How poor is poor enough? Measuring the effectiveness of living wage policy implementation

The following capstone addresses the policy problem of income inequality and poverty. This is achieved by measuring the implementation effectiveness of one identified policy tool used at the local level to combat this societal problem: living wage policy. The methodological design of this study includes: a literature review of living wage research in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom; a case study analysis of Vancity and the City of New Westminster; and policy options based on data analysis and literature review findings. Three policy options, or strategies, were proposed, outlining the level of implementation effectiveness available to organizations considering implementing living wage policy. This study recommends a tiered-implementation approach, consisting of an initial moderate implementation framework followed by a comprehensive implementation strategy. The study findings are of value to local organizations seeking an implementation assessment template for instituting living wage policy.