Regina Leader-Post

MINIMUM WAGE

How much does it pay for?

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RENT $243.75

Looking at what is available for rent right now, the most affordable two-bedroom apartment in Regina is going for $975 a month. That means more than half of a minimum wage worker’s earnings would go to rent. Most twobedroom­s being advertised as vacant in Regina right now cost more than $1,000.

UTILITIES $7.70

Most apartments cover the cost of some utilities in the rental fee; but it’s common for tenants to take care of their own electrical bill. A basic monthly bill is a little over $30 each month. This can easily go higher if you’re not careful about leaving on lights or other items.

TRANSPORTA­TION $21

An adult bus pass in Regina works out to about $21 each week, or $84 each month. If a family needed more than one pass, this would obviously go up; but assuming money is tight, the pass could be shared. FOOD $61.28 Looking at items that are cheap or on sale in Regina right now, the basics for a family would run around $60 each week. This includes bread, milk, eggs, protein, juice, snacks, fruits and some vegetables. The most costly item is four chicken breasts, which costs around $12.

COMMUNICAT­ION $8.75

The cheapest cellphone plan to be had in Regina right now runs for $35 a month. That plan includes no data and assumes whoever is signing up already has a cellphone that can be used.

TOTAL $342.48

WHAT THIS MEANS These are the most basic of expenses and do not include any sort of extras, such as clothing, entertainm­ent, child care or tuition. Such thriftines­s would leave about $85 in the pocket of the low-income earner.

Someone making this amount of money in a year would pay no provincial income tax, as they would be well below the threshold.

There are some benefits afforded by the province to lowincome earners: A family earning less than $28,335 in a year can receive $600 annually through a provincial tax credit. If the family — or someone in it — were able to get on some form of social assistance, a number of other benefits and tax credits would be made available.

About 23,200 people earn minimum wage in the province. According to the government, about 56 per cent of those are under the age of 25. Those working in the accommodat­ions, food services or retail industries are most likely to earn minimum wage.

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 ??  ?? Fresh vegetables and fruits, especially imported ones in the winter, would be a pricey treat for families trying to get by on minimum wage.
Fresh vegetables and fruits, especially imported ones in the winter, would be a pricey treat for families trying to get by on minimum wage.
 ?? FILES MICHAEL BELL/ ?? Even using a transit pass, costs can quickly add up.
FILES MICHAEL BELL/ Even using a transit pass, costs can quickly add up.

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