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If you think it’s difficult to make ends meet in Renfrew County, the Health Unit agrees with you.
The RCDHU has calculated what wage a family of 4 needs to cover their basic expenses and participate in the community. The Unit says a family has to earn $16.80 per hour to get by in the county. The calculation was based on what two 35 year old adults would have to earn while supporting a 7 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. Both parents would be working 35 hours a week all year. They say costs used to calculate a living wage include basic items like food, shelter, transportation and child care. They also add a small amount for recreation. The living wage does not consider costs for debt repayment, retirement savings, children’s education or home ownership.
The Health Unit says that many workers earn low wages and face impossible choices. These include choosing between food and rent, or things like car payments and heat. They say that the resulting debts and constant anxiety causes long term health problems. The Unit also says that the adoption of a living wage would lift many low wage earners out of poverty and improve public health.
The current minimum wage in Ontario is $14 an hour.
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