There’s something extraordinary about having your sister by your side on your wedding day. It’s in the joy of knowing that the person who’s been there for every chapter of your life is cheering you through one of your most beautiful moments.
In this video that’s been capturing hearts across social media, we see this sisterly bond in its purest form. This lovely bride’s sister decided to play the role of hype woman, and she did so effortlessly. As the gorgeous bride, Chioma got prepared to get hitched, her sister serenaded her and also hyped her up in their native Igbo language—‘omalicha nwanne m’ ‘Achalugo’ — referring to her flawless beauty, telling her everything she needed to hear on her big day. Caught up in the moment, she got teary, truly mesmerised by the lovely bride’s beauty. The energy in this video is absolutely contagious, and you can’t help but smile while watching it.
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<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/snow-falling-on-a-montreal-street-full-of-row-houses-and-low-rise-apartment-buildings-illustrative.jpg?id=53829286&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C85%2C0%2C85"/><br/><br/><p> A new report reveals just <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-average-rent-by-neighbourhood-september-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how much you need to earn to afford rent</a> in some of Canada's biggest cities, and spoiler alert: It's a lot.
</p><p> If you're thinking about <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/moving-to-canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moving to Canada</a> or wondering where the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/how-much-you-need-to-make-to-afford-a-home-canada-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most affordable cities in Canada</a> are, this breakdown from real estate platform Zoocasa might make you think twice about your next move. Whether you're in Vancouver, Montreal or Saskatoon, rent is taking up a huge chunk of people's income — especially those earning minimum wage — and it's costing more and more to <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/how-much-you-need-to-earn-to-live-comfortably-in-quebec-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">live comfortably in 2024</a>.</p><p> According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), no more than 32% of your income should go toward housing costs — but <a href="https://www.zoocasa.com/blog/how-much-should-minimum-wage-be-to-afford-rent-across-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zoocasa's report</a> reveals that in cities like Montreal, Quebec City and even smaller spots like Regina, this just isn't happening. In fact, many Canadians are paying nearly double what they should to keep a roof over their heads.
</p><p> The report shows the required hourly wages and annual incomes Canadians need in order to afford rent for an average one-bedroom apartment in different cities across the country. These numbers are based on full-time hours (37.5 hours per week) and the 32% rule for income allocation. Here's a snapshot of the findings:
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<li>Vancouver: $51.73 per hour ($100,875 annually)</li>
<li>Toronto: $48.08 per hour ($93,750 annually)</li>
<li>Victoria: $41.54 per hour ($81,000 annually)</li>
<li>Halifax: $40.38 per hour ($78,750 annually)</li>
<li>Ottawa: $38.65 per hour ($75,375 annually)</li>
<li>Calgary: $34.23 per hour ($66,750 annually)</li>
<li><strong>Montreal: $33.46 per hour ($65,250 annually)</strong></li>
<li>Hamilton: $33.27 per hour ($64,875 annually)</li>
<li>Winnipeg: $28.46 per hour ($55,500 annually)</li>
<li>Quebec City: $27.31 per hour ($53,250 annually)</li>
<li>Edmonton: $26.15 per hour ($51,000 annually)</li>
<li>Regina: $25 per hour ($48,750 annually)</li>
<li>Saskatoon: $24.42 per hour ($47,625 annually)</li>
</ul><p> The study reveals the harsh reality that nowhere in Canada is minimum wage enough to cover the average rent cost of living alone. </p><p>For example, the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-minimum-wage-isnt-enough-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum wage in Quebec</a> is currently $15.75 per hour, but a full-time worker earning that would only be able to afford around $819 per month in rent — way less than the actual average of $1,740 in Montreal. Meanwhile, even if they paired up with a roommate and split the cost of a two-bedroom, they'd be looking at $1,130 for their half.</p><p> According to Zoocasa, the gap between income and rent costs continues to widen, making it harder for Canadians to afford housing without exceeding the recommended budget guidelines. This affordability crisis is leaving many with no choice but to stretch their finances beyond comfortable limits or consider relocating to more affordable cities — where job opportunities are typically fewer as well.
</p><p> For anyone moving within Canada or those thinking about calling Canada home, this report is a crucial wake-up call. Where you live could significantly affect your financial well-being, so it's important to know just how much you'll need to make to stay afloat.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em>
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<em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em>
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