Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs- $15 Minimum Wage and Equal Pay for Part-Time and Full-Time Workers Part of Plan to Help People Get Ahead in a Changing Economy
May 30, 2017 10:20 A.M.
Ontario is taking historic action to create more opportunity and security for workers with a plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs. This includes hiking the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introducing paid sick days for every worker and stepping up enforcement of employment laws.
Over the past three years, Ontario’s economy has outperformed all G7 countries in terms of real GDP growth. While exports and business investments are increasing and the unemployment rate is at a 16-year low, the nature of work has changed. Many workers are struggling to support their families on part-time, contract or minimum-wage work. Government has a responsibility to address precarious employment and ensure Ontario workers are protected by updating the province’s labour and employment laws.
To help safeguard employees and create fairer and better workplaces, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced today that the government is moving forward with a landmark package of measures, including:
-Raising Ontario’s general minimum wage to $14 per hour on January 1, 2018, and then to $15 on January 1, 2019, followed by annual increases at the rate of inflation.
-Mandating equal pay for part-time, temporary, casual and seasonal employees doing the same job as full-time employees; and equal pay for temporary help agency employees doing the same job as permanent employees at the agencies’ client companies.
-Expanding personal emergency leave to include an across-the-board minimum of at least two paid days per year for all workers.
-Bringing Ontario’s vacation time into line with the national average by ensuring at least three weeks’ vacation after five years with a company.
-Making employee scheduling fairer, including requiring employees to be paid for three hours of work if their shift is cancelled within 48 hours of its scheduled start time.
The government will also propose measures to expand family leaves and make certain that employees are not mis-classified as independent contractors, ensuring they get the benefits they deserve. To enforce these changes, the province will hire up to 175 more employment standards officers and launch a program to educate both employees and small and medium-sized businesses about their rights and obligations under the Employment Standards Act.
QUOTES
” The economy has changed. Work has changed. It’s time our laws and protections for workers changed too. Too many families are struggling to get by on part-time or contract work and unstable employment. And no one working full time in Ontario should live in poverty. With these changes, every worker in Ontario will be treated fairly, paid a living wage and have the opportunities they deserve.”
– Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
” These changes will ensure every hard-working Ontarian has the chance to reach their full potential and share in Ontario’s prosperity. Fairness and decency must be the defining values of our workplaces.”
– Kevin Flynn
Minister of Labour
QUICK FACTS
Today’s announcement responds to the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review, conducted by Special Advisors C. Michael Mitchell and John C. Murray, over the course of two years. It is the first-ever independent review of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Labour Relations Act, 1995.
The report estimates that more than 30 per cent of Ontario workers were in precarious work in 2014. This type of employment makes it hard to earn a decent income and interferes with opportunities to enjoy decent working conditions and/or puts workers at risk.
In 2016, the median hourly wage was $13.00 for part-time workers and $24.73 for full-time workers. Over the past 30 years, part-time work has grown to represent nearly 20 per cent of total employment.
Currently, half of the workers in Ontario earning less than $15 per hour are between the ages of 25 and 64, and the majority are women.
More than a quarter of Ontario workers would receive a pay hike through the proposed increase to the minimum wage.
Studies show that a higher minimum wage results in less employee turnover, which increases business productivity.
Ontario is proposing a broad consultation process to gain feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders on the draft legislation it intends to introduce. To facilitate this consultation, it is proposing to send the legislation to committee after First Reading.
LEARN MORE
The Changing Workplaces Review — Final Report
Disponible en Français
Équité en milieu de travail, meilleurs emplois
Salaire minimum de 15 $ l’heure et parité salariale pour travail à temps partiel et à temps plein afin d’aider les gens à réussir au sein de l’économie en évolution
30 mai 2017 10h20
L’Ontario adopte des mesures historiques afin de créer plus de possibilités et de sécurité pour les travailleuses et travailleurs grâce à un plan pour l’équité en milieu de travail et de meilleurs emplois. Il s’agit notamment de hausser le salaire minimum, de veiller à ce que les travailleurs à temps partiel touchent le même taux horaire que les travailleurs à temps plein, de prévoir des congés de maladie payés pour tous les travailleurs et de renforcer la mise en application des lois régissant le travail.
Au cours des trois dernières années, le rendement de l’économie de l’Ontario a surpassé celui de tous les pays du G7 sur le plan de la croissance réelle du PIB. Certes, les exportations et les investissements des entreprises sont à la hausse et le taux de chômage est à son plus bas en 16 ans, mais nous constatons aussi que la nature du travail a changé. De nombreux travailleurs éprouvent de la difficulté à subvenir aux besoins de leur famille avec un emploi à temps partiel, contractuel ou au salaire minimum. Le gouvernement a la responsabilité d’agir face à la précarité de l’emploi et de veiller à ce que les travailleurs de l’Ontario soient protégés en actualisant les lois provinciales qui régissent le travail et l’emploi.
Pour contribuer à protéger les employés et créer des milieux de travail plus équitables et plus conviviaux, la première ministre Kathleen Wynne a annoncé aujourd’hui que le gouvernement va de l’avant avec un train de mesures inédites, dont les suivantes :
hausser le salaire minimum général en Ontario à 14 $ l’heure le 1er janvier 2018, puis à 15 $ le 1er janvier 2019, ce qui sera suivi par des hausses annuelles correspondant au taux d’inflation;
rendre obligatoire la parité salariale des employés à temps partiel, temporaires, occasionnels et saisonniers qui font le même travail que les employés à temps plein, et une paie égale pour les employés des agences de placement temporaire qui font le même travail que le personnel permanent de leurs entreprises clientes;
élargir le droit à des congés d’urgence personnelle pour inclure un minimum général d’au moins deux jours rémunérés par an pour tous les travailleurs;
faire correspondre la durée des vacances annuelles en Ontario à la durée moyenne nationale en accordant au moins trois semaines de vacances après 5 ans d’emploi avec le même employeur;
rendre plus équitable la planification des horaires de travail, ce qui comprend exiger que les employés soient payés pendant trois heures si leur quart de travail est annulé dans les 48 heures précédant l’heure de début planifiée.
