Yellowknife's 'living wage' is around $20 an hour, says report

Workers in Yellowknifewould need to be paid about $20 an hourto earn a "living wage," according to an Alberta-based consultant.

Michel Haenerwrote a reportforAlternatives North, a Yellowknife-basedsocial justice coalition.

Shesays for a two-parent family living in Yellowknife with one child in school and one in daycare, each parentwould need to have a full-time job paying$20.68 per hour to earn a living wage. That works out to an annual gross household income of$86,029.

The living wage fora single adult would be $19.91, and for a lone parent it would be $25.81.

The minimum wage in the Northwest Territories is $12.50.

Haener says the calculation of expenses was based on basic, cost-of-living expenditures.

"We allocated money for shelter, child care and food, but also for other essentials such as a phone and a small budget for recreation and gifts," says Haener.

"The budget is very modest."

Alternatives North says the benefits of a living wage are improved staff retention, productivity, and goodwill in the community.

Not all experts agree. A2014 report by the Fraser Institute saidmandatinga wage above the prevailing market rate means "fewer jobs and hours become available and it is usually the people who are less skilled who are most adversely affected."