Creating Healthy Public Policy: Living Wage Policies

As part of our PlanH program, BC Healthy Communities is excited to present our new Local Government Leaders Speaker Series, Creating Healthy Public Policy.

In this series, healthy public policy leaders from local and Indigenous governments across the province discuss one policy implemented by their government, reflecting on why the policy was chosen, the implementation process, and the impacts they've seen as a result of adopting the policy.

Designed for elected officials and staff in decision-making roles, each event in the series provides participants with the opportunity to explore whether a similar policy fits their community's needs, and to consider the next steps needed to advance action towards adopting such a policy.

Part I of the series, Living Wage Policies, takes place on June 23, 2021 at 11am. This session will explore the City of Victoria’s experience in adopting a Living Wage policy in 2020. Living Wage policies have been enacted by 10 governments across the province, ranging from major metropolitan cities to smaller rural and Indigenous governments. These policies align minimum wages in an organization with the actual costs of living in a specific community.

Speakers:

• Jodi Jensen, Head of Human Resources, City of Victoria

Jodi Jensen joined the City of Victoria as Head of Human Resources in June 2017 and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in human resources and operational roles. Prior to joining the City, she worked in a variety of roles with the Provincial Health Services Authority, most recently as Chief Operating Officer for BC Emergency Health Services. Jodi holds a B.Sc. from the University of Victoria and an M.A. from Simon Fraser University.

• Anastasia French, Campaigns and Operations Organiser, Living Wage for Families Campaign

Anastasia is a passionate campaigner with over 10 years experience campaigning on social justice issues in Canada and the UK. She’s been working for the Living Wage for Families Campaign since June 2020 and has managed to grow the number of Living Wage Employers by a third in less than a year. She previously worked as National Campaigns Manager for The Children's Society, one of Britain's leading children's charities. At The Children's Society, she ran several successful campaigns on issues around debt, child poverty and support for refugee and migrant children. Her role is split between the Living Wage for Families campaign and supporting First Call BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.

Following the presentation, attendees are invited to stay for an optional virtual networking session to meet with other local government leaders interested in adopting similar policies, using small group breakout rooms to explore specific topics.

Planners: This webinar qualifies for 1 CPL Unit.