Living wage in Dawson Creek increases to $20.64

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The living wage in Dawson Creek increased 0.5 per cent from last year to $20.64.

The 2023 Living Wage report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC Office and Living Wage for Families BC calculates the hourly amount that two parents working full-time must earn to support a family of four.

According to the report from Anastasia French,  provincial manager for Living Wage for Families BC, rent and food prices have risen across the province, contributing to the rise in living wages.

However, Dawson Creek has the lowest cost of living in the province. Clayoquot Sound has the highest cost of living at $26.51, with Daajing Giids not far behind at $26.25.

Just south of the Peace region, in Prince George, the cost of living is $22.09, a 4.2 per cent increase from 2022.

The minimum wage in B.C. is $16.75 as of June 1st, 2023.

“In the last two years, the gap between the minimum wage and living wages in BC has grown significantly. In Metro Vancouver, this gap is now close to nine dollars per hour, ” said French.

The list of 19 BC communities that calculated a living wage can be found on Living Wage for Families BC’s website.