At the most recent Market Collective, Calgarians gave us – and the Minister of Employment and Immigration, Thomas Lukaszuk – their thoughts on why the Living Wage is important to them.  Here’s what some of them had to say: 

“Those people who cannot meet their basic needs are friends, family, neighbours and Canadians.  To keep people in the cycle of poverty because wages are not high enough is oppressive and selfish.  We can all do better for those we love – it starts with an increase to a Living Wage.”

“I see newborns with malnutrition because people living below poverty water down their formula.  I don’t wanna see this.” 

“I realize that the current minimum wage is preventing my fellow citizens from acquiring their basic necessities.” 

“The expenses in Calgary compared to the wage are higher and hard to live on and pay the bills.”

“I am tired to the point of disgust, that single moms have to make do on so little.  How can the government in the richest province sleep at night when moms go to bed without basic needs.  Not only raise the minimum wage, but begin establishing “benefits” in more jobs for single parents.” 

“Why is it my right to have a house & be able to go to the doctor’s & eat when my neighbour can’t say the same because of the minimum wage.  We all have the right.”

Thanks so much for this input, Market Collective participants!  Stay tuned for more from Calgarians on the Living Wage next week.   

If your business or organization is interested in becoming a Living Wage Leader, please contact the VCC at info@vibrantcalgary.ca.  We can get you started right away!