Abbotsford’s living wage is $3 less than Vancouver’s
Posted May 23, 2013 10:08 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ABBOTSFORD (NEWS1130) – Here’s more proof that life gets a little less expensive, the further into the Fraser Valley you go.
An organization working to end poverty in Abbotsford says two parents need to earn $16.37 an hour each in order to raise a family. That’s $3 less than the living wage in Vancouver.
But Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Allan Asaph says many smaller businesses could have trouble paying that figure.
“Oftentimes, wages are determined by the ability of the business to generate sufficient profitability… to be able to employ and create jobs. Oftentimes, those can be a starting position, as opposed to a more senior position.”
Asaph tells us the city’s living wage makes the area more attractive. “However, the important thing is that we need to make sure that there’s a sufficiently buoyant economy out here to create the jobs to be able to support this.”
The living wage only provides for basic survival needs and doesn’t allow for home ownership for family holidays.
