About
The Living Wage Program is an Ontario-wide program established by the Ontario Living Wage Network, now administered by United Way Niagara and funded through the Niagara Prosperity Initiative.
Living Wage Niagara
United Way Niagara is excited to host the Living Wage Program after nearly seven years of establishment in Niagara.
Niagara Prosperity Initiative
Funded by the Niagara Prosperity Initiative through Niagara Region, the Living Wage Program aims to address poverty through corporate social responsibility. Providing a living wage is an important policy lever that can help lift Niagara residents out of poverty and provide them with basic economic security and opportunities for social inclusion.
Background
The Living Wage Program is an Ontario-wide program established by the Ontario Living Wage Network. It is a voluntary program that is designed to help businesses attract and retain employees, particularly for low-paying jobs. In 2015, the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (NPRN) adopted the Living Wage Program, acting as the Champion organization for all things related to living wage in Niagara. Over seven years, and with the help of NPRN, 86 employers were certified as living wage employers.
In the fall of 2022, through the Niagara Prosperity Initiative, United Way Niagara received a grant to continue and expand this work in Niagara. A full-time Living Wage Coordinator was brought on to expand this work through relationship building in the community, social marketing, education, and advocacy.
Living Wage Employers in Niagara
The list of Niagara Living Wage Employers is growing monthly and can be viewed by industry or on the interactive map. Are you on the list?
View Living Wage EmployersLiving Wage Program Coordinator
Contact Living Wage Coordinator
Supporting the Niagara Region
United Way tackles local poverty by supporting the people impacted by it and the neighbourhoods they live in. This is done by building and strengthening a network of over 70 community agencies, focused on emerging issues and shifting to areas that need it most. As Niagara Region recovers and rebuilds from the pandemic, the United Way is on the ground in every municipality across Niagara, ensuring friends and neighbours have the support and resources they need to not just survive, but thrive. This work is rooted in strategic leadership, local advocacy and cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building Niagara's social safety net. Through equitable and lasting solutions to urgent and ongoing challenges related to poverty, food insecurity, mental well-being and other social issues, United Way Niagara can make meaningful change.
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We didn’t want to start a business where we had to rely on paying less than what it takes to live. It’s only fair, and the store wouldn’t be what it is without our staff. They are important to us.
