A Quick Look at the Math: Why the Current Offer Doesn't Work in 2026

📢 UPDATE / A QUICK LOOK AT THE MATH:

A few community members have reached out asking what the actual numbers look like compared to real-world business expenses. I want to share the factual math specifically for our Corunna office:

The "Before" Base Rate: Approx. $38.00 / hr. (This baseline hasn't had a proper structural adjustment since 2014!)

The New Ministry Offer: $40.25 / hr base + annual stipend = effective rate of approx. $45.06 / hr.

Why that doesn't work in 2026:

An increase of about $5.00/hr over a 12-year period equals roughly a 0.5% adjustment per year—nowhere near matching inflation, rising commercial rent, hydro, business insurance, or paying our hard-working local staff a fair living wage.

When you calculate 2026 commercial operating costs for our office, keeping our doors open costs approx. $72.48 / hr. That leaves a deficit of over $27 / hr that small business owners are expected to subsidize out of pocket.

This isn't about profit—it’s about simple math. We love serving Corunna, but no small business can continuously run at a loss!