1. Living Wage: Quality of Life – Not Poverty for Life! Vibrant Communities Saint John Tuesday, June 18, 2013

2. radiofreethinker.com

3. What is a Living Wage? The living wage is defined as an hourly wage that is high enough to allow a family to pay for the basic necessities of life and to participate in the civic/social life of their community. www.industriall-union.org

4. www.btlonline.org

5. Why does a Living Wage matter? this.org

6. How do we calculate a Living Wage? Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: “Working for a Living Wage” (2012) Calculates the living wage for a two-parent, two children, two income family – can be adjusted Calculation Guide Interactive Excel Spreadsheet http://www.policyalternatives.ca/livingwage2012

7. Market Based Measure – NB (2009) In Focus: Cost of Poverty in New Brunswick – The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2011)

8. Daycare Costs – NB (2013) New Brunswick Child Care Cost Information – Go Day Care (2013)

9. www.cartoonwork.com

10. Who supports Living Wages? New Westminster, BC Abbotsford, BC Esquilmalt, BC Victoria, BC Calgary, AL Hamilton, ON Kingston, ON Waterloo, ON Niagara, ON Winnipeg, MB Vancity Credit Union KPMG Canadian Cancer Society - BC & Yukon Division Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives United Way of the Lower Mainland United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW)

11. Identified Challenges Lack of knowledge (public & private) MANY arguments against Difficult to change public perceptions Lack of resources at community level to run a successful campaign

12. Next Steps.... Gather realistic & accurate information Conduct a review of available literature Take the community’s pulse DO the calculation Identify possible drawbacks Research Report: Living Wage Campaigns – Community Profiles – The Research Shop (2011)

13. What does a living wage mean? I would have time to volunteer with my church. I would be able to take my girlfriend out on a date. I would be able to see my children. I would be able to afford to start a family. I would be able to get to the end of the month without using my credit card. I would be able to afford to send my kids on a field trip. I would be able to buy enough food for my family. I wouldn't have to work two jobs just to make ends meet.