Living wage for Metro Vancouver families drops for first time in 8 years

The hourly wage two working parentsin Metro Vancouver need to earn to support themselves andtwo young children has dropped for the first time in eight years due to changes in federal policy, say advocates.

For a family of four, coveringbasic costs likerent, childcare, and food now requirestwo parents working full time at$20.64 an hour, down from $20.68 the previous year.

"Families aren't going to be a huge amount further ahead, but they're not going to be falling behind," said Deanne Ogle, campaign organizer forA Living Wage for Families.

Ogle says although costs have generally increased in Metro Vancouver rent and childcare saw the largest increasesthe recently revampedCanada Child Benefit has evened out those expenses.

"What it demonstrates is that public policy can have a positive impact on families," Ogle said."We think that governments can do more."

To determine the living wage, Ogle's organization partners with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives andFirst Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalitionto calculate basic costs like MSP premiums, transportationand clothing. The wage also putstax benefits into consideration.

What it doesn't include are costs like retirement savings, debt repayment or education savings for children.

Ogle says about 38 per cent of families in Metro Vancouver don't make enough to cover their basic needs.

"For many people,when they look at the livingwage, it sounds like an impossible dream," she said. "It sounds like a wage that they may never see, and that's a reality of low-wage poverty."

The organization says the living wage has also decreased in:

• Greater Victoria ($20.02).
• Kamloops($17.21).
• Parksville-Qualicum ($16.76).
• Prince George ($16.52).
• The Fraser Valley ($16.28)