Posted: Wednesday, 5 May 2010

New Westminster, British Columbia is the first city in Canada to adopt a municipal living wage policy.

The historic policy, unanimously passed by the New Westminster City Council on April 26, 2010, will reduce poverty and support working families. Workers who perform work for the city either directly or indirectly will earn at least $16.74 an hour – well above the provincial minimum wage.

This is a goal for all municipalities to strive for – the race to the bottom must stop and all workers – permanent, part-time and contract alike – deserve a decent living wage. The Canadian Labour Congress challenges other municipalities to do the same.

The CLC offers its congratulations to the New Westminster & District Labour Council, BC ACORN, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the many community activists and union members who worked on the Living Wage for Families campaign.