STANDARD OF LIVING

Individuals, families, and children living below the poverty line may face many obstacles, which can limit their ability to enjoy quality of life.

Fuelling Flexible Funding

Standard of Living

Fuelling Flexible Funding

As the Action Committee of People with Disabilities (ACPD) approaches its 50th anniversary next year, the agency reflects on its mission “to empower, advocate for social inclusion, and promote economic equity for all people with disabilities.” 

“The core funding we received from Victoria Foundation sustains our advocacy program and allows us to expand services and increase our community voice,” says ACPD Coordinator Christine Paisley. “The flexible funding keeps rent and hydro paid and enables us to include people with disabilities on our board and staff, ensuring inclusivity and representation.”

In 2023, ACPD assisted 2,531 individuals with various supports, including navigating provincial disability systems, securing housing and rent subsidies, resolving tenancy disputes, and accessing grants for emergency food and supplements for people in need. ACPD also consults with municipalities on accessibility measures, shifting from crisis response to proactive support.

This year, ACPD focused on enhancing community voice and expanding services. “We see more individuals in crisis, lacking housing and support services, and living in dangerous situations. We aim to continue expanding our reach and fulfilling our mission.”

SPONSORED BY 

Odlum Brown, Brad Dovey, Director, Portfolio Manager

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+

Last year's grade was B-

Belonging and Engagement

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+
Sustainable Development Targets

Sustainable Development Targets

MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME

Median census family income after-tax in 2022

$66620VICTORIA CMA
UP FROM $64,980 IN 2021

$61720BRITISH COLUMBIA

$60800CANADA

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA

MEDIAN INDIVIDUAL INCOME

Median individual total income in 2022

$49750 VICTORIA CMA
UP FROM $48,050 IN 2021

$43170BRITISH COLUMBIA

$43090 CANADA

Victoria CMA in 2022 

$44420 WOMEN

$56600 MEN

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA 

BC MINIMUM WAGE

General minimum hourly wage in BC

20202021202220232024
$14.60$15.20$15.65$16.75$17.40

A FULL-TIME MINIMUM WAGE WORKER EARNS

$17.40/hour = $31668/year pre-tax

$3,154 above national 2022 poverty line for a single person

$8,657 below national 2021 poverty line for a two-person household if that worker is a single parent living with one child

Note: Full-time, full-year work is 35 hours of paid work for 52 weeks. The poverty line is based on Statistics Canada’s 2022 Low Income Measure (LIM) threshold for market income in 2022 constant dollars for a one-person household ($28,514) and a two-person household ($40,325) in Canada. 

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA  

APP-BASED GIG WORKERS

In 2024, BC established an inflation-adjusted minimum wage and protections for people working in app-based gigs, such as ridehailing and delivery services. These workers must receive $20.88 an hour from the time they accept an assignment to the time it is completed (“engaged time”). The pay standards are not applied to time spent waiting between gigs, which accounts for the 20% higher minimum wage.

SOURCE: PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

1.2: Reduce national poverty by 50% 

5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere 

8.5: Achieve full, productive employment, decent work for all and equal pay for work of equal value 

POVERTY RATES

Poverty rates in 2022 as measured by Statistics Canada’s Census Family Low Income Measure after tax 

Overall

Victoria CMA up from 12% in 2021
13%
British Columbia
18%
Canada
17%

Lone parent families

Victoria CMA up from 25% in 2021
27%
British Columbia
34%
Canada
35%

Children under 18 years

Victoria CMA (7,670) up from 11% in 2021
13%
British Columbia
17%
Canada
18%

Seniors 65 years and older

Victoria CMA up from 10% in 2021
11%
British Columbia
19%
Canada
16%

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA 

LIVING WAGE

The hourly wage required to maintain an adequate quality of life in the capital region in 2023.

$25.40up from $24.29 in 2022

$8 higher than the current minimum wage ($17.40).

Food, shelter, and childcare make up the largest portion of household expenses. The largest dollar increase was in shelter costs and food costs were up considerably. Childcare costs were down due to expanded government investment. 

The living wage is the hourly wage required for two working parents with two young children to meet their basic expenses, after accounting for government taxes, credits, deductions, and subsidies, based on a 35-hour work week. 

SOURCE: COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF GREATER VICTORIA 

COMMUNITY IN FOCUS

FOOD BANK USAGE

In March 2023, Canada’s 2,388 food banks reported 2 million visits and distributed 4 million meals. Food bank usage was up 32% from March 2022 and up 79% from March 2019.

Of food bank users in 2023, one third (642,000) were children, 44% were single adults, 42% were on social assistance or disability support, 27% were newcomers to Canada, and 12% were Indigenous people. Top reasons people accessed a food bank were food costs, housing costs, and low wages, or not enough hours of work.

In BC, 127 food banks, including four in Greater Victoria, reported 196,000 visits (32% by children) and provided 225,000 meals in 2023, with food bank usage up 20% from 2022 and up 57% from 2019.

SOURCE: FOOD BANKS CANADA