Le gouvernement proposera aussi des mesures pour rendre plus équitable la planification des horaires du personnel, augmenter les congés familiaux et prévenir la classification erronée d’employés en tant qu’entrepreneurs indépendants, de manière à ce qu’ils obtiennent les avantages sociaux qu’ils méritent. Pour appliquer ces changements, la province embauchera jusqu’à 175 agentes et agents des normes d’emplois et lancera un programme de sensibilisation des employés et des petites et moyennes entreprises concernant leurs droits et obligations aux termes de la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi.
CITATIONS
« L’économie et le marché du travail d’emploi ont évolué. Il est temps d’adapter aussi nos lois et les mécanismes de protection de notre main-d’oeuvre. Trop de familles ont du mal à joindre les deux bouts avec du travail à temps partiel, contractuel ou instable. Aucun travailleur à temps plein en Ontario ne devrait vivre dans la pauvreté. Grâce à ces changements, les travailleuses et travailleurs de l’Ontario seront traités avec équité, toucheront un revenu décent et auront les possibilités qu’ils méritent.»
– Kathleen Wynne
première ministre de l’Ontario
« Ces changements feront en sorte que les Ontariennes et Ontariens qui ont du coeur à l’ouvrage puissent avoir la chance de réaliser tout leur potentiel et de partager la prospérité de l’Ontario. L’équité et la cordialité doivent être des valeurs définitoires de nos lieux de travail.»
– Kevin Flynn
ministre du Travail
FAITS EN BREF
L’annonce d’aujourd’hui va dans le sens du rapport final de l’Examen portant sur l’évolution des milieux de travail que les conseillers spéciaux C. Michael Mitchell et John C. Murray ont mené pendant une période de deux ans. Il s’agit du tout premier examen indépendant de la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi et de la Loi de 1995 sur les relations de travail.
Le rapport évalue que plus de 30 % des travailleurs ontariens avaient un emploi précaire en 2014. Ce genre d’emploi fait qu’il est difficile d’obtenir un revenu suffisant et compromet les chances de profiter de conditions de travail décentes, en plus de faire subir des risques aux travailleurs.
En 2016, le salaire horaire moyen était de 13 $ pour les travailleurs à temps partiel et de 24,73 $ pour les travailleurs à temps plein. Au cours des 30 dernières années, le travail à temps partiel a augmenté de sorte qu’il représente près de 20 % de tous les emplois.
À l’heure actuelle, la moitié des travailleurs en Ontario qui gagnent moins de 15 $ l’heure ont de 25 à 64 ans et la majorité de ces effectifs sont des femmes.
Plus du quart des travailleurs de l’Ontario recevraient une hausse salariale grâce à l’augmentation proposée du salaire minimum.
Des études démontrent qu’un salaire minimum plus élevé réduit le roulement du personnel, ce qui accroît la productivité des entreprises.
L’Ontario propose un vaste processus de consultation afin d’obtenir la rétroaction d’une grande variété d’intéressés concernant le projet de loi envisagé. Pour faciliter cette consultation, il est proposé de soumettre le projet de loi à un comité après la première lecture.
POUR EN SAVOIR DAVANTAGE
Examen portant sur l’évolution des milieux de travail — rapport final
Economic statement: puts money back into your pocket
Last week, Ontario’s Minister of Finance presented the Fall Economic Statement with a promise to put money back into the pockets of people in Ontario, and a promise that trust and accountability in government will return. Despite the $15 billion deficit—now down to $14.5 billion—we inherited from the previous administration, we are approaching financial order the same way as families deal with their budgets; pay your bills and make every dollar count. We will provide financial transparency and restore balance to our economy.
In Ontario, a strong economy requires an accountable government you can trust. Accountability, transparency, and trust are integral. The conventional approach to ‘sweeping it under the rug’ is not the approach we employ. Our government has established an independent Financial Commission to closely monitor and review expenditures.
Recently released in the Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, was the 2018-19 deficit report—currently at $14.5 billion. Since we have taken government, the province has saved approximately $3.2 billion in expenses without cutting public services. We have scrapped the cap-and-trade carbon tax, which has offered significant savings and kept $2.7 billion in the pockets of people and of small business.
Today Ontario is $347 billion in debt. Statistically, that figure suggests that each individual in Ontario is more than $24,000 in debt and the interest continues to grow. According to the Ministry of Finance (MOF), we will have to pay $12.5 billion this year to service this debt. With regard to the province’s expenses, interest on the debt ranks fourth following healthcare, education, and social services. The dollars that go to paying our debt restrict crucial public services that are meant to benefit Ontarians.
In order to present a clear picture of Ontario’s finances, our government must restore transparent reporting practices. Under the previous government, according to Auditor General of Ontario Bonnie Lysyk, accounting practices were “not a reasonable presentation of Ontario’s finances.”
Our government has proposed tax cuts and tax relief that are efficient and save money. Not only have we cancelled the previous proposed tax on beer, but we have proposed important tax relief for individuals, families, and small businesses.
We have announced LIFT— the Low- Income Individuals and Family Tax credit — which would offer individuals $850 in tax relief and couples $1,700. Putting this into perspective, about 17 percent of individuals and families would receive this tax relief. Any minimum wage worker or person who has an income of less than $30,000 or a family earning less than $60,000 would benefit by paying no provincial income tax.
The ultimate goal is to put more money in the pockets of the people while being explicit and transparent with the province’s books. Although the road ahead looks rough and will not be easy, our government has the means to implement programs and balance a budget that is conducive to everyone’s financial well-being. We will strategize to reduce debt and save money, but not at the expense of people.
Our government will achieve the trust of people and be accountable. From tax cuts to a solid plan for restoring Ontario’s financial house, our government has a plan for the people. Consequent to the previous government’s money mismanagement and reckless spending, we are prioritizing fiscal stability for the province and financial security and stability for all who reside in it — individuals, families, and businesses alike.
Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand Norfolk
Patrick Brown’s Conservatives promise to roll-back minimum wage too
The Conservatives, including local Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett, have finally shown their true colours.
Today, they voted against Ontario’s Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act, effectively saying no to a $15 minimum wage, no to equal pay for part-time and full-time workers, no to expanded personal emergency leave, and no to at least three weeks of vacation after five years of service.
Worse, they’ve promised to roll back a $15 minimum wage and delay the full increase by another four years.
“Despite our growing economy, some Ontarians in Haldimand-Norfolk are working full-time yet are struggling to pay rent, put food on the table or care for their families. These people can’t afford to wait,” said Kevin Flynn, Liberal MPP for Oakville. “For them, delaying a minimum wage increase is the same as denying one. They understand better than anyone that what the Conservatives are proposing is unfair.”
Local community leaders understand this too. Justin Chong, a staff lawyer with Neighbourhood Legal Services for London and Middlesex, has said that:
Legal clinic caseworkers see the direct impact low wages can have on workers who rely on these jobs to get by. We believe by increasing the minimum wage, you will have a direct impact on vulnerable workers’ security and well-being. (Committee Hansard, July 18th, 2017)
If the Conservatives were in charge, these vulnerable workers could be caught in what Chong calls a “cycle of debt.”
Our plan is different, phasing in a $15 minimum wage over 18 months. By tying increases to inflation, minimum wage could be upwards of $16 by 2022 too.
Only the Ontario Liberals are willing to fight for fairness, standing with those who worry about falling behind even as they work so hard to get ahead. Together with free tuition, rent control, and OHIP+, our plan is another step towards increasing fairness and creating more opportunity. In voting against these progressive policies, the Conservatives are doing exactly what Ontarians expect of them.
Phase-in minimum wage increase to 2022: Opposition
QUEEN’S PARK – During Question Period today, Opposition Leader Patrick Brown pointed out all three parties had previously agreed to take the politics out of minimum wage increases and provide predictability for business by agreeing to increase minimum wage by the consumer price index. That changed when Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the proposal for a $15 minimum wage on May 30.
“You’ve got TD Bank saying 90,000 jobs will be lost; you’ve got the chamber saying it’s much more than that,” Brown said in the Legislature. “We’re going to see low-income, vulnerable workers lose their jobs because the Premier refuses to have a reasonable phase-in.”
[Yesterday], Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett and his Opposition colleagues put forward an amendment to the proposed labour legislation to extend the $15 rollout to January 1, 2022. This proposal was rejected by the government.
“Ontario deserves a minimum wage increase, but the Wynne Liberals are recklessly pushing forward with this hike as a ploy to buy votes,” said PC Labour Critic John Yakabuski. “Wynne’s plan will lead to massive job losses across the province. It will severely damage Ontario’s competitiveness, and it will make everything more expensive, including gas and groceries.”
Barrett, a 14-year member of the Finance Committee, where the motion was tabled, explained, “There are a huge number of jobs at risk with such a rapid increase in the minimum wage. However, the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis concluded the number at risk would decrease by 75 per cent if the minimum wage was increased over five years, instead of 14 months. A slightly slower rollout of the $15 minimum wage would get employees their pay increase, save the jobs and the businesses they work for.”
The Ontario PCs had previously announced that if elected, the increase of the minimum wage from $14/hour to $15/hour will be phased in over a four-year period. This means the minimum wage would increase by $0.25 each year over the PC mandate, starting in 2019 and reaching $15/hour on January 1, 2022.
Barrett also doesn’t think the cut in the corporate tax rate proposed by the government will help.
“This government just doesn’t get it,” Barrett said. “A one per cent cut in corporate tax won’t make a difference if a company ends up operating at a loss or closes its doors. Increasing minimum wage is just the tip of the iceberg, on top of high electricity rates and mountains of red tape.”
“The Fall Economic Statement is proof that the Liberals didn’t do their homework,” added Opposition Finance Critic Vic Fedeli. “Rather than slow down their minimum wage hike, they are just trying to throw more money at the problem. This band-aid will do nothing for a business with no income or employees left.”
Barrett has heard a steady string of concerns since the government announced the minimum wage increase. Outside of business, one of his concerns has been the most vulnerable in society – the people this bill purportedly is designed to help – will instead be its greatest victims. During Finance Committee hearings, Barrett and committee members heard from a business owner who employs challenged individuals. Those positions will be eliminated with the higher minimum wage. Barrett has heard from the family of a local person with disabilities who already lost his job due to the proposed wage hike. He is also concerned students may become victims of the bill.
The Haldimand-Norfolk MPP also pointed out the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement is an unknown factor in Ontario’s economy.
For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org Please mention the Silo when contacting.
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
DRAFT HANSARD
Nov. 16, 2017
MINIMUM WAGE
Mr. Patrick Brown: My question is for the Premier. I would like to read a quote. “In the past, political whim and government ideology has … driven minimum wage. … We have to bring in legislation to tie it to inflation and I hope we have the support of the other parties in the legislature. It is the fairest position that we could have taken.”
Mr. Speaker, can the Premier tell us who said that?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think I might have said that. Mr. Speaker, I said it at a time when the economy was really in trouble, when we were recovering from the economic downturn. We made a decision about tagging the minimum wage to the inflation rate, and that’s exactly what we will do after we raise the minimum wage: $14 this January, $15—
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We’ll move to warnings if we need to. That will be the next move.
Finish, please.
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —$15 January 1, 2019, Mr. Speaker. The plan that the opposition has put forward, to roll back that minimum wage increase, is unfair. It does not recognize the reality that people—
Mr. John Yakabuski: That’s false. That’s false.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We’re in warnings. Thank you. And they’ll come quick.
Carry on.
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It does not recognize the reality that people in the province—although the province is doing very well economically, there are people who are struggling to get ahead.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Premier: I acknowledge the Premier’s consistently fighting a $15 minimum wage for years, when the NDP had proposed this. Now, what’s happened? Six months from an election—
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Government House leader is warned.
