Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Working Full-Time Shouldn’t Mean Living in Poverty: Grey Bruce’s 2026 Living Wage Rises to $24.75

How much does someone need to earn to live, work and participate in their community? In Grey Bruce, the answer for 2026 is $24.75 an hour.

Today, the Ontario Living Wage Network released its updated living wage rates across Ontario. For the Grey Bruce Perth Huron Simcoe region, the living wage has increased from $24.60 in 2025 to $24.75 per hour in 2026.

The increase of 15 cents per hour, or 0.61%, may appear modest. But the bigger story is what the living wage tells us about the cost of everyday life and the growing challenge of making ends meet, even when working full-time.

For the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force, the living wage is more than an economic calculation. It is a measure of whether people can afford to live in the communities where they work.

What does $24.75 an hour really mean?

A living wage is the hourly rate workers need to earn to cover basic expenses in their community. It is calculated using the real costs of housing, food, transportation, childcare and other necessities, while accounting for applicable government taxes, benefits and transfers.

It does not represent a luxurious lifestyle. It reflects the income needed to maintain a modest standard of living and participate in community life.

The 2026 Grey Bruce living wage breakdown illustrates the pressures on household budgets:

  • 36% – Shelter, including insurance and utilities
  • 29% – Other household expenses and necessities
  • 15% – Food
  • 13% – Childcare
  • 12% – Transportation

These figures reflect the expenses included in the regional living wage calculation, which considers different household types and circumstances.

Behind these numbers are real people making difficult choices: whether to pay rent or buy groceries, repair a vehicle or pay a utility bill, take a second job or spend time with their children.

Poverty is not simply about employment

One of the most persistent misconceptions about poverty is that having a job is enough to escape it.

Across Grey and Bruce Counties, many people work in essential sectors such as retail, hospitality, food services, caregiving and community services. Their work contributes to our local economy and the well-being of our communities.

Yet employment does not automatically guarantee financial security.

A worker earning less than a living wage may still struggle to afford housing, nutritious food, reliable transportation and other necessities.

In rural communities, these pressures can be particularly challenging. Limited public transportation, long distances between home and work, and the costs of owning and maintaining a vehicle create additional financial burdens.

Housing affordability is another significant concern. When rental costs consume a large share of household income, families have less available for food, childcare, health and emergencies.

We cannot address poverty through employment alone if wages do not reflect the actual cost of living.

Living wages strengthen communities

Paying a living wage benefits more than individual workers.

When people earn enough to meet their basic needs, they have greater financial stability, experience less economic stress and have more opportunities to participate in community life.

Living wages can also benefit employers through improved employee retention, stronger workplace morale and reduced recruitment and training costs.

We recognize that many local employers, particularly small businesses and nonprofit organizations, are themselves navigating rising operating costs and economic uncertainty.

This is why the living wage conversation must be part of a broader discussion about economic resilience, sustainable businesses, public investment and decent work.

When workers have enough income to support themselves and their families, they are also better able to support local businesses and services.

A living wage is part of poverty reduction — not the whole solution

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force recognizes that wages are only one part of the larger poverty reduction picture.

We must also address the systems and policies that make basic necessities increasingly unaffordable.

Affordable and adequate housing, accessible childcare, reliable rural transportation, food security, income supports and access to health services all influence whether individuals and families can achieve financial stability.

We also need to recognize those who cannot work full-time, including people living with disabilities, caregivers, seniors and others whose income depends on public benefits and income security programs.

A living wage is an important benchmark for decent work. But a community free from poverty requires adequate income security for everyone, regardless of employment status.

Living Wage Week: November 9–13, 2026

During Living Wage Week, we recognize employers across Ontario who have made a commitment to paying their employees a living wage. Living Wage Employers Map – Ontario Living Wage Network

We encourage businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities and community institutions throughout Grey and Bruce Counties to learn more about living wage certification and consider what this commitment could mean for their workplaces.

We also encourage all levels of government to recognize that adequate wages must be supported by policies that address the underlying costs of living.

