Central Saanich has become the first local government in the CRD to become certified as a Living Wage Employer.
Council voted in favor of the move, making them the 7th local government across BC to be certified, and the first district to do so in the Capital Region.
Central Saanich Mayor, Ryan Windsor, says the new minimum wage for city staff and contractors reflects the costs of living in Greater Victoria. "The living wage for Victoria is currently about $20.50 an hour, so that's what we're looking at for our internal staff as well as contractors."
He adds that the wage is determined by several factors. "It takes into account what is required for a family of four to meet their expenses for rent, groceries, items like extended health care, and a little bit of savings over two weeks or so. But it doesn't take things into account like dept repayment or longer term savings"
Windsor says that businesses in Central Saanich are not subject to the wage, and non-city employees could still be payed the provincial minimum wage.
Over 130 employers across BC are now certified Living Wage Employers.