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Living wage doesn't apply to lease holders: Port Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam this year became one of the first municipalities in Canada to pay its employees and contractors a living wage.
PoCo Heritage

Port Coquitlam this year became one of the first municipalities in Canada to pay its employees and contractors a living wage.

But since the policy went into effect Jan. 1, city staff say there may be some tweaks as it implements the new regulation.

The topic came up at last night's budget and infrastructure committee when PoCo Heritage — the society in charge of the museum and archives — asked for $5,000 to pay its full-time employee a living wage.

President Julie Schmidt told The Tri-City News on Tuesday that the city granted $19,000 to the society in 2015 to hire a part-time employee. Six months ago, the society increased the job hours to 32.5 hours a week in order to secure a summer intern under a federal government program.

That job pays $18 per hour but the society wants to hike the salary to $20.64 per hour to match the city's living wage policy.

Schmidt said the society is in the process of hiring a replacement full-time staffer and "many of the people that are applying for this position are very well-educated and have invested in their future. We would like to offer the successful person a salary that reflects that."

Still, according to a city staff report, the living wage policy that council adopted last year doesn't extend to groups with lease agreements and, as a result, the city has no obligation to apply its living wage.

Staff suggested turning down the $5,000 request (the committee meeting was held after The Tri-City News' deadline).

Lori Bowie, PoCo's recreation director, noted New Westminster — which also has a living wage — doesn't apply its policy to lease holders.

Besides PoCo Heritage, which uses city space in The Outlet at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village and last year received $55,000 from the municipality, the city has lease deals with a number of other organizations including: Pajo's (Gates Park); PoCo Physio (Hyde Creek); Lea Hartley Massage (Hyde Creek); J&Y Foods Servery (Hyde Creek); Hyde Creek Educational Centre and Hatchery (Hyde Creek); and the Salvation Army (Elgin Avenue).

"As this is the first year for the city's living wage policy, there may be other issues that come up that were not included or contemplated when the policy was adopted and implemented," Bowie wrote in her report, dated Feb. 28. "Staff did commit to the Living Wage Campaign that our implementation would include monitoring issues that may arise during the first year and bringing these back to council, if appropriate."

In the Living Wage for Families Campaign guide, employers are encouraged to consider living wage language in lease agreements.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com