Carry on.
Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, for years the Premier steadfastly fought a $15 minimum wage, and what happens? Six months before an election, she changes her tune. Let me share a more recent quote from the Premier on a $15 minimum wage. “This is a fair adjustment to the minimum wage and it gives businesses predictability.”
“It takes the decision out of the political whim.”
The Premier was fighting for business predictability against a $15 minimum wage. Can the Premier tell us …
L118-1035-16 ends
L118-1040-16 begins
(Mr. Patrick Brown)
… takes the decision out of a political whim.
The Premier was fighting for business predictability against a $15 minimum wage. Can the Premier tell us why all of a sudden she has changed her mind?
1040
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Unlike the Leader of the Opposition who is the leader of a party that froze the minimum wage for nine years, Mr. Speaker, I am part of a government that has increased the minimum wage year after year after year. I have never fought increases to the minimum wage. I have supported minimum wage increases.
When we made the decision to bump the minimum wage and to tag it to inflation, Mr. Speaker, we determined at that time that because the economy was not in good shape, we wouldn’t do that catch-up. That was something that was said to us, you know, that we should do a catch-up. At that time, we believed that that would not be responsible. But, Mr. Speaker, I have always believed that a minimum wage that was a living wage was important. That’s why we are putting in place a $15 minimum wage that that party would roll back.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock, please. Be seated, please. Thank you.
Final supplementary?
Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Premier. I’d appreciate that we don’t say false statements in the House, like a rollback that the Premier knows is absolutely false. But let me just say that the gist of my question is about this: You’ve got TD Bank saying 90,000 jobs will be lost; you’ve got the chamber saying it’s much more than that. We’re going to see low-income, vulnerable workers lose their jobs because the Premier refuses to have a reasonable phase-in.
The Premier actually said something else recently. This is the Premier of Ontario: “We really want to move away from an ad hoc system….We have to move very carefully because this is about making sure that we retain and create jobs.” This isn’t speaking against the NDP proposal for a living wage. So you have the Premier saying it will kill jobs and then all of a sudden she changes her mind.
If a year ago you think it killed jobs, why does the Premier think now that all of a sudden her previous statements don’t exist?
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Be seated, please. Thank you.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Without the comments.
Premier?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, the economy in Ontario is doing very well. When we made a decision to tag the increases to the minimum wage to inflation, we were in a time when we were digging out of a recessionary hole. We’ve done that. At this moment, with the province doing as well as it is, it is only fair that everyone in this province, if they’re working 40 hours a week, shouldn’t have to go to the food bank. They should be able to look after themselves and their children. You’re either on the side of fairness or you’re not. You either believe that people should be able to feed themselves and their families, or you don’t. We believe people should be able to, and they apparently do not.
Workers, businesses and academics agree new legislation helps Ontarians
Yesterday, Liberal MPPs heard from a number of Ontarians about the importance of making sure everyone is sharing in the benefits of our growing economy. Here’s what workers, small businesses and academics are saying about the new Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs legislation:
“Those [studies] making the wildest predictions were met with almost unanimous skepticism and criticism from Canadian economists. And even the authors of some of these analyses admit that they expect net employment in Ontario to continue growing, even after the introduction of a $15 minimum wage. Opponents of raising the minimum wage are assuming against the tide of economic evidence that shows that increases in minimum wage are beneficial for workers and the economy.”
– Michal Rozworski, Economist
“Actually, we only started paying a living wage the last 8 or 9 years. It had a great impact: we had 0 turnover, our staff was more invested in building relationships with the clients, they were happier, they were able to spend more time – just fostered a much better work environment than we previously had, for sure.”
– Anita Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer and Designer, Best Bargains
“As businesses there are other ways in which we compete with each other than wages. You can compete on efficiencies or you can compete on the service that you offer – your reputation. This is stuff you build up over time. So we small businesses in Ontario can handle this change, in time. We can handle it. My view is that the minimum wage in particular is not so much a raise as it is a correction, a catching up with inflation over the years, new setting of the floor at an appropriate level for folks to be able to afford their rent, and their groceries, and so on, on one pay check.”
– Gilleen Witkowski, Owner, Walk My Dog Toronto
“We see no reason for Ontario not to lead on this and take the initiative. We think it will have significant benefits in terms of eroding inequality and it’s high time that the province took the lead on this.”
– Brad James, Department Leader, United Steelworkers District 6
“[This bill] will be good for the future, it will be good for the economy, it will be good for their children, and their children’s children, it will be good for all of us.”
– Fred Hahn, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees (Ontario)
“It will have the effect of adding an additional 5 billion dollars each and every year to Ontario’s economy, because we know when there is money in workers pockets, it is largely spent, and it goes back into local business’ and stimulates the economy.”
– Pam Frache, Ontario Coordinator, Fight for $15 and Fairness
“If people had money to pay for healthy food, to pay for their medications, to attend to their doctors’ appointments, they could get monitoring every three months, they’d be doing better and we wouldn’t have these major costs down the road.”
– Dr. Andrew Pinto, Member and Family Physician, Decent Work and Health Network
“I work with people who try to exist in low wages, and I know that raising those wages so that people can get themselves above the poverty line. People will be using that money in local economies – I know that our economy is driven by consumer demand, and household consumption, so to me that is a good thing.“
– Mary Gellatly, Community Legal Worker, Parkdale Community Legal Services
For More Information: please mention The Silo when calling (416) 325-9138
People want better representation in Haldimand-Norfolk
At the Norfolk County Fair in Simcoe that was held from Oct 3rd to Oct 9th, 2017 I spent a lot of time at the Federal and Provincial Liberal booth in the exhibition hall.
We had a staggering amount of People stopping at the Liberal booth expressing that they are not happy with the current representation at Queen’s Park and offering to support the Liberals.
Even the visit by Patrick Brown at the fair did not help his Wing-man (current MPP) to gain traction and resulted only in a Brown typical attack propaganda speech promising to do things the Liberal Government is already doing.
