PREPARED BY: Epidemiology & Evaluation

DATE: 2025-11-20

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has traditionally assisted the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) in computing the estimated living wage required for individuals and families to meet their basic needs in Windsor and Essex County (WEC). The OLSW combines Essex County together with Lambton and Chatham-Kent to create an estimated living wage for the Southwest region.

Until the past few years, the WECHU was involved in calculating the average expenses for all areas contributing to the living wage, such as rent/housing, clothing, food, transportation, education, child care, and insurance. More recently, the WECHU has been asked to provide only the cost of a Nutritious Food Basket, which represents all the food costs for a family or individual. OLWN then uses a consistent process across all regions to compute expenses in other areas, then combine all expenses to arrive at a living wage for each region. Separate estimates are provided for a family of four (2 parents, a 7-year-old, and a 3-year old), a single parent family (with two children), and an individual living alone.

DISCUSSION

The Southwest region, which includes WEC, has gone up to $21.50. It is the highest increase in the province this year at 8.3%. It represents an increase of $1.65/hour over the 2024 rate of $19.85/hour. This estimate is $3.90/hour above the new minimum wage of $17.60/hour and continues to represent challenges for residents and families in our region whose wage falls below what’s considered this living wage. The areas contributing most strongly to living expenses are housing/rent, transportation, food, and childcare.