Looking at the Ontario Living Wage Network’s certified living wage employer map – there is only one listing for Haliburton County – SIRCH Community Services.
Others in our region include Kawartha Credit Unions in Kinmount and Bancroft and Fivepoint Landscaping near Dwight.
That means that SIRCH is paying what is deemed a living wage for this part of Ontario – a wage now listed at $21.65 an hour – according to a Nov. 18 report.
SIRCH, which works with vulnerable sectors, has recognized the gap between what is deemed a living wage, and Ontario’s minimum wage. It rose Oct. 1 but only to $17.20 an hour – nearly $4.50 less than what the Ontario Living Wage Network calculates is necessary to make ends meet in our region.
We’re not sure if other Haliburton County employers are paying a living wage. They may very well be but simply have not been certified. It may be in their best interests to do so. Employees refer to these maps before making decisions about accepting employment.
If I were only now looking to move to the Highlands for work, I would need at least a guaranteed living wage to cover rent, or a mortgage, food, transportation (because I would need a car), clothing and footwear, medical, life and critical illness costs, cell and internet, child care, and other expenses.
I would have to have won the lotto on affordable accommodation, mind you, to make ends meet.
This is why you might be seeing the same faces pop up at different places of work. I know a woman who works two, maybe three jobs in order to survive in Haliburton County. She isn’t the first, and won’t be the last. I also know people who have tried to make a go of it here, but have left for Lindsay, Peterborough and other areas where they could live with lower rents and lower food prices.
I know it is a dilemma for employers. How can they possibly up their wages to match inflation, and Ontario Living Wage Network calculations, when they are struggling to keep afloat? I’d ask them if they are having trouble finding workers, or constantly hiring, only to lose employees. Perhaps upping that minimum wage $4.50 an hour might save them money in the long run. Another $35.60-a-day could lead to better employee retention; less lost time to recruitment and training. It is something to think about.
When it comes to rent, we can also appeal to landlords. Surely the rents you are charging now are covering the cost of inflation? If you were to consider reductions, chances are you would get tenants likely to stick around for awhile. There would not be a revolving door of folks who discover they cannot afford your rents anymore, and move on. And, surely, you, too, would benefit from us having a more stable and sustainable workforce in the Highlands. Fewer ‘help wanted’ signs mean we get the goods and services we want as residents.
So, if you are paying a living wage, bravo. Keep it up. If you are not, please consider it. The short-term pain of upping wages could lead to long-term gains for your business, and for all of us.
