Moncton – The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity welcomes the 11 per cent increase in funding for the province's 13 transition houses announced today by Families and Children Minister Stephen Horsman. The budget will increase to $3.3 million from $2.9 million.
The allocation of this funding is left to the discretion of each transition house, but the Coalition hopes that part of the additional funding will be invested in increasing workers wages. Interveners, who make on average 13.40 $ an hour are among the lowest paid in the transition house sector in Canada.
“We are pleased that the provincial government is investing in this sector, ending a decade of stagnant funding. This predominantly female sector would benefit from continued investments, including to ensure better wages for workers,” says Frances LeBlanc, chair of the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity.
Research by economist Ruth Rose found that in 2012, equitable wages for crisis interveners in transition houses would have been $19.58 an hour. Today, with inflation, they should be even higher.
“Workers’ wages should reflect the value of the vital service rendered by these workers to communities and to victims of violence and abuse,” adds Frances LeBlanc.