If you are already struggling with affordability, this may not come as welcome news.
According to a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), the living wage has gone up again in Nova Scotia.
It’s calculated on how much a family with two parents need to make to meet basic needs, working full-time with two young children.
In Halifax it is now $28.30 – a 7 per cent jump from last year when it was $26.50.
This is the biggest hike from 2023 compared to southern Nova Scotia which is now at $25.20 and Cape Breton at $24.00.
The report says the increase would have even been a lot more if it hadn’t been for things like the carbon tax rebate and child tax benefit.
Less of a hike
Even though it’s still a staggering number, the report says it’s less of a jump from 2023’s increases which ranged from 11 to 19 per cent.
The biggest expenses faced are shelter, followed closely by the cost of food then childcare.
Halifax worrisome
The report says the jump is especially concerning for Halifax because the cost of having a roof over your head has increased by 16 per cent to 33 per cent.
“According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), affordable housing (rent plus utilities) should cost less than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income.”
CCPA says these problems are everywhere, but most apparent in Halifax and for low-income households.
