Living wage recognition for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Nieuport Aviation, the owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, has been officially certified a Living Wage employer by the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN).

OLWN notes that it is the first aviation entity in the Canadian province of Ontario to become certified.

Nieuport Aviation has committed to paying its staff a minimum of C$23.15 an hour, the amount OLWN states is the living wage required in Toronto.

Serving one of the most culturally diverse cities in North America, Nieuport states that it “works hard to build a supportive and inclusive community for its employees, and paying a living wage is one way they do that”.

Neil Pakey, president and CEO of Nieuport Aviation, shared why becoming a certified living wage employer was important.

He says: “This recognises the intrinsic value of every one of our employees, ensuring that they can meet their basic needs, support their families, and live with dignity.

“By providing a fair and livable wage, we are demonstrating our commitment to social responsibility, equality, and fairness in the workplace.

“Attracting and retaining talent has been a challenge for many players in the industry as interest in air travel rebounds following the pandemic.”

Pakey continues. “Across the global aviation value chain, companies are looking closely at solutions to meet this returning demand. For Nieuport, over and above our strong commitment to our employees, being certified as a Living Wage employer makes good sense from this perspective.”

A living wage is calculated by the OLWN to show how much a worker must earn per hour to make ends meet and enjoy modest participation in their community.

The calculations gather living expenses for three types of households: two adults supporting two small children, a single parent, and a single adult. The results are then aggregated and include any applicable government taxes, transfers, and benefits.

“In the past, we’ve seen new living wage certifications bring about more interest in the surrounding business community,” says OLWN programme manager, Anne Coleman.

“We’re hopeful this commitment by Nieuport will start a chain reaction among employers on Toronto’s waterfront. We are grateful for Nieuport’s leadership.”