The Ontario Living Wage Network has added three new businesses from Waterloo Region to their list of certified living wage employers. One of them is Dirty Goats Construction, a landscaping company based out of Cambridge. “It comes across maybe as just a small step, but it means a lot more,” said Jared Beeksma, the business’ owner. Earlier this week, the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) released its latest report on how much people need to make to live and participate in their community. They said people living in Waterloo Region, Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin need to make a minimum of $23.40 per hour. The calculations include the cost of food, shelter, transportation, recreation and a “modest vacation.” Beeksma is a retired professional football player and said he committed to the living wage for his two full-time employees because they’re all part of the team. “In the locker room, guys always wanted to feel appreciated and feel like they’re part of a team,” he said. “I felt like this was a great gesture towards the guys to make them feel like I care for them.” It’s a move that dozens of companies in Waterloo Region and beyond have made. “We currently have over 600 certified living wage employers across Ontario and 73 of those are right here in Waterloo Region,” Anne Coleman, OLWN’s executive director, said. “It’s something that certainly benefits workers. If somebody is earning a living wage, hopefully that means they’re able to pay all of their bills, that they don’t have to make those tough decisions around buying healthy food for themselves and their family.” Unlike minimum wage, the living wage varies across the province. This year’s report shows people in the GTA would need to earn the most at $27.60 per hour, while pepole living in the London area need to make the least at $21.15. “I just remind people that this is a very modest wage. It’s a basic wage to try and ensure that people are not living in poverty,” Coleman explained. With the list of certified employers comprised mostly of small businesses and nonprofit organizations, Coleman said she hopes to see bigger corporations get involved in the future because it helps the businesses share their values. Meanwhile, Beeksma hopes to lead by example and encourage others to join the list. “They say money talks. It’s a great first step, among other things, that can make an employee want to stay with you longer.” The other Waterloo Reigon-based companies added to the list on Thursday are M.R.C. Wireless and Strata Research Ltd.
