Greenbelt Academy & Early Learning Centre is Niagara’s Latest Certified Living Wage Employer
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that Greenbelt Academy & Early
Learning Centre has become a certified living wage employer at the Champion level.
Grimsby-based Greenbelt Academy & Early Learning Centre offers nature-immersion preschool and
kindergarten programs, and a one day a week K-6 program. They currently employ one part time and
nine full time employees.
“We wanted to become a Living Wage Employer because we wanted to make a commitment to
enhancing the lives of our employees and the community. By paying a living wage we believe that we are
making an investment in the long-term prosperity of the economy by fostering a dedicated, skilled and
healthy workforce,” says Joelle Kanakis, Co-Director and Co-Owner, Greenbelt Academy.
“We’re pleased to see local employers recognizing the value and benefits of paying at least a living
wage. Paying a living wage is direct action to address poverty and helps people afford the cost of living,”
says Jennifer Gauthier, Vice Chair, Niagara Poverty Reduction Network.
A living wage reflects what earners need to be paid based on the actual costs of living and being
included in the community. A living wage is not the same as the legislated minimum wage. It is a
voluntary commitment that employers can make to compensate directly-employed and contractemployed full-time and part-time workers. The 2021 living wage for Niagara region has been calculated
to be $18.90/hour.
Learn more about Niagara’s living wage at www.wipeoutpoverty.ca. Niagara-area employers interested
in becoming living wage certified can contact the Ontario Living Wage Network for more information at
www.ontariolivingwage.ca
