The Human Development Council and Vibrant Communities are trying to formulate what a living wage should be. The Executive-Director of the Human Development Council Randy Hatfield tells CHSJ News from 15 to 17 dollars an hour is not unreasonable in this day and age.The minimum wage right now in the province is 10 dollars an hour.
Barry Galloway of Vibrant Communities says we're in a crisis now with the state of the economy being what it is but it's at times like when the best ideas come to the surface. The poverty rate a few years ago was 20 per cent but that was before the big financial meltdown of 2008.
Hatfield says besides higher wages on the low end, there should be working income tax credits and subsidies for childcare. Both Hatfield and Galloway agree a growing problem in Saint John is finding safe, affordable housing.