Councillor disappointed with wage outcome
A policy introduced by a Pitt Meadows politician will not pass
Dave Murray is Pitt Meadows councillor.
Photograph by: Submitted , TIMES
The concept of adopting a living wage for families received a less-than-enthusiastic response from council members at a meeting in Pitt Meadows Tuesday afternoon.
Councillor Dave Murray said he was "a little disappointed" with the report that was provided to council by staff.
"They didn't come forward and say how much it would implicate the budget in Pitt Meadows," he said.
The report talked about Surrey and other municipalities that declined to participate.
However, Murray said the only community that is measurable is New Westminster, because it is the only area to have adopted the policy.
The report pointed out that "it is important to realize that [City of Pitt Meadows] contracts out more services than New Westminster (initial estimate is over 100 contracts that could be eligible from City services alone, excluding agreements held by Maple Ridge on behalf of RCMP and parks and leisure services.)"
Living wage refers to paying contractors a minimum rate, in this case $19 per hour.
Coun. Doug Bing said that this is a provincial or federal matter, not to be dealt with at a municipal level.
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