N.B. family of four needs $24 hourly wage: advocacy group
A family with two working parents and two young children would need an hourly wage of more than $24 to cover basic needs and live in dignity in New Brunswick, according to a new report.
The Human Development Council – a Saint John-based social issues advocacy group – says the living wage in the province for a family of four is $24.62. A living wage is the hourly rate a family would need to earn to support childhood development, avoid financial stress, and participate in the community.
“Many families in the province earn less than a living wage and struggle to make ends meet,” said Randy Hatfield, executive director of the Human Development Council, in a news release. “While we are not advocating for the living wage to become the minimum wage, the data supports the need for an increase. Furthermore, the living wage framework underscores the role of effective public policies in making life more affordable for families.”
The current minimum wage in New Brunswick is $15.30, which is the second-lowest in Atlantic Canada. It increased from $14.75 last April.
The report from the Human Development Council says it calculated the living wage in accordance with the Canadian Living Wage Framework, which defines the wage as a household’s hourly rate at which it can meet its basic needs after government transfers are added to the income.
The report found shelter, food, and child care make up the three biggest expenses for families in New Brunswick.
“The living wage methodology has its limitations,” the report reads. “It does not reflect the reality of people who do not work full-time. Furthermore, it uses a specific reference family with working parents and two young children.
“This living wage is likely not high enough to meet the financial needs of different family types, like couples with more than two children, families with younger children requiring more intensive and expensive child care, or families with a single income earner and multiple children.”
The report broke down the living wage for the three biggest cities in New Brunswick:
- Fredericton: $25.88 (up $1.38 from 2023)
- Moncton: $24.07 (up $1.32 from 2023)
- Saint John: $24.07 (up $0.72 from 2023)
“New Brunswick does not have a dominant urban area,” the release notes. “Therefore, data availability is sparse, especially for geographies outside of Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton. There is sufficient data to calculate living wages for the three cities but in other less populated areas of the province, that is not the case.”
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING 'The best that we can be': Indigenous judge and TRC chair Murray Sinclair dies at 73
Murray Sinclair, who was born when Indigenous people did not yet have the right to vote, grew up to become one of the most decorated and influential people to work in Indigenous justice and advocacy.
India's Modi, Canada's Trudeau condemn violence at Hindu temple near Toronto
The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Frustration over Mideast war in America's largest Arab-majority city may push some away from Democrats
As an ongoing part of Omar on the Road: America Decides 2024, CTV National News visited the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus to talk to Arab-American students about why they’re feeling left out of the Democrats’ tent.
3 people arrested after incident during protest at Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont.: Peel police
Peel Regional Police say three people are in custody as they continue to investigate an incident during a demonstration at a Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday.
Judge rules against Alberta casino, dinner theatre operator
An application to stay a receivership order of Mayfield Investments Ltd., a company that owns multiple businesses in Alberta including the Camrose Resort and Casino, Medicine Hat Lodge and Calgary's Stage West Dinner Theatre, has been denied by the court.
Ikea will pay 6 million euros to East German prisoners forced to build their furniture in landmark move
Furniture giant Ikea has agreed to pay 6 million euros (US$6.5 million) towards a government fund compensating victims of forced labour under Germany's communist dictatorship, in a move campaigners hope will pressure other companies to follow.
Police arrest Netanyahu aide as opponents accuse him of leaking intelligence to thwart Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
Israeli police have arrested a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegedly leaking classified information to foreign media.
Candlelight vigil held outside Halifax Walmart where employee was found dead
Hundreds of mourners took part in a candlelight vigil Sunday night for a young woman who was found dead at a Halifax Walmart last month.