City of Vancouver now a certified Living Wage employer

Gregor Robertson
Photo by Chandra Bodalia

THE City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board and Vancouver Police Department have taken steps to reduce inequality by becoming living wage employers, certified by the Living Wage for Families Campaign (LWFC), a Vancouver-based organization that has certified a range of employers.
The City’s Living Wage certification includes City of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board staff and vendors. The Vancouver Police Department submitted a separate application that was also approved at the same time.
“Vancouver’s economy is booming, yet too many hard working families are left behind because of Vancouver’s affordability challenges,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “As mayor I’m proud that Vancouver is leading by example as Canada’s largest living wage employer. Paying a living wage is an investment in our community and economy, and I encourage other local employers to take this step so families of all incomes and backgrounds can afford to live and work in Vancouver.”
“I’m very pleased that the Park Board unanimously endorsed the City of Vancouver’s living wage certification requirements,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Michael Wiebe. “This is a Park Board opportunity to address working poverty and invest in the long-term prosperity of our city.”
“Our people are a top priority. Our members and contract staff all play a role in helping to keep Vancouver safe,” said Deputy Chief Constable Steve Rai with the Vancouver Police Department. “It’s important to the Vancouver Police Department that we show our support for this initiative to help ensure the people who serve this city can afford to meet basic needs.”
“In implementing a living wage for all City staff and contractors, the City of Vancouver is demonstrating leadership on the issue of affordability,” said Deanna Ogle, Campaign Organizer with the Living Wage for Families Campaign. “We all know that Vancouver is an expensive place to live, a living wage allows City staff and contractors to breathe a little easier at the end of the month.”
The City of Vancouver joins the Ucluelet First Nation, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, New Westminster, Quesnel and Port Coquitlam as local governments in BC who have successfully implemented living wage policies.
As a certified living wage employer, the City is committed to paying employees and employees of externally contracted service providers a living wage. Metro Vancouver’s living wage rate for 2017 is $20.62 including direct wages and the value of non-mandatory benefits.
The City’s Procurement Policy<http://vancouver.ca/doing-business/bids-contracts-rfps-purchase-orders.aspx> was updated on May 1, 2017 to reflect living wage standards for services purchased in support of City and Park Board operations.
The City’s living wage requirements apply to vendors who provide services and meet all of the following criteria:
*Estimated annual value of the contract is greater than $250,000
*Services are performed on properties owned by or leased to the City including all streets, sidewalks and other public rights of way
*Services are provided on a regular, ongoing basis
*Contractor is expected to perform the services for greater than 120 hours per year of the contract
Living wage standards are not applicable for:
*Emergency or non-recurring repairs or maintenance services where no standing contract is in place
*Services performed by organizations that lease property from the City
*Contracts with social enterprises
The living wage standards in the City’s Procurement Policy are applicable to new service contracts that meet the above criteria.
The living wage is the hourly rate required for two working adults to meet the basic needs of a family of four such as rent, food, transportation and childcare. It is calculated annually by LWFC and is based on the regional cost of living. It does not include pension savings, debt service or many other routine expenses. For more information on how the living wage is calculated visit: livingwageforfamilies.ca/what_is_living_wage<http://www.livingwageforfamilies.ca/what_is_living_wage>.
City employees are already compensated at the current living wage rate, as are many contracted staff.
In July 2015, Council approved a motion affirming its commitment to have the City of Vancouver become certified as a Living Wage Employer and directed staff to report back on the steps necessary to achieve that goal.
This initiative is part of the City’s Healthy City Strategy. Phase 2 of the Healthy City Strategy includes 19 high-priority actions for 2015-2018, outlining an approach to respond to the guiding principles, long term goals and indicators for achieving and measuring progress which included becoming a Living Wage employer.
Adopting a living wage policy demonstrates the City’s commitment to support Vancouver residents and families, and healthy, thriving communities.

For more information about the living wage, visit: vancouver.ca/doing-business/living-wage<http://vancouver.ca/doing-business/living-wage.aspx> .

1 COMMENT

  1. real easy when dealing with tax payers money. This vision council has absolutely no financial responsibility. Wasted millions and millions on bike lanes, swelled the number of people working at the city and basically spent like the morons they are.

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