R I C H

I didn't claim most do. Several of my staff do though.

Rent is similar here, and would include all utilities for that price.

Not required in Sun Peaks. Everywhere is walkable.

I just got a new cell phone yesterday for the business at $28p/mth. 200 national minutes, unlimited text and local calling.

As said up thread, my staff earn tips too. I provide paid breaks and food at cost too.

It comes from the remainder of $2,000 minus average rent, TV and Internet here.

Tirytory

Ok, so what are the demographics of your employees/tenants? Are your tenants single living in a flat? Do they have dependents?

When I was younger, I could live on virtually nothing, drive a car, have a healthy social life, work two jobs, live in a flat share.... It becomes a different issue when you have children/spouse/caring for someone to feed, clothe, buy shoes for... When you're not just meeting basic requirements of one person. I appreciate that is your experience of your employees, but I don't get the impression that your employees are stereotypical of the majority of minimum wage workers.

R I C H

Employees are aged between 20 and 27. Some are single, some have partners. Some live in their own condos, some rent their own independent basement suite, others house share. I rent a duplex and a basement suite.

I'd suggest not having children if your education and work experience is unlikely to ever offer anything above minimum wage.

tee1

$2000, Year round? every month? I highly doubt it, Sunpeaks is dead for several months of the year. That's nearly 50 hours a week at min wage

scrubbedexpat091

If someone is making 2,000 a month* they are not on min. wage so its not really comparable to someone actually on min. wage who makes a lot less.

As for cell phone, I've got Virgin and its 35/month which was the cheapest I could find offered in my area.

I did pay 28/month when I had Wind Mobile living in Vancouver, but its not available where I am now.

* Assuming 40 hour week.

R I C H

Read the thread. Sun Peaks is indeed dead between seasons. They earn minimum wage, plus paid breaks and tips. During winter and summer seasons they often work without much time off, to make up for the down time.

R I C H

It was a Virgin contract I took out.

Don't assume they work a 40 hr week. See the explanation above.

tee1

There not, there minimum wage workers by choice same as they are here in Whistler. I bet many will have degrees, trades and much higher earning potential outside a resort. They choose lifestyle over wage. Wages in alot of BC resorts Sunpeaks, Whistler, Banff are kept low by the influx of working holiday workers every year.
I'm not willing to work for minimum wage but there's 300 aussies for everyjob who will in my town, its extremely frustrating as it keeps wages down

R I C H

None of my employees have degrees or trade qualifications. Quite frankly minimum wage is what they deserve given their experience and qualifications. Their work ethic and attitudes are great though, so I value them and provide what I can in fringe benefits. Lifestyle is certainly a major reason they choose to work here, but as I've illustrated, the lifestyle they enjoy is pretty good.

scrubbedexpat091

Pretty much describes Whistler. I have found it impossible to compete with the Aussies and Brits there are working holiday visa's, very frustrating.

tee1

I was trying to make a general point about education there, not specific to your place. Whistler for example has one of the most educated populations of any town in Canada but 85% of jobs are the service industry with the vast majority paying min wage.
The lifestyle/pay your staff are living right now in the off season is probably a more realistic comparison to make. I have been to your cafe in sunpeaks and I most certainly think alot of your staff could earn above min wage if they choose to look

R I C H

The point is though that they can live an enjoyable lifestyle earning a relatively modest wage. Most live off vacation pay they've saved, go travelling for a while or find other temporary work.

Say hi next time you're in town

Shard

Depends how you define "lose" - Norway, for example, seems to do all right.

Good points TT and bats.

Shard

Are you the owner of Sun Peaks?

R I C H

I'm a business owner there. Nippon Cable Company Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan owns the mountain, and operates it under the Sun Peaks Corporation name.