By Helen Ward, Vancouver Sun May 28, 2010 4:07 AM
Vancouver city council, following New Westminster’s lead, will vote on a “living wage” of over $18 an hour for municipal workers. Economists promoting this garner support by claiming living wages help families and reduce child poverty. But do they? Does a policy targeting city workers also efficiently benefit low-income families? The assumption is yes, but what is the reality?
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith warned, “The views of one articulate and affluent banker, businessman, lawyer, or acolyte economist are the equal of several thousand welfare mothers in the corridors of political power.” Are politically unorganized low-income families — like mine — being used to sell policy that may harm them?
Read the entire article in the Vancouver Sun. (broken link)
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