Momentum commits to living wages in more than one way
Calgary-based community organization is working to advance policies that enable sustainable livelihoods
When the Living Wage Network started calculating new living wages for 2021, Momentum was one of the first organizations to announce that it would be adopting the new rate.
Momentum is a change-making organization that combines social and economic strategies to reduce poverty. They offer programs and services for people that are living on low incomes to increase their ability to manage and save money, develop new skills or start a business. Along with this, Momentum is deeply committed to building and sustaining the local economy and is the steward of Calgary’s Be Local Network.
“Our vision clearly outlines that we are working towards a future where every person has a sustainable livelihood and has the ability to contribute to their community. Ensuring living wages for our program participants, staff, and contractors is a key component of this,” explained Jeff Loomis, Executive Director.
Momentum provides education and support for local businesses, including its small business program participants, to advance living wage uptake and has outlined living wages as part of its sustainable purchasing criteria. “It’s really important to us that all purchasing decisions consider environmental, social and economic factors. Whether we’re contracting external caterers or summer students, we know the importance of paying people wages that will cover the cost of living,” explained Jeff.
Momentum is doing more than just ‘walking the talk’ on living wages, they are pushing for policy changes as well. They advocate for income boosting policy changes in various forms including skills training for people with barriers to employment, raising income support rates, increasing education savings to boost post-secondary attainment rates, and living wage policies for government staff and contractors.
“The City of Edmonton passed a living wage policy in 2018, ensuring all staff and contractors earn a living wage. We would like to achieve that for Calgary, along with ensuring that living wage leaders are awarded points in the bidding process on government contracts,” explained Courtney Mo, Policy Manager.
Learn more about Momentum and how its Be Local business network are impacting the community.
Did you know?
81% of employees in the Be Local business network in Calgary were paid more than a living wage?