Page 42 - 2015WellBeing
P. 42
Our Economy
Making a Difference
Windsor-Essex faces a wide variety of economic challenges that are
demonstrated by a number of indicators within this report. The recovery
from the depths of the 2008-2009 recession has been tepid, at best, and
has failed to produce stability for many people in our community. As a result
our region still faces a number of challenges before we can clearly state that
the region is on the road to full economic recovery.
Economic diversification
According to a recent report by Workforce Windsor-Essex, one in six
members of our region’s labour force or approximately 33,910 people
work in the manufacturing sector.li Given the uncertainty around this sector
which has long been the foundation of our region’s economy there are
several troubling signs on the horizon. With the Ford Engine Plant having
no scheduled production after 2017; a recent Derosier Automotive Report
predicting that all automotive assembly will leave Canada by 2040; and the
overall lack of a strategy on this file at a provincial and federal level; the fact
that we still have such a large proportion of our economy invested in this
sector is very concerning.lii
We need to link people with the training, transit and jobs in those
sectors that hold promise while ensuring that those who are in precarious
employment situations have opportunities to better themselves and move
into other fields of employment. We also need to continue to find ways to
bring community stakeholders together to develop a cohesive, collective
strategy for revitalizing the local economy.
A fair and livable wage
Ensuring those who work for a living are able to earn a wage that allows
them to adequately provide for themselves and their family is key to the
future economic health of our community. Although the Ontario minimum
wage is scheduled to rise to $11.25 an hour ($23,400 per year before tax) in
October of 2015, this rate is well below a sustainable living wage.liii
Pathway to Potential has been advocating for a fair and livable wage for
workers in Windsor-Essex, having calculated our local living wage at $14.15
per hour (or $13.10 per hour with benefits). They have been recruiting local
businesses to offer their employees a living wage.liv Research has shown that
well-paid workers experience lower absenteeism, and less life stress, leading
to improved health and decreased rates of employee turnover. Companies
should be encouraged to pay more than the current minimum to their
employees as well paid employees, to foster a more productive workforce.
The 2015 Community Well-Being Report
Making a Difference
Windsor-Essex faces a wide variety of economic challenges that are
demonstrated by a number of indicators within this report. The recovery
from the depths of the 2008-2009 recession has been tepid, at best, and
has failed to produce stability for many people in our community. As a result
our region still faces a number of challenges before we can clearly state that
the region is on the road to full economic recovery.
Economic diversification
According to a recent report by Workforce Windsor-Essex, one in six
members of our region’s labour force or approximately 33,910 people
work in the manufacturing sector.li Given the uncertainty around this sector
which has long been the foundation of our region’s economy there are
several troubling signs on the horizon. With the Ford Engine Plant having
no scheduled production after 2017; a recent Derosier Automotive Report
predicting that all automotive assembly will leave Canada by 2040; and the
overall lack of a strategy on this file at a provincial and federal level; the fact
that we still have such a large proportion of our economy invested in this
sector is very concerning.lii
We need to link people with the training, transit and jobs in those
sectors that hold promise while ensuring that those who are in precarious
employment situations have opportunities to better themselves and move
into other fields of employment. We also need to continue to find ways to
bring community stakeholders together to develop a cohesive, collective
strategy for revitalizing the local economy.
A fair and livable wage
Ensuring those who work for a living are able to earn a wage that allows
them to adequately provide for themselves and their family is key to the
future economic health of our community. Although the Ontario minimum
wage is scheduled to rise to $11.25 an hour ($23,400 per year before tax) in
October of 2015, this rate is well below a sustainable living wage.liii
Pathway to Potential has been advocating for a fair and livable wage for
workers in Windsor-Essex, having calculated our local living wage at $14.15
per hour (or $13.10 per hour with benefits). They have been recruiting local
businesses to offer their employees a living wage.liv Research has shown that
well-paid workers experience lower absenteeism, and less life stress, leading
to improved health and decreased rates of employee turnover. Companies
should be encouraged to pay more than the current minimum to their
employees as well paid employees, to foster a more productive workforce.
The 2015 Community Well-Being Report
