Minimum Wage in North America

Living on minimum wage is easier to do in Canada than the United States. Free health care is a major factor in a minimum wage lifestyle. The higher minimum wage helps too; in Canada it’s quite a bit more. The bigger amount of room in Canada also has an effect on living cost. I think that it is a lot easier to live in Canada than the U.S. Especially considering minimum wage.

Free health care is a great benefit when living on minimum wage. Paying for health care is an expense that minimum wage doesn’t cover. On a low budget it’s hard to get proper nutrition because junk food is cheaper. An unbalanced diet causes more health problems. Without free health care those diet related problems, and other problems as well, cannot be addressed. I’m glad to live in Canada where health care is free; it has had an impact on my life.

The higher minimum wage rate also contributes to low income Canadians. In the US minimum is roughly around $5.15, depending on location, in Canada it’s around $7.15. Two more dollars each hour adds up, for instance every ten hours is worth $20 dollars more. I think that minimum wage is a lot better in Canada. A little more money can go a long way.

One other thing that helps lower income people in Canada is that there is more space and less people. More space means it is easier to afford a lot with a yard for growing food. A garden cuts back on food costs and helps with better diet. A greater amount of space is better for everyone, not just those on minimum wage.

In the end I believe living in Canada is easier and more affordable than the United States. Canada’s health care system is one of the greatest things for low budget individuals. In the USA, minimum wage is too low; in Canada it is much better. Canada is one of the largest countries in the world, with one of the lowest populations as compared to size; there is room to breathe. If the choice to live in either North American Countries is given, I think Canada would be the obvious decision for those at the minimum wage level.

Works Cited

Minimum Wage. Online. Internet. 21 September, 2006.