In his interview with the Simcoe Reformer, he said he would work out exemptions to the $ 15 hourly minimum wage.
I met veteran Liberal Deputy Premier Deb Matthews not long ago in London and we talked about the minimum wage and that it will create a challenge in some sectors such as agriculture.
She told me that the Government is actively working on a plan to help not only the farmers but also small businesses and the food industry. They are listening to the feedback they are getting and will tailor the help program to support the affected sectors to lengthen the introductory period of the new wage – exactly what Mr. Brown is offering as his platform.
Once in office, I will work with and for the agricultural community. Being a farmer myself I understand the difficulties and challenges farmers in Haldimand-Norfolk and in all of Ontario are faced with. Off-shore workers, for example, are an integral part of our agricultural industry and many farmers are depending on it. I would like to sit down with all groups and stakeholders to address these concerns and come up with a plan to present at Queen’s Park. One way might be to offset the additional costs any farmer using off-shore workers incurs to a higher degree against the wage than at the present, but there will be other ways and suggestions on what and how we can deal with the challenges and difficulties. I will speak at Queen’s Park on behalf of our farming community fighting for you once I have the opportunity.
Patrick Brown is the king of misrepresentation, wrong statements, and false claims
He stated in the interview that “The Senior Lieutenants” in Kathleen Wynne’s government ‘don’t want another encounter with voters’. First of all, there are no Lieutenants in the Liberal Government. Our parliament is not a military organization. It might be in Mr. Brown’s government but then I fear for Ontario.
Deputy Minister Deb Matthews and Minister Liz Sandals are stepping back after many years of service to our Province and I want to thank them for the time and enormous effort they gave during their time in Parliament. What Patrick Brown calls “not wanting another encounter with voters” is a gross misrepresentation of “not standing for re-election”. I indeed think that ‘the public is fed up’ as he said! They are fed up with Patrick Brown’s negativity and unfounded attacks and being lied to.
Voter – be aware! Do not believe what Patrick Brown says just because he is saying it many times. That does not make anything true.
When Patrick Brown said that ‘this speaks to a greater momentum for change’ I hope he is right. We need a change in Haldimand-Norfolk’s leadership at the Provincial level.
Haldimand-Norfolk needs a Liberal voice.
Dan Matten – Liberal
The angst of proposed federal tax changes
Two issues have permeated farm gatherings and fairs this summer and fall – minimum wage proposals, and taxation changes for incorporated operations. The former is provincial, the latter federal.
As Ontario’s Opposition, we have been adamant the $15 mandatory minimum, as proposed, is going too far, too fast.
As well, during Question Period, we have challenged Premier Wynne to join us in fighting the federal tax grab on incorporated farms, and other small businesses including dentists, accountants and doctors.
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek, Ontario’s Health Critic, led the charge this September, when he asked, “These federal Liberal changes will create financial barriers for doctors to make investments in their practices. In addition, the changes will negatively impact the retirement planning process and, most importantly, will make it very difficult for doctors to continue to pay staff and office expenses during absences such as maternity leave or illness. This government gave the doctors the ability to incorporate in lieu of fee increases.”
If one had any doubts federal taxation is a hot potato for the provincial government, one need only review further responses in Question Period to Monte McNaughton, Critic for Economic Development and Growth. McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, asked, “Will the Premier help put an end to these dangerous Liberal tax hikes?” Premier Wynne punted the question to Brad Duguid, the economic development minister. In his supplementary question, McNaughton asked again, “…” will the Premier denounce these tax hikes, and will she stand up for Ontario’s small businesses?” This hot potato was again offered to the Premier, and through a clever feint by the economic development minister, then landed in the lap of Jeff Leal, who is now minister responsible for small business in addition to agriculture, food and rural affairs.
My turn came next, as agriculture critic, when I asked the Premier if she has “challenged this tax grab on farm corporations with the Prime Minister. Why will you not join us in fighting these tax hikes, so the coming generation of young farmers can afford to buy their parent’s farms?”
As I explained, “For many years, farm families have been encouraged by their Ontario government to sharpen their pencils, run their farms like a business, and if warranted, incorporate. As farmers, we were told to think about the next generation, plan for the continuity of the farm within the family, do succession planning by incorporating. Many farmers took the advice of your government, will be punished for it by punitive tax measures from your federal cousins.”
Wynne evaded the question, suggesting it was one that should be asked of the federal Liberal government by the Conservative Opposition in Ottawa. This was the same response to the earlier questions by McNaughton. A supplementary to my question, by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson brought an odd response from Minister Leal about Maxine Bernier.
During a local business round table, area MP Diane Finley pointed to the fear and confusion as to how the changes will affect small businesses. “The Liberals have proposed more spending and they need some way to finance it,” she said. “Some analyses project they will reap an addition $3 billion from this.”
If you disagree with this proposed tax grab, sign my petition at http://www.tobybarrett.com calling on the premier to fight the proposals. Toby Barrett MPP
Conservatives to Vote Against $15 Minimum Wage
PC Labour Critic Confirms Opposition to Bill 148
[Queen’s Park] Patrick Brown and the Conservatives have finally come clean, admitting they will be saying “no” to Ontario workers and voting against a $15 minimum wage.
The mea culpa came in a statement from Conservative Labour critic John Yakabuski last week, who confessed his party will “vote against Bill 148” this fall.
This stunning admission is offensive to anyone who supports building a fairer Ontario.
We want every family to benefit fairly from Ontario’s growing economy, balanced budget, and Canada-leading job growth. But while business is expanding and creating wealth, we know not everyone is sharing in the benefits. That’s why our plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs includes steps to address the concerns of those who worry about falling behind, even as they work so hard to get ahead. These include:
· Phasing in a $15 minimum wage over 18 months,
· Ensuring equal pay for equal work,
· Introducing paid sick days for every worker,
· Enabling at least three weeks’ vacation after five years with the same employer,
· Strengthening protections for temporary help agency workers, and
· Boosting enforcement of employment standards.
