A4 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015, TRI-CITY NEWS
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PORT COQUITLAM
PoCo ctte. gives initial OK to living wage policy Estimated annual cost to taxpayers would be $140k
poCo quesTioNs Cop fuNdiNg formula
JANIS WARREN
The Tri-CiTy News
The city of Port Coquitlam is on its way to joining New Westminster and, soon, Vancouver, to become a living wage employer. This week, the city’s finance committee unanimously voted to apply for living wage certification for municipal employees and major contractors. This year’s living wage for Metro Vancouver is $20.68 per hour, which is based on CMHC housing costs for the city of Vancouver. But PoCo could have a slightly lower rate at $19.75 per hour based on the TriCities Primary Rental Market Statistics. Steve Traviss, PoCo’s human resources manager, told the finance committee Monday the total cost to taxpayers would be between $6,000 and $40,000 just for city staff. As well, the city would face another $100,000 bill annually for contract costs. The combined $140,000 a year would translate to a 0.24% tax impact (or $4.80) for a owner of an average single-family home. Still, Traviss said one contract the city has represents half of that $100,000 hit and council has been considering for some time to bring that work in-house. In his report, Traviss recommended the committee not support the living wage campaign driven by the Labour Council that was adopted five years ago in the Royal City — the first municipality in Canada. The topic of introducing a living wage has come before PoCo council a few times and was raised in last fall’s civic election by Nancy McCurrach, a labour-endorsed candidate. If PoCo includes it in its 2017 budget, the living wage would apply to all full-time, part-time and casual employees as well as contract employees doing more than 120 hours of city work per year. Up to 10% of total city staff positions can be classified as trainees and, therefore, wouldn’t be paid the living wage. These include aquatic, arena and recreation attendant jobs. Traviss said New Westminster has kept the living wage out of its collective agreement and provides rebate cheques to city workers who fall below the living wage rate. PoCo councillors said they would like to learn more about New West’s experience before they officially certify (Vancouver’s study is expected to take up to three years before
POCO MAYOR GREG MOORE fully implemented). Mayor Greg Moore said council may be counting its pennies to keep costs down at city hall but paying staff a fair wage makes sense. And he’d like PoCo businesses to follow suit. “We want to be leaders. We need our residents to be paid fairly to live and prosper,” he told The Tri-City News Tuesday. Coun. Brad West said many PoCo families are struggling to make ends meet given the high price for housing, food, fuel, child care needs, education and medical expenses, among other things. “This is about fairness and justice and an increased
Port Coquitlam, which shares an RCMP detachment with Coquitlam, is also considering a request to hire six more Mounties in the new year. But Mayor Greg Moore said city staff have asked local police to review the cost-sharing formula for contracted policing services with its neighbouring municipality. The formula is out-of-date, Moore contends, as it is based on factors such as population. “We need to look at geography as well,” he said. “When the formula was designed, Westwood Plateau and Burke Mountain development hadn’t happened.” Moore said the new formula should also take into account the Evergreen Line, which is due to start operation through Port Moody and Coquitlam in early 2017. jwarren@tricitynews.com
standard of living,” he said Monday, adding, “I think there’s a cost that’s worth it.” A call to the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce for comment was not immediately returned but Deanna Ogle, campaign organizer for Living Wage for Families Campaign, said she was pleased with the news. “This is a small cost to the city but a big benefit for fami-
lies. There are a few families who will really see the benefit because of Port Coquitlam’s leadership and we look forward to working with them to ensure it’s realized. “Like in New West, it’s not about reinventing the wheel,” Ogle said. “We want to get the best practices and move ahead.” jwarren@tricitynews.com @jwarrenTC
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