent and food prices.
The centre said many BC workers are faced with the choice of buying groceries or heating their home, keeping up with bills or paying the rent on time.
“The living wage lets workers meet their basic needs and have the time and money for an active and fulfilling family and personal life,” Anastasia French with Living Wage for Families in BC said in the release.
The centre calculated the living wage in several other BC communities including $25.78 in Golden, $24.60 in Revelstoke and $22.63 in the Columbia Valley region. Vernon and Penticton were not included.
French said the living wage allows for a modest lifestyle without extras many take for granted.
Check out the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC office report here.
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