Whereas "A living wage is the hourly wage an individual needs to earn to afford basic expenses and participate in their community.”; and,
Whereas for example the Ontario Living Wage Network has calculated the 2024 living wage for London Elgin Oxford, was $19.50/hour; and,
Whereas Oxford County has seen the effects of affordability on residents including our own employees; and,
Whereas one of the main contributors to affordability is a person’s ability to afford the increasing costs of goods and services; and,
Whereas all Oxford municipalities have committed to the Safe and Well Oxford Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan which “Prioritizes social development and risk prevention and mitigation strategies, with a focus on causes. By proactively implementing evidence-based situational measures, policies, or programs to reduce priority risks to community safety and well-being we can improve outcomes and reduce crime, victimization, and harm”; and,
Whereas Southwestern Public Health has identified a Living Wage as a tool to address social determinants of health, and as a result become a Living Wage Employer.
Therefore, be it resolved that staff return a report on the feasibility and budget and tax implications of Oxford County becoming a Living Wage Employer.