When it comes to wages and the cost-of-living, Whistler is falling behind.
According to Whistler 2020 metrics, the number of permanent residents with incomes below the cost-of-living was 31 per cent in 2008, 13 per cent more than in 2006. As well, between 66 per cent and 85 per cent of seasonal residents reported incomes below the established cost-of-living. And the cost-of-living is increasing, while wages are not.
Enter Seth Klein. Klein is a member of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) who specializes on the issue of the affordability.
He will be giving a talk on "Living Wages in Sustainable Communities: Taking Leadership on Affordability" on Thursday, May 19. The event is presented by the Whistler Forum's Leadership Sea to Sky Cohort VII, the CCPA and the Trudeau Foundation.
Klein will discuss the concept of a living wage and how organizations have been certified as Living Wage Employers by the Metro Vancouver Living Wage for Families Campaign - and lessons learned in the process.
The event is by donation, and is recommended for community and political leaders, business leaders and Whistler 2020 Task Force members (especially from Resident Affordability, Economic and Finance committees), although the event is open to everyone.
Klein's presentation is from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Resort & Spa, in the Mt. Currie room.
For more information, visit www.whistlerforum.com.
