A new report suggests hourly wages required to live in Ontario have increased amid decades-high inflation and remain significantly above the province’s minimum wage.
The Ontario Living Wage Network published the report Monday saying the living wage in Hamilton is $19.05, up nearly 11 per cent from $17.20 a year before.
Ontario’s minimum wage is $15.50 an hour.
The report said the biggest spike was in Sault Ste. Marie, where the living wage increased by 21.6 per cent since last year.
READ MORE: Ontario announces general minimum wage for gig workers
Their calculation considers the basic costs of living, such as housing, food, clothing and transportation, as well as factors like government benefits, to figure out how much a worker needs to make hourly in order to live in their region.
Canada’s annual inflation rate was 6.9 per cent in September. It has been steadily lowering since hitting its highest rate this year of 8.1 per cent in June.
Statistics Canada is scheduled to release data for October on Wednesday.
The living wage in Toronto and Halton and Peel regions are the highest, with the living wage at $23.15.
READ MORE: Annual inflation rate was 6.9% in September: StatCan
In the Niagara region, the living wage is $19.80, which is up almost 5 per cent from $18.90 the previous year.
The living wage increased 14 per cent in Haldimand-Norfolk from $17.35 to $19.80.
The living wage calculations are updated annually and released in November.