Our message is simple: people who contribute to our communities should be able to afford to live in them.

A living wage is not a luxury. It is about dignity, economic security and the opportunity to build a life without the constant pressure of financial hardship.

As we mark Living Wage Week 2026, let us continue working together toward communities where decent work, affordable living and freedom from poverty are possible for everyone.

Learn more

Ontario Living Wage Network: https://www.ontariolivingwage.ca/

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Municipal Candidates Dig into Poverty, Housing and Local Government in Grey Bruce

What role can municipalities play in addressing poverty, homelessness, housing, health and community safety? And how can local decision-makers ask better questions about issues that rarely have simple answers?

On September 18, 2026, the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force and United Way of Bruce Grey brought municipal candidates from across Grey and Bruce together for an online Poverty 101: Municipal Candidates Education Session.

The non-partisan session brought together 65 participants, including three presenters and three hosts, to explore poverty, housing, health, transportation, community safety and the role municipal governments can play in responding to complex community issues.

Understanding who can do what

One of the goals of the session was to move beyond simply identifying problems.

Candidates were encouraged to consider what services already exist, where gaps remain, which orders of government have responsibility, and where municipalities can act directly, work in partnership, or advocate for change. Our goal wasn’t to give candidates all the answers. We wanted to give them local information, connect them with people who work in these systems, and help them ask better questions.

That distinction matters. Poverty is not one issue and there is rarely one program, organization or level of government that can address it alone.

Three perspectives on complex community issues

Candidates heard from three presenters bringing different perspectives and experience:

  • Jason Weppler, Program Manager with Grey Bruce Public Health and co-chair of the Grey Bruce Healthy Communities Partnership, discussed the social determinants of health.
  • Kim Wingrove, former CAO of Grey County, explored how different levels of government work together and where responsibilities lie.
  • Rob Martin, retired Chief of West Grey Police Services, discussed the connections between poverty, homelessness, mental health, substance use, policing and community safety.

The presentations were followed by a wide-ranging question-and-answer discussion.

Candidates brought practical questions to the table

The conversation quickly moved from understanding poverty to asking what municipalities can practically do.

Candidates raised questions about zoning and additional residential units, Housing First, rural transportation, food security, utility affordability, policing and prevention, alternative housing models, wages and housing costs, and how municipalities can determine whether programs are actually achieving their intended outcomes.

One particularly important discussion began with a seemingly straightforward question: How many people successfully move through social programs?

That led to another question: What do we mean by success?

For one person, success might mean returning for the next outreach appointment. For another, it could mean staying connected with services, achieving greater independence, moving into stable housing or reducing involvement with crisis systems.

Curiosity before conclusions

That conversation captured an important principle behind the Poverty Task Force’s approach to complex community issues:

“Complex issues require us to ask difficult questions. But they also require us to be clear about what we know, what we assume, and what we still need to learn — and to be willing to change our understanding when the evidence and the voices of people with lived experience tell us something different.”
— Jill Umbach, Coordinator, Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

This thinking is also reflected in our election resource, Curiosity Before Conclusions: Asking Better Questions About Complex Community Issues.

When discussing poverty and other complex issues, we encourage decision-makers and community members to ask:

What is happening? What already exists? Where is the unmet need? Who has authority? What evidence is available? And what outcome are we trying to achieve?

Now we’re sharing the conversation with the community

The September 18 session was designed for municipal candidates, but the information and discussion are relevant to everyone interested in the future of our communities.

United Way of Bruce Grey and the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force are therefore making the session publicly available so that residents, community organizations and others can access the same information provided to candidates. Presentation materials, the session report and additional resources have also been shared with municipal candidates across Grey and Bruce.

Watch the full Municipal Candidates Education Session video recording here:

As Grey Bruce heads toward the 2026 municipal elections, we hope these resources support informed conversations about poverty and strengthen our collective understanding of what municipalities can do, where partnerships are needed, and what questions we should continue asking.

Our Voice is Power. Together, we can build stronger, more equitable communities.

