The Editor,
Re. “PoCo ctte. gives initial OK to living wage policy” (The Tri-City News, Dec. 9).
I was delighted to see Port Coquitlam council is close to adopting a living wage policy for all city workers and for contractors doing more than 120 hours of work for the city a year. Thank you so much to all those involved that worked hard to make this happen.
The city of New Westminster’s living wage began at $19.62 an hour in 2011 and, in Vancouver, it now stands at $20.68 an hour. In our community we have other living wage employers such as Vancity. We need more living wage employers.
I was equally happy to see that Living Wage for Families Campaign’s Deanna Ogle saying, “We want to get the best practices and move ahead.”
It is said that when employees are paid a better wage, they are more loyal and productive, and they feel valued. A living wage lifts people out of poverty and builds stronger, healthier, sustainable communities. Raising taxes approximately $4.80 a year to adopt a living wage policy for our city is not unreasonable to me.
Will we see our other two cities in the Tri-Cities adopt a living wage policy? Come on, Coquitlam and Port Moody. This challenge is one worth fighting for.
Nancy McCurrach,
Port Coquitlam
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‘A LIVING TAX’
The Editor,
Seems to me we should have a living tax level, so we all having a living wage and can LIVE.
Barbara Nuttall,
Port Moody
