Simcoe County nearly $4 below livable wage, report states
Simcoe County's livable wage ranks fourth in Ontario, according to recent data.
The Ontario Living Wage Network has been researching the livable wage in regions across the province, taking into account expenses such as housing, childcare, food and transportation. The results show that the livable wage in Simcoe County is $19.05 per hour.
"So what that means if someone is earning a minimum wage working full time, they will be short $124 a week trying to make ends meet, and that's the difference," said Craig Pickthorne, the communication coordinator for Ontario Living Wage Network.
The Toronto area tops its livable wage list at $22.08, followed by the Halton region at $20.75 and Peel Region at $19.80.
The network comprises over 500 employers in Ontario, including 21 in Simcoe County.
Humdinger Bicycle Tours in Oro-Medonte is one of those employers and has been paying its employees above the livable wage since 2019.
"A living wage at least allows people to cover their basic necessities and maybe spend a little money in the community and keep that cycle going," said Sara McEwen, the founder of Humdinger Bicycle Tours.
She said she managed to retain her staff throughout the pandemic and attributes it to the higher wages.
"I think the wage does help, and I think it's important," said McEwen. "It certainly is a commitment for small businesses to pay a living wage, it does impact the bottom line, but it's something I've been committed to from the beginning."
But not all small business owners can make the same commitment.
County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell said it would be challenging to pay employees an additional $3.55 for many small business owners and entrepreneurs still digging out of pandemic losses.
"We want to make sure people have an increase in their income to accommodate increases in inflation and cost of living, at the same time, we need to find that balance where small businesses can get back on their feet,"' said Cornell.
According to the province, the minimum wage will likely increase annually in October . If new rates are to take effect in Ontario next year, they could be announced on or before April 1, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.