Executive Director Kelly Gilson encourages more employers to join the movement.
United Way Oxford has officially renewed its Ontario Living Wage Certification, reinforcing its commitment to fair and equitable pay across the community. Executive Director Kelly Gilson says Living Wage Week is the perfect time to highlight why the certification matters and why more employers should consider applying.
A living wage, Gilson explains, is not the same as minimum wage. Instead, it is calculated locally using a provincial formula that factors in real community costs.
For Oxford County, those calculations are part of the Elgin-Middlesex-Oxford region, ensuring the wage reflects what it truly costs to live and work here. Gilson says a living wage supports healthier, more equitable communities and it benefits employees and workplaces.
United Way Oxford’s certification process was straightforward, with a small fee and a simple application through the Ontario Living Wage Network. Certification allows organizations to publicly display their commitment.
Currently, only 10 employers in Oxford County are officially certified, even though many already pay above the living wage without formal recognition. Gilson believes awareness is the biggest barrier.
United Way Oxford continues to work with community partners to promote the program, celebrate certified employers, and encourage more companies to consider the benefits—for their staff, their business, and the broader community.
