Eleven Cambridge employers have received accreditation from the Ontario Living Wage Network.
Grosche, Kings Energy Service Ltd., Langs Farm Village Association, Little Mushroom Catering and Dining Lounge, Meridian Credit Union Galt, Meridian Credit Union Hespeler, Safety Tree, Satellite Community Homes, Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited, Pretty By Her Inc. and the rare Charitable Research Reserve all met the OLWN criteria that requires employers to pay its employees a minimum of $21.30 per hour.
The organization, which is made up of employers, employees, non-profits, researchers and proponents of decent work standards for all Ontario workers, determined the living wage in the region of Dufferin/Guelph/Wellington/Waterloo based on what a resident needs to earn to cover the actual cost of living in their community.
The calculation includes expenses for families of two adults supporting two small children, a single parent and a single adult. Food, clothing, shelter, childcare, transportation, medical expenses, recreation and a modest vacation are all weighed when determining the rate.
Home ownership, child education funds, debt repayment and retirement savings are not included.
The Dufferin/Guelph/Wellington/Waterloo region is tied for fifth among the 10 areas of the province that are ranked, with Toronto leading the way at $26 per hour. London/Elgin/Oxford is the lowest living wage region at $19.50.
The $21.30 required to qualify is a 1.9 per cent jump from the $20.90 needed in 2023. In 2022, $19.95 was considered a living wage.
Two employers notably missing from the list are the City of Cambridge and Region of Waterloo.
Craig Pickthorne, the director of communications for OLWN, said the city let its certification lapse but that both it and the region are still certified at the organization's highest level.
The top level of accreditation means full-time, part-time and contracted workers earn at least a living wage.
"It has the most impact because its the cleaners and security guards (usually contracted) that see a raise upon certification," Pickthorne said in an email.
"Every employer must agree on a timeline to reach this level, most do it right away, but sometimes they need some runway to renegotiate service contracts."
Alana Russell, director of communications for the city, confirmed that an adjustment for the increase in living wage has been added to the 2025 Mayor's budget.
Mayor Jan Liggett presented a $175.7 million operational budget last month, with 55.9 per cent representing salaries and benefits.
It includes the addition of 30.23 full time equivalent staff which brings the city's full staffing complement to 842.84.
For more information on the OLWN visit ontariolivingwage.ca.