Yakabuski’s admission follows similar comments made by Conservative leader Patrick Brown earlier this summer. While being questioned by radio host AM980 Andrew Lawton, Patrick Brown was caught saying,
“I’m not signing on for this plan.” (Am 980, July 11, 2017)
Brown went on to say that the minimum wage increase is “too much, too soon”, when he very well knows that with these changes, living standards will rise and reliance on benefits will fall as businesses pay more fairly. Higher wages will also lead to greater job satisfaction and productivity, less turnover and more spending power for lower income earners
Patrick Brown rarely takes a stance on anything, but it’s scary that when he does, this is the outcome.
Worries beyond $15 minimum wage in labour bill
By MPP Toby Barrett
Much of this summer’s discussion on proposed labour legislation has focused on the $15 minimum wage and its impact on labour-intensive agriculture, student jobs and the restaurant trade.
Previously, all three political parties had agreed to take the minimum wage out of the political arena and set it according to the consumer price index. This gave business predictability. Bill 148 throws that agreement out the window.
Bill 148 also goes far beyond the proposed 32 per cent increase in mandatory pay, with sweeping changes ranging from workplace scheduling and wage parity to union organizing and doctor’s notes.
Ontario has already lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs. Many of the hundreds of oral and written submissions to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs address these worries.
Marc Neeb, Executive Vice-President, Magna International, wrote to our committee, “We believe the tipping point for Magna may well be the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017. For the first time in our 60-year history, we find ourselves in the very untenable position of questioning whether we will be able to continue to operate at historical levels in this province.”
As an employer of 22,000 people in Ontario in 50 manufacturing and engineering facilities, this is a serious message. When secondary companies that support Magna and the auto industry in Ontario are taken into consideration, there could be tens of thousands of jobs at stake.
Reiterating Bill 148 is the last straw and is one-sided, Neeb laid out some of the other challenges to doing business in Ontario including: uncompetitive hydro rates, increased payroll and pension costs, cap and trade policies, and some of the highest personal income tax rates in the G7.
Karl Baldauf from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce recently addressed the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce: “. . . such a dramatic change is simply unprecedented when you look at jurisdictions that have moved to $15 an hour. . . . to say nothing of the intent, the speed with which this public policy is being driven is an incredible pace.”
Baldauf explained that people who will suffer the most are the “most vulnerable in our society” – the same people the bill purports to be protecting.
Both Baldaulf and Neeb echoed the request, from so many other employers, for a longer transition – in the range of three to five years.
Our Finance Committee received other concerns about Bill 148.
The proposed provision allowing employees to refuse scheduling changes with less than four days advance notice was felt to be completely impractical by many who testified.
Another concern was wage parity for contract, part-time and temporary workers – workers who may be the first to be cut if Bill 148 passes.
Also problematic is the proposed ban on the ability of employers to validate absences by asking for medical evidence.
We also heard that moving to card-based union certification is both undemocratic and not in the best interests of workers. The present secret ballot vote is a basic principle upon which our democracy is based.
Our local Simcoe District Chamber of Commerce, in their brief, sums it up by advocating Bill 148 requires more balance, and should be on hold until the necessary studies and alternatives are adequately considered – a sentiment consistently echoed by calls and e-mails to my office.
Support for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs across Ontario
Workers, small businesses and academics agree new legislation helps Ontarians
Over the past two weeks, Liberal MPPs have travelled across the province to hear about the importance of making sure everyone is sharing in the benefits of our growing economy. Last week, they made stops in London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, and Toronto, getting valuable feedback from workers, small businesses and academics in every community. Here’s what those speakers had to say about the new Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs legislation:
Helmi Ansari, Owner, Grosche International
“I think the reward is going to be tremendous, both from a creating the right kind of society perspective and also from the boost that I believe we will see in business, especially in local business. For us, paying the living wage was not just the right thing to do it was the essential thing to do, the smart thing to do, to retain our staff.”
Damin Starr, Owner, Pre-Line Processing
“When I first entered the world of business ownership, I found that many workers were underpaid, unmotivated and did not see themselves as a valued part of the company. Turnover was high, and I found myself spending more and more of my personal time at work just to stay productive. Five years ago upon launching Pre-Line Processing, I hit a cross-roads and decided to start factoring ‘livability’ into the employee’s wages. By paying my staff a living wage, it encouraged them to take ownership of their positions, build confidence, and find value in their work. This increased overall productivity, boosted company morale and virtually eliminated turnover. That’s why I believe that the increase to a $15 minimum wage is an excellent step toward strengthening the health and sustainability of Ontario’s economy.”
Amanda Terfloth, Researcher, Better Way to Build the Economy Alliance
“What the ‘too much, too soon’ debate is not adequately addressing, is what happens to local economies if people don’t have spending power in the first place. The demand side is ignored. Local businesses need a robust customer base, in order to even exist. What type of mass spending power is healthier?—that of potential customers staying-in yet again and trimming their own hair, or that of a customer that goes out and gets that hair cut? With approximately one quarter of Ontarians making under 15 dollars, spending power has been constricted on such a mass scale, and it’s bad for widespread business growth. With such a large percentage of people unable to participate in the activities that create more jobs, improving minimum wages and standards is long overdue.”
Simon Black, Professor, Centre for Labour Studies, Brock University
“As those with lower income spend more of what they earn then those with higher incomes, raising the minimum wage will improve macroeconomic conditions overall. For years we have heard that raising the minimum wage will kill jobs, raise crisis and cause businesses to flee Ontario. These opinions are out of line with the latest economic research. 20 years of studies from US, Canada, UK and elsewhere have established a scientific consensus that there is little to no job loss associated with minimum wage increases. There are many possible reasons for minimum wage increases to lead to little or no job loss as you’ve heard from some of the small business owners presenting here today. Studies have found that lower turnover, more on the job training and higher productivity can all flow from a minimum wage increase. In short, raising the minimum wage makes for better, more productive workplaces.”
