The minimum wage that each person needs to earn is increasing in all areas of Ontario studied by the Ontario Living Wage Network.

In Toronto, the housing affordability crisis and rising food prices are forcing the "most vulnerable" residents to tighten their belts even more.

This has been proven by the Ontario Living Wage Network in its new report that the minimum wage needed by a person living in the Greater Toronto Area has increased by 8.2% in one year.

In Toronto, the minimum wage rose to $25.05 per hour this year, which is $8.50 higher than the minimum wage of $16.55 per hour set by the provincial government.

On October 1, 2023, the Ontario government increased the minimum wage by 6.8%, a measure that could benefit nearly one million low-income employees.

However, this set wage floor is far too low to live on in the Greater Toronto Area, according to the Ontario Living Wage Network.

Craig Pickthorn, the agency's spokesperson, said that if you work full-time, you should be able to cover your expenses.

Rising housing and food costs are reducing the purchasing power of wages.

From their perspective, the level of affordability is worse in Toronto than in the rest of the province because the current minimum wage is not sufficient.

The living wage determined by this organization is calculated in response to the cost of living by region.

Craig Pickthorn explained that this calculation takes into account necessary expenses such as rent, food basket, transportation costs, daycare costs, and other expenses like phone and internet services, among others.

The minimum wage that must be earned has increased across the province, with Ottawa seeing the largest increase at 12%. These necessary wage compensation levels are updated annually on the first Monday of November, according to the organization's website.

More and more employers are participating...

On the other hand, an increasing number of employers have committed to paying their employees wages that allow them to live with dignity, according to the Ontario Living Wage Network. Once they do, these companies receive a certificate from the organization.