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Transforming Health Systems: Insights from a Trudeau Foundation Workshop

In 2025, we joined the 2023 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholars, Mentors, and invited guests in Toronto for a dynamic and interdisciplinary workshop focused on health systems transformation. The day brought together diverse perspectives — from public health professionals and community organizers to researchers and policymakers — all committed to reshaping how health systems function and serve people across Canada and beyond.

While our work spans a wide range of health and systems issues, several key themes emerged throughout the day. These common threads point to both shared challenges and collective possibilities for the future of health systems.

Common Challenges, Shared Insights

One of the most prominent takeaways was the recognition that many of us, regardless of our specific focus areas, encounter similar roadblocks. These include:

  • The “Pilot Project” Trap: Too often, promising initiatives remain stuck in small-scale, temporary phases, without the support or momentum to scale into long-term system change.
  • Centralized Responses: While centralized systems can be efficient in some contexts, they often lack the flexibility to respond effectively to local needs and lived realities.
  • Funding Constraints: Inconsistent or limited funding remains a significant barrier, especially when working toward innovative or community-driven approaches.

These patterns suggest a deeper need to rethink how systems are structured and who they are designed to serve.

The Power of Community-Led Transformation

A resounding message throughout the workshop was the importance of enabling communities to take the lead in transforming health systems. Scholars, practitioners, and institutional leaders must be prepared to follow the lead of those with lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community-rooted expertise.

This means embracing:

  • Radical ways of knowing and doing, including Indigenous and non-Western knowledge systems;
  • Shifts in discourse, where language, values, and narratives better reflect community realities;
  • New approaches to change, starting from the grassroots rather than being imposed top-down.

Transformation does not come from replication alone—it comes from reimagination.

Storytelling as a Tool and a Responsibility

The day also highlighted the power of storytelling in advancing change. Personal stories can bring systems issues to life, challenge dominant narratives, and mobilize communities. However, there is also an ethical imperative to protect both the storytellers and the knowledge they share.

Participants emphasized the importance of:

  • Seeking consent and honoring the intent behind shared experiences;
  • Avoiding the extraction or commodification of stories;
  • Ensuring that stories are not only heard but acted upon in meaningful ways.

Looking Ahead

The Poverty Task Force continues this journey, we remain committed to fostering collaboration, challenging norms, and co-creating more equitable and responsive health systems.

We are excited about our upcoming RentSafe Owen Sound Collaboration gathering which will center the grounded expertise of our Community Voices and the work in collaboration with the Community Impact Lab and RentSafe Ontario on Climate Resilience in Low-Income Rental Housing.

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

RentSafe Update: From Local Research to Stronger Rental Housing Standards in Owen Sound

On July 27th, Owen Sound City Council approved a new Vital Services By-law and updates to the Property Standards By-law addressing mould and pests.

For those involved with RentSafe Owen Sound, this is an important milestone in work underway for several years to better understand rental housing conditions and find collaborative solutions that support healthy, safe and affordable housing.

The Vital Services By-law establishes clearer responsibilities for landlords to ensure tenants have essential services, including heat, hot and cold water, electricity, gas and, where required under a lease, air conditioning. It also gives the City tools to investigate complaints and to take action when the loss of a vital service creates a health or safety concern.

From Research to Action

In November 2024, the RentSafe Owen Sound Collaborative presented its Landlord & Tenant Survey Findings and recommendations to the City of Owen Sound’s Corporate Services Committee.

The surveys provided an important opportunity to hear from both sides of the rental housing relationship. 545 tenants responded to the tenant survey, representing an estimated 28% of rental units in Owen Sound. The landlord survey included 36 landlords/property managers responsible for nearly 800 units, estimated at approximately 40% of the local rental market.

What we heard demonstrated that housing quality is a shared concern.

RentSafe tenant survey respondents identified significant concerns with temperature, pests, water leaks, mould and indoor air quality.

Among tenant respondents, 73% reported pests/insects other than bedbugs, 71% reported their unit being too hot or too cold, 62% reported water leaks and 47% reported mould. Sixty percent reported anxiety related to the physical condition of their unit.

