April 28, 2010 “The first city in Canada to support a Living Wage for Families” The adoption of a Living Wage for Families policy in New Westminster represents a momentous victory for working people. New Westminster is the first city in Canada to support a Living Wage for Families policy. In a unanimous vote that took place on April 26, 2010, New Westminster City Council voted to adopt a Living Wage as established by the Living Wage for Families Campaign for employees who are directly or indirectly paid by the City and work on City premises or property. (*see motion below) There are individuals and organizations the New Westminster & District Labour Council would like to thank and acknowledge. First, thank you to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition for their work and commitment to issues of poverty and specifically for the establishment of a Living Wage for Families in the Metro Vancouver region. The Living Wage for Families document, produced by their researchers and staff, gives advocates and decision makers the confidence to embrace this policy now and into the future. Second, thank you to all the community activists, union members and organizations who endorsed the Living Wage for Families campaign, supported the work of the Living Wage Advisory Committee and presented the first Living Wage proposal in the City of New Westminster. Third, and most importantly our sincere appreciation and thanks goes to the Labour Council's labour-endorsed City Councillors Jonathan Cote, Bill Harper, Jaimie McEvoy and Lorrie Williams. Their tireless efforts on the Living Wage campaign as a priority for their City, was rewarded with a unanimous vote. Without their dedication and support we would not be celebrating such a remarkable victory. Thank you to all members of Council for their support. The following motion was passed at the April 26, 2010, Council meeting: "That the City establish a Living Wage Policy that is tied to an hourly rate established each year by the Living Wage for Families Campaign; and, That the Living Wage policy will apply to both full time and part time employees; and, That there be no threshold in terms of dollar value of a contract or number of employees; and, That the policy apply to persons that perform physical work on City premises and properties; and, That staff bring back information to Council regarding implications of the Living Wage on contracted services." The New Westminster & District Labour will continue to work in collaboration with our affiliated unions and the Living Wage Advisory Committee to seek support for the Living Wage Policy in communities across our region. The Labour Council's region includes the communities of Burnaby, Anmore, Belcarra, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Langley City & Township, Surrey, White Rock, Delta and New Westminster. If you require more information please contact the Labour Council office @ nwdlc@shawcable.com or call 604-291-9306. As well, you may contact Councillor Jaimie McEvoy about the New Westminster Living Wage Campaign @ jmcevoy@newwestcity.ca. | 
