Dover Mercantile in Port Dover becomes the first living wage certified employer in town, paying its employees a local living wage of $19.80 per hour, exceeding the provincial minimum wage by $4.30.
The owner, Lee Ann Cotton, emphasizes the importance of fair treatment and community engagement, stating, “We’re all in this together.”
The living wage, calculated by the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN), considers expenses like housing, childcare, transportation, and food.
Studies show that fairly compensated workers contribute more to the business and are less likely to switch jobs.
The OLWN hopes more Port Dover businesses will follow Dover Mercantile’s lead in joining the program. For more information on living wages, visit ontariolivingwage.ca.