Interview with the Warden - May 29th, 2025

Thursday, 29 May 2025 10:40

Oxford County Council has agreed to pay all County employees at least the living wage, which is $19.50 per hour.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford County Council has voted in favour of becoming a certified living wage employer.

The living wage in Oxford County is $19.50 per hour and it's determined by the Ontario Living Wage Network.

Warden Marcus Ryan says it's the amount that a person in Oxford County needs to make, if they want to be able to keep a roof over their head and have a bit extra to participate in community.

"They can buy their own groceries, they can pay their own rent, they can get to work, they can pay a fee to join a community group, and they can go out to the movies. It's basic living expenses for a human."

With that being said, Warden Ryan says the living wage still doesn't amount to much. When you do the math, it's about $39,000 for the year. London, Elgin and Oxford also have the lowest living wage in the province, while the GTA has the highest living wage at $26. You can find the list of living wage rates for each region online here.

Only four county employees are currently making less that the living wage, so they will be getting a raise in 2026. This will cost the County about $14,000. On top of this, the County is also making the committment to pay all future employees at least the living wage moving forward.

Warden Ryan says there was some debate in council chambers yesterday.

"The point that I tried to make was that as the municipal government who is responsible for police, fire, ambulance and housing, if we don't pay someone what it costs them to live, then one way or another I am going to tax someone to help them out with that. We know that people who don't earn as much are a disproportionate demand on police, fire and ambulance. At the County, we also spend well over $10 million per year on rent subsidies, affordable housing, and other things. So if someone is not earning enough to pay their own rent? Then I am going to tax somebody to help them live under a roof."

During his interview with Dan and Marcie this morning, Warden Ryan also discussed the following:

- Delegations from Kicklei Canada and Kicklei Oxford during the County Council meeting on May 14th

- The Pride flag raising at the Oxford County Administration Building at 11:30a.m. tomorrow.

- The recent Pride flag vandalism at Emily Stowe Public School in Norwich.

- The Baseball, Buddies, and Burgers event at the Beachville District Museum on Saturday.

You can listen to our full interview with the Warden below: