Local workers are still falling behind, despite recent increases to Ontario's minimum wage.
According to the Ontario Living Wage Network's (OLWN) latest 2026 report, the living wage in the Southwest region, which includes Sarnia-Lambton, has risen to $21.85 an hour, up 35 cents from last year.
Unlike the minimum wage, the living wage calculation factors in real local household costs, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare and childcare.
The report focuses strictly on active employment, and does not account for seniors or retirees living on government pensions such as Old Age Security.
For local workers, that leaves a gap of nearly $4 an hour compared to Ontario's current minimum wage of $17.95.
OLWN notes that even in the province's most affordable regions, a full-time minimum wage salary is no longer enough to cover basic living expenses.
Across Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area saw the highest living wage rate at $27.60 an hour, while Ottawa experienced the sharpest increase, rising three per cent to $24.10.
The full 2026 living wage report and regional comparison rates are available on the OLWN's website.
