Toronto nonprofit pays job seekers to come in for interviews
And additionally for completing a test assignment, if necessary.
FoodShare Toronto is dedicated to promoting healthy and frugal eating, supporting local food producers and low-income people. In practice it looks like organic production and then home delivery of healthy and vegan food. Part of the profit goes to food aid for the poor and to organizing various events that draw attention to the problems of nutrition and social inequality.
In keeping with its stated mission, the company decided to extend its ideas about social justice to job seekers by compensating them for their time. Starting March 1, 2022, the company will pay $75 CAD per interview.
Management also announced an increase in the minimum hourly rate to $24 CAD. That's almost $10 CAD more than the minimum rate that employers are required to pay by Ontario law. The principle internally is that the highest-paid worker can get three times as much money as the lowest-paid worker, but no more than that.
Canada takes workers' rights very seriously and tries to promote humanity at all levels. For example, during the pandemic the Nova Scotian authorities imposed a four-day workweek. Unions in Canada often organize strikes to push for better pay and conditions.