Sheila Block, Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
“It’s really worth repeating that twenty years of peer reviewed academic economic research refutes the claims of the business lobby that this legislation will be counterproductive and result in falling employment and incomes. Instead the research consistently shows that there is little negative impact on employment form minimum wage increases. And as an economist I can really assure you that just as labour markets adjusted when we collectively decided that we should outlaw child labour, and when we decided that there should be a forty hour work week it will adjust to the changes that are proposed in this bill. Employers will find ways to up their game moving away from a low wage model and increasing productivity. And they will maintain profitability.”
Chris Buckley, President, Ontario Federation of Labour
“The changes that the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act will make in the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act are going to affect the life of generations to come in this province. This is a chance to get it right and to improve conditions for workers across the Ontario, whether they are unionized workers or not. It is encouraging that the government has introduced this bill, which includes an increase in the general minimum wage to 15 dollars-an-hour.”
Fred Hahn, President, CUPE Ontario
“I want to applaud the proposed increase to the minimum wage. I want to agree with Deena of the Workers Action Centre and many others not to mention dozens of economists from all parts of the economic spectrum have spoken strongly in favour of raising the minimum wage. We have a huge economic imbalance in our province, one that continues to leave workers behind. This disparity is creating a situation where a large portion of our population has substantial barriers to fully participating in our society. We only have to look at the US to see what can happen if that imbalance goes unchecked. If our province wants thrive we have to make sure that there’s a balance in the economy that works for everyone, and with the amendments in Bill 148 the potential exists to move us in that direction.”
“In fact what [the minimum wage] helps is to generate economic activity. Because we know minimum wage earners aren’t taking that money and investing it in Swiss bank accounts. They’re spending it at their local grocery store and at their local corner store. They’re spending it in their communities, generating more economic activity there. So people are worried about the speed at which this is happening, I guess I would say in the economic climate that we’re in with the reality that you know we have tens of thousands of our fellow citizens locked in to poverty in minimum wage jobs this can’t come fast enough.”
Greg deGroot-Maggetti, Co-Chair, Ontario Living Wage Network
“Currently across Ontario we have more than 200 employers that have committed to implementing living wage. And it’s a whole variety from retail to manufacturing to not-for-profit organizations to public sector employers too. And among the top reasons that employers give to us for why they implemented living wage which is – in most communities goes far beyond the $15 minimum wage that was proposed in the legislation – is that very issue of turnover. Many organizations whether it be not-for-profit or private businesses see that they have a problem with turnover and recognize that compensation is a key part in fixing that problem. And so I think that the changes that are included in this legislation and bringing the minimum wage up to a livable wage for people in many communities across Ontario will help address that problem and actually be a real benefit to employers of all sorts.”
Anne Coleman, Program Manager, Living Wage Waterloo Region
“Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour just makes sense. At Living Wage Waterloo Region we believe that work should lift people out of poverty.”
Deena Ladd, Coordinator, Workers’ Action Centre
“We are very much in support of the minimum wage going up to $15…and I think it’s really quite critical that Bill 148 brings in equal pay for equal work.”
Mary Gellatly, Legal Worker, Parkdale Community Legal Services
“We believe the Bill makes a number of really important strides for precarious workers, especially the $15 minimum wage, scheduling, equal pay, paid emergency leave days, steps to make it easier to form and keep a union…the rise to $15 minimum wage is going to benefit women. It’s going to benefit youth. It’s going to benefit people with disabilities and racialized people.”
Justin Chong, Staff Lawyer, Neighbourhood Legal Services (London & Middlesex)
“The clinics we represent fully endorse the increase of the minimum wage to 15 dollars. Legal clinic caseworkers see the direct impact low wages can have on workers who rely on these jobs to get by. For example, in London at the Landlord and Tenant Board, we see approximately 100 applications for evictions due to rent arrears a week. Roughly half of the clients that we deal with directly are individuals who work; however, due to an interruption of earnings, they are not able to pay their rent on time and get stuck in a cycle of debt with their landlord… these workers are basically living paycheck-to-paycheck and do not have additional income to assist them in times of need. This is just one example of how workers are struggling to maintain basic privileges that many of us take for granted. We believe by increasing the minimum wage, you will have a direct impact on vulnerable workers’ security and well-being.”
Aashish Oberoi, Community and Legal Aid Services Programme
“We are fully in favour of raising the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2019. For our clients, the difference in earnings that would result from this proposal can be life-changing. Far too many of them are in precarious circumstances where a short bout of illness or unexpected financial cost can teeter over the edge into debt, homelessness and serious poverty.”
Shalom Schachter, Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition
“If more money is put into the hands of low income workers, they will purchase goods and services. This will create more jobs. So, we do not believe that these changes will have a negative impact. We believe that the economic studies that show in other jurisdictions that has not been the problem – in terms of people who are finding difficulty securing employments, again by putting more money into the economy, this is going to create more demand and more need for hiring.”
Tom Cooper, Director, Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction
“There needs to be a recognition that in this province today, 1.7-million employees are earning less than $15 an hour. Those workers are making impossible choices. They are certainly not able to afford the basic necessities of life, let alone being able to participate in their community and – and ensure that they can have some semblance of social inclusion. So I certainly empathize with the role. We have found here in Ontario with more than 200 examples of living wage employers who have said yes to higher wages, who have said yes we can do it. And as a result they’re seeing a significant improvement in their business bottom line.”
Deidre Pike, Senior Social Planner, Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton
“If people have adequate income, they can buy the necessities of life. They can participate in their communities. And the evidence from other jurisdictions, both in Canada, in the States, and Europe, suggest businesses will flourish.”
Joseph Kazubek, Small Business Owner
“The wage increase would…help local businesses, it would increase spending, it would encourage people to go out and spend more at restaurants which would only increase the hours for my fellow cooks and waitresses.”
