Image Credit: CCPA

By Adam Berls

living wage

Living wage in Prince George increases by 4.2%

Nov 8, 2023 | 3:06 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A new report has shown that the living wage continues to rise in B.C., meaning that families are struggling to make ends meet.

The 2023 Living Wage report was released on Wednesday and has found that the rising costs of rent, food, gas prices and other necessities has driven this year’s increase of the living wage in Prince George and across the province. The living wage is the hourly rate that each of two parents working full-time needs to earn in order to support a family of four in their community. It is calculated by determining the cost of a basket of goods and services that reflect a decent, if modest, standard of living and takes into account basic needs like housing, food, child care, transportation, health-care expenses not covered by the provincial medical services plan.

“The increase in Prince George, the increase in the living wage is about 4.2%. It’s about the same as generally inflation. So it’s tracking general inflation ever so slightly higher. What this represents is is still a very big increase. And the reality is that many people’s wages have not gone up by that much.” – Iglika Ivanova, CCPA Senior Economist

The 4.2% increase translates to a $0.90 increase from 2022, bringing the living wage in Prince George to $22.09. Here is a list of the living wage in other communities across B.C.:

Spruce Kings fall in Langley to Rivermen

9h ago

Sexual Assault and Harassment

Judge to rule on Canada Post employee's sexual assault and harassment case

Dec 13, 2025

Weather Alerts

Freezing rain warning issued for Prince George-area, snowfall warning remains for Williston, Pine Pass

Dec 13, 2025

• Clayoquot Sound – $26.51
• Daajing Giids – $26.25
• Dawson Creek – $20.64
• Greater Victoria – $25.40
• Kamloops – $20.91
• Kelowna – $24.60
• Fraser Valley – $20.66
• Metro Vancouver – $25.68
• Nanaimo – $22.87

The living wage report is not only a way to highlight the increased costs of living and how wages have not kept up, the authors say it is also a call to employers.

“We hope that it encourages more employers to do the right thing and to set a benchmark of what the lowest amount someone should be able to earn is to be able to just get by.” – Anastasia French, Provincial Manager for Living Wage for Families BC

There are nearly 400 businesses in B.C. are certified living wage employers, including some here in Prince George, like Integris Credit Union. Employers have committed to pay all their direct staff and contract employees a living wage.

The authors of the report are also calling on political parties to put forward tangible strategies in response to the affordability crisis in B.C., ahead of the next provincial election, where affordability will be front and center on the campaign. One suggestion put forward is to embed living wage policies in government procurement systems and to bridge the gap between the living wage and the minimum wage.

—

Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com