The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has released its annual living wage update for Newfoundland and Labrador, and it shows that minimum wages are not keeping up with the rising cost of living.
The new living wage target, according to the centre, is $24.10 for those living in central Newfoundland, $24.70 for people in the Eastern region, $23.10 in western Newfoundland, but it’s up to $27.30 on the Northern Peninsula and in Labrador.
Memorial University political scientist Russell Williams, the report’s co-author, says the discrepancy between the current minimum wage in NL — $15.60 — and a living wage is becoming more pronounced.
He says in most parts of Atlantic Canada there is a $10-an-hour gap between the minimum wage and what people need to earn in order to pay for basic household expenses.
