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The City of Vancouver will likely “get the wheels in motion” this year in terms of paying its entire staff a “living wage”, according to Geoff Meggs.

But the Vision Vancouver councillor told the Georgia Straight it could be a “few years” before every direct and external-contract city employee is paid a wage that covers basic living expenses—recently calculated to be $20.68 per hour with no benefits in Metro Vancouver—or more.

“Our direct employees—the overwhelming majority—are already unionized and so, for the most part, I believe, are well above the living wage already,” Meggs said by phone. “The question becomes more complex when you start looking at contractors, and that’s why it’s going to take some time to implement.”

On Tuesday (June 2), the Living Wage for Families Campaign, founded in 2008, will hold an event to update the public on its efforts to get the city to announce a commitment and timeline for bringing in a living-wage policy. Panel and roundtable discussions will take place at the Central Library (350 West Georgia Street) starting at 6:30 p.m.

Campaign organizer Deanna Ogle told the Straight that prior to the 2014 election, Mayor Gregor Robertson, Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe, and Green councillor Adriane Carr pledged their support for a living-wage policy. The living wage is based on a family of two parents, both working full-time, and two kids.

“I would love to see them implement it this term,” Ogle said by phone. “I think there’s a real opportunity, and I think it’s also a great way for the city to show leadership around the question of affordability.”

The City of New Westminster, SAP, and Vancity are among the region’s 37 “certified” living-wage employers. According to Meggs, when Vancouver joins their ranks, it will send a “strong signal” to local businesses.

“We have a city where poverty is a problem, where income inequality is a problem, and I don’t think anybody should be contributing to that problem if they can do otherwise,” Meggs said. “It’s everybody’s job to fight poverty.”