Investing in People: A Call for Equity
You may remember the story of the CEO who reduced his own million-dollar salary to raise his company’s minimum wage to $70,000. That CEO, Dan Price, made headlines, sparked debate, and later became the subject of legal scrutiny and controversy. While his personal conduct rightly raised concern, the results of that wage decision implemented at his company, Gravity Payments, deserve attention.
At the time, critics warned he was risking everything. But six years later, his decision led to these results:
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The organization’s revenue tripled.
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Staff turnover dropped significantly.
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Employees were able to buy homes, reduce debt, and save for the future.
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The case is now studied at Harvard Business School.
This wasn’t a fluke. It was a conscious decision to invest in people first, not profit. The lesson here is that when those in positions of power and means lead with fairness and empathy, everyone benefits.
For me, this isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a powerful lesson in social justice and economic dignity. It reminds us that every person deserves a chance to thrive, not just survive.
Here in Canada, we value inclusion, fairness, and human rights. Yet we still see growing inequality. Too many hard-working Canadians are living below the poverty line. We need better solutions and policies that reflect who we are and who we aspire to be.
What if we:
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Treated living wages as a standard, not an exception?
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Designed systems that gave every person a real chance to thrive?
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Reimagined success as shared, not hoarded?
These values are deeply Canadian. Supporting strong social programs, fair wages, and exploring basic income isn’t radical. It’s responsible. It’s compassionate. It’s smart.
If you are thinking, this does not apply to me because I’m not a business leader or policy maker…think again. We can all reflect on how we treat others, especially those who don’t share our income, education, or privilege. That reflection starts in everyday life.
One of the most impactful things we can do is build relationships with people from all walks of life, without status, labels, or judgement. Consider visiting small, local businesses and restaurants where the atmosphere might be humble but the heart is rich. When we spend time in these community-rooted spaces and engage with the people who work there, we create a culture of mutual respect and belonging. We not only support livelihoods, we foster trust, dignity, and connection. Associating only with those who look or live like us can unintentionally reinforce barriers. But when we break bread across divides, we build a better society.
Let’s not wait for a “hero” to make these changes. Let’s embody them in our communities, our workplaces, and our country. Let’s meet each other with humility and humanity.
This is how we build a better, fairer Canada.
With heartfelt hope in a kinder tomorrow,
Sharon
Image by ChatGPT.
