Nov 26 - Victoria living wage nearly $10 more than minimum wage

Good morning !

With the mounting stress caused by Victoria’s skyrocketing cost of living—check out our first story to see how much it’s risen—affordable therapy is something many people in the city need, but struggle to access.

Our second story takes a look at a local counselling service that works to offer low-cost mental health support for all residents—but it will need some financial help of its own to keep this work going.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Victoria’s living wage nearly $10 more an hour than current minimum wage

Victoria’s living wage has increased by 5% since last year, jumping to $26.78 from $25.40, according to a report from Living Wage BC. The living wage calculates how much each of two parents working full-time must earn hourly to support a family of four in their community. Minimum wage in BC rose to $17.40 this year, matching the consumer price index. For locals on disability pay—$15 an hour—payments would need to double to meet Victoria’s cost of living. 

The jump is not as dramatic as in previous years—in 2022, the living wage in Victoria rose by 20%—but, while inflation has eased from record highs, essential costs like rent and food continue to rise faster than general inflation. Victoria’s living wage has risen by nearly $6.50 from the pre-pandemic estimate of $19.39 in 2019.

Housing prices further pushing costs

Rent is the key culprit for this year’s rise with 22 of 25 BC communities measured. Victoria had the third-highest rent in Canada in 2023, with the average two-bedroom purpose-built rental unit costing $1,839 a month—almost $500 more than the national average, according to a report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The report states that a person making minimum wage in Victoria must spend 40% of their monthly income on rent. 

While the province and feds have eased some of the cost of living, through affordable child-care initiatives, elimination of Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums, and the gradual roll-out of the Canadian Dentalcare Plan, the cost of shelter continues to skyrocket.

“No government efforts to address the cost of living crisis can succeed without moving the dial on housing affordability,” Living Wage BC’s report states.

Healthy eating will cost you

Food is the second-highest cost for families. The average cost for a household of four is $1,222 per month, based on the cost of purchasing Health Canada’s National Nutritious Food Basket, a measurement used to track the cost of a healthy diet. The basket does not consider special dietary needs, cultural or other food preferences, and take-out or restaurant meals.

The living wage is defined as a moderate quality of life—according to the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria, while it is more than a survival wage, “it is not an affluent wage. It is lower than what is needed to obtain much of what is considered normal in our community.”

Read Living Wage BC’s recommendations for government action here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

BC Transit route reductions starting Dec. 4.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Victoria volunteer counsellors need support this Giving Tuesday

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed and skating uphill on dull blades trying to meet life’s challenges, you may know that talking to someone—putting things in perspective and maybe providing a little guidance—can be powerful.

It’s at such times the Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre (GVCCC)—often known simply as Citizens’ Counselling—on Kings in Quadra Village can be invaluable.  

Not everyone has benefits or can pay $150-200 an hour to discuss their problems.

That’s where, since 1969, Citizens’ Counselling has come in, providing volunteer counselling on a sliding scale of $10 to $70 per session.

But this time, it’s the non-profit that could use a financial break. Citizens’ Counselling needs $60K by the end of next March to keep the lights on, so to speak.

“And that is still going to leave us pretty lean, but it would at least put us in reasonable shape,” Holt Sivak, the GVCCC executive director tells Capital Daily.

Citizens’ Counselling—which last year, provided 6,800+ hours of therapy to nearly 1K people—relies on grants and foundations for most of its funding: The Victoria Foundation, and United Way, to name two. About a quarter of Citizens’ cash flow comes from what it charges its clients, as the 80 or so counsellors forgo any payment.

A week from today, Citizens’ Counselling will take part in Giving Tuesday—a day where we’re all encouraged to be charitable to our community’s charities—and volunteers will be on the phone asking for donations before Citizens hosts a special, not-yet-determined fundraiser in the spring. 

As Sue Dakers, Citizens’ vice-chair, says, “If you, or somebody you know has ever benefitted from counselling you know how valuable it is. You know how far-reaching counselling can be in positively improving lives in our community.” 

There are several ways to help improve our community, including donating one-time or monthly—and if you’re a BC government worker, you can specify Citizens’ Counselling as the donor choice of your PECSF fund.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🎙 Heather Ferguson at Hermann's Jazz Club on November 29! With Attila Fias, Scott White, Kelby MacNayr, Miguelito Valdes and Barrie Sorensen. Be there, or be square! Check her out on Apple and Spotify.*

🎵 New music: Hear Victoria artist Kele Fleming’s new track “Turing Test.” [YouTube]

💌 Get Victoria Foundation updates right to your inbox with a bi-weekly eNewsletter. For foundation news, publications like Vital Signs, funding announcements, and spotlights on local nonprofits!*

🍄 Little nests: Bird’s nest fungi cover a branch in North Qualicum. [Facebook photo]

🎅🏽 Come on down to The Peninsula Co-op 42nd Santa Claus Parade to kick off Christmas on the West Coast! November 30 at 5pm. Grab a hot chocolate at Douglas and Humboldt for the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank!*

⏳ Old Victoria: Douglas Street photographed in 1884. [Facebook photo]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Person rescued from water near Johnson Street Bridge
Two firefighters had to enter the water to rescue the person who reportedly jumped from the bridge late Sat. night. The person was found alive beneath the outriggers of a large vessel, preventing fire crews from using typical rescue protocol from their vessel. The person was met at the dock by paramedics and the firefighters were promptly rewarmed. 

Multiple Comox snowy mountain rescues over weekend 
An injured snowboarder on Mt. Allan Brooks in Strathcona provincial park was found overnight by crews and helicoptered away on Monday morning. On Saturday, Comox Valley SAR airlifted a hurt snowmobiler from Mt. Washington to Courtenay. Daily avalanche risk updates began last week, and most of the Island was at elevated risk this past weekend.

Esquimalt baker finishes as Canadian Baking Show runner-up
Jen Childs, who has been auditioning for the show since its original season, made it to the season 8 finale after winning the weekly Star Baker crown in three episodes. She finished as a runner-up, with Edmonton’s Elora Khanom taking the crown. Check out our Tasting Victoria profile of the local baking star here.

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SPONSORED BY THE CANADIAN CLUB OF VICTORIA

Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle: tour and buffet lunch

Members and friends are invited on December 2 from 10am-1:30pm to join a tour of Craigdarroch Castle. See what was once the home of the Dunsmuir family, and now a designated National Historic site, beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. A traditional Christmas buffet follows at the Hotel Grand Pacific.

This event is also the annual fundraiser for the Camosun College Canadian Club Bursary.

For details and to register by November 28, visit the website.

A registration to this event would make a great early Christmas gift for family and friends.

🗓️ Things to do

🎶 Just the 2 of Us: See the singing duo at Charlie White Theatre tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🇯🇲 Reggaefied: Hear reggae remixes of your favourite soul and R&B tracks at The Mint tonight. 8pm [Info]

Looking for something to do this weekend? Subscribe to This Week In Vic to get the full list of what’s on this week.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday headlines: BC Legislature won't restart until Feb.; Crystal Pool won't reopen until Dec. 30; Paint dries on Breakwater murals; And more. [Nov. 25]

Rainbow behind the totem pole in Beacon Hill park. [Instagram]

New music from local “Lover Boy” Diamond Cafe. [YouTube]

Mural restoration on southern side of Breakwater wraps up. [GVHA]

100 years of Mill Bay ferry: From its troubled launch and sinking, to its reliability for commuters and tourists—read about its century of service. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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