Landlords also identified challenges maintaining rental properties, including finding contractors, gaining access to units for repairs, maintenance costs and communication with tenants.

Importantly, tenants and landlords identified many of the same housing quality concerns, including temperature control, windows, plumbing and water leaks, pests and bedbugs, and mould. Read the full report here.

We Are All Neighbours

One of the strongest messages from the research was that tenants can feel trapped while landlords can feel stuck.

For tenants, rising rents and limited housing options can make it difficult to leave unhealthy housing. For landlords, maintaining Owen Sound’s older rental housing stock can involve significant costs and challenges.

This is why RentSafe’s work focuses on bringing people together rather than placing responsibility for our housing challenges on one group.

RentSafe seeks solutions that recognize the experiences of tenants and landlords while protecting Owen Sound’s existing affordable rental housing.

What Did RentSafe Recommend?

In 2024, RentSafe presented 3 immediate recommendations to the City.

1. Better rental housing data. We recommended collecting information on habitability issues identified through by-law and fire inspections—including mould, pests, water leaks and broken windows—to better understand conditions in Owen Sound’s older rental housing stock.

2. Clearer standards for mould. We recommended incorporating Ontario’s model mould by-law language into Owen Sound’s Property Standards By-law. The City’s new updates addressing mould and pests represent important progress on an issue identified through the RentSafe research.

3. Support landlords and tenants. We invited the City to be part of solutions that help landlords maintain healthy rental properties while improving effective landlord-tenant relationships. During a housing crisis, we need new affordable housing—but we also need to protect and improve the affordable rental housing we already have.

The Next Question: Extreme Heat

During Council’s July 27th discussion, the question of a “right to cooling” and maximum indoor temperatures was raised. This connects directly with the RentSafe findings: 71% of tenant respondents reported their unit being too hot or too cold.

Under Owen Sound’s new Vital Services By-law, landlords must provide a minimum temperature of 20°C from September 15th to May 31st. Under Section 11-C of the prepared by-law a maximum indoor temperature of 26C is in place, if the lease indicates an air-conditioner and landlords are required to ensure suitable cool air in a unit. Bylaw can charge the landlord if they don’t repair an existing air conditioner and/or if they remove it. 

There is a new provision in the Residential Tenancy Act effective July 1st, 2026, regarding air conditioning, maintenance and repairs as well as utility charges.  Tenants are permitted to install a window or portable air conditioner, even where a lease prohibits it, as long as it meets the prescribed conditions and notifies the landlord in writing.  Seasonal rent increases may be applied by landlords to cover electrical costs.

There are currently no by-laws in Ontario, that require all units to have permanent cooling systems. This would require a retrofit or renovations of buildings which would impact the availability and affordability of rental units in the City. The cities of Toronto and Hamilton are currently researching a Maximum Heat By-Law and the City of Owen Sound will monitor these initiatives.  

This opens an important next conversation for RentSafe.

Healthy Housing Is Also a Climate Issue

Extreme heat increasingly intersects with the issues RentSafe has been working on for years: housing quality, affordability, health and equity.

Older rental buildings can be particularly challenging. Aging windows, inadequate ventilation and limited cooling can increase exposure to extreme temperatures. At the same time, major retrofits can be expensive.

The challenge is finding solutions that improve tenant health and climate resilience without contributing to displacement or the loss of affordable rental housing.

The 2024 RentSafe Owen Sound work identified three interconnected challenges: unit quality concerns, lack of trust and communication, and lack of satisfaction with the rental housing system. It also pointed toward longer-term opportunities, including proactive inspections, stronger community involvement and measures to preserve affordable rental housing.

The adoption of stronger mould, pest and Vital Services standards demonstrates how local research, community collaboration and municipal leadership can translate into action.

As we build on this work, our next question is:

What does healthy, safe, affordable and climate-resilient rental housing look like for Owen Sound?

The Poverty Task Force and our RentSafe partners will continue working with tenants, landlords, the City and community partners to explore this question. Together with RentSafe Ontario we will come together next on September 29th to discuss climate resiliency and rental housing.