Support for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs across Ontario- the 15$ minimum wage increase
Workers, small businesses and academics agree new legislation helps Ontarians
Liberal MPPs are travelling across the province to hear about the importance of making sure everyone is sharing in the benefits of our growing economy. Last week, they made stops in Thunder Bay, North Bay, Ottawa, Kingston, and Windsor, getting valuable feedback from workers, small businesses and academics in every community. Here’s what those speakers had to say about the new Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs legislation:
Jessica Carpinone, Owner, Bread By Us – Artisan Bakery & Espresso Bar (Ottawa)
“I know, from experience opening my own bakery, that it is by no means simple and easy to run a small business. We didn’t start with much, had to make money quickly, and the personal sacrifices have been immense. However, I have always vowed that I would not build a business that did not prioritize above-average labour standards. And this to me, is really the key. We as entrepreneurs need to be forward-thinking and not build and model our businesses on poverty-level wages.”
Nicole Beaulieu, Director of Labour Community Services, United Way Centraide North East Ontario
“With an increased minimum wage, you are now either in a position to help yourself and your family out of poverty and or you can help others in need as well. If everyone could make a decent wage, then all parents could pay for what they need, contribute more to our local economy, into our communities and into our children’s lives.”
Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health, Peterborough Public Health
“We also welcome the proposed increases to minimum wage. Public health research shows very clearly that raising income is the best way to improve people’s health. We anticipate a positive impact on both physical and mental health as a result of the increase to minimum wage and a particularly large impact on improving outcomes for children.”
A. Ernest Epp, Professor Emeritus of History, Lakehead University
“The evidence in communities has been that with improvement of minimum wages and improvement in the incomes of people, you have an impact on aggregate demand. It increases the amount of business that’s being done in the community. As a result, some of these concerns that business people feel about the impact of increases turn out to really not be justified.”
Samantha DeFranco, Equity Centre at Nipissing University
“Often people who have minimum wage jobs are living paycheque to paycheque. I know that that’s true for a lot of students and that when they are able to earn more money they are going to put that back into the community. And businesses are going to get more money because people are going to be spending more. I think that we have to increase minimum wage quickly because people are living in poverty right now. And if we can increase that quickly, we can ensure that people can support their families.”
Sean McKenny, President, Ottawa and District Labour Council
“The 50 [economists] that stepped forth a very short period of time ago saying that this is going to be beneficial to our community, this is going to help, this is going to create work, it’s going to create employment, it’s going to treat workers with a fairness and with a dignity so they don’t have to – and single women- don’t have to hold three and four jobs. That’s the purpose of this.”
Christine Durant, Executive Director, Poverty Hastings Prince Edward Island
“I think it’s going to have a significant impact because short-term illnesses lead to job termination which weigh into poverty. Going to doctor’s offices, having to pay that money, having to take the time off when you’re sick…Bill [148] will substantially be a preventative measure to poverty.”
Nicole Picton, Secretary – Treasurer, Ottawa CUPE District Council
“What we’re looking at is supporting workers and, and that’s what this is going to do. I think also increasing the minimum wage adds into the economy, because when people earn more, they also spend more and that contributes back to Ontario as a whole.”
Greg McGillis, Regional Executive Vice-President, Public Service Alliance of Canada – National Capital Region
“I think that’s a good start, and I applaud the government for taking this step.”
Jenny Fortin, Executive Director, Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre
“We have the Social planning council in Sudbury that is paying $16. We have Muskoka Brewery that’s paying a living wage. And my friends own a little boardroom café in Guelph and they are a living wage employer right out of school. So it can be done. And time and time again [it] shows that employee retention is better, they don’t have to spend additional costs on training…[and] their employees like them more so they speak up more in the community about the business. All of these things add to business growth.”
Wayde Smith, Unit President, United Steelworkers Local 2020
“People in our community and members of my union strongly support the progressive reform to our labour and employment laws.”
Claire Littleton, Staff Lawyer, Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic
“We know that the kind of work that our clients do is more likely to be minimum wage. They need this wage increase in order to get off of social assistance programs. This would be a benefit to our clients as individuals, it would be a benefit to the province and it would certainly be a benefit to the community of Thunder Bay.”
Bruce Taylor, P.Eng, President, Enviro-Stewards Inc.
“Many business owners would prefer that their employees didn’t need to choose to remain in poverty, just so that they can stay and help build the owner’s business. Employers motivation may be their top line of sales, as the quality of their product or service is dependent on the experience level and commitment level of their staff. It could also be their bottom line, due to the cost of their key staff recruiting and training staff over and over for the same positions. Or they may just prefer to spend their working life in a more pleasant and equitable environment. Living wage employers, such as Enviro-Stewards, have demonstrated that it is possible to unilaterally increase wages. However, it would be much easier to do so if the playing field were leveled.”
Jodi Nesbitt, President, Unifor Local 240
“I represent workers in the office, hospitality and retail sectors. We are a predominantly female membership. I applaud this government in taking a leadership role in creating decent work for all Ontarians. All workers will benefit from these bold and much needed changes. With pressure from our community and labour advocates, I’m pleased that our government has recognized that maintaining the status quo is a disservice to our province.”
Mark Lewis, General Counsel, Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario
“We think this bill and the changes that have been put forward represent sizable advantages for working people in this province, either unionized or either nonunionized and we are in favour of that because our members work really hard building this province. They deserve fairness in their workplaces for the work that they do, as do thousands and thousands of other nonunionized workers. We’ve fallen behind in certain ways in terms of minimum wage reflecting what you need to live on in this province. So yes we endorse this bill strongly.”
Dr. Sudip Minhas. Executive Director, Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women
“Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, is a step in the right direction, especially for the under-privileged and immigrant women. As various studies and anecdotal information has informed us, immigrant and racialized women have been at the lowest strata of Canadian employment hierarchy. They have been immured from the security of stable employment and living wage, thus spiraling them into a struggle for survival and human dignity. Raising minimum wage will benefit this section the most since most immigrant women work in the minimum wage category.”
Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
“The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act is an important step forward in improving the health and wellbeing of many at-risk individuals in Windsor-Essex County. This legislation addresses a number of key factors that contribute to negative mental and physical health outcomes in employees and their families in the short and long term. Further, employees who are recognized, valued, treated fairly, and compensated at an appropriate level are more likely to be healthy and productive members of the community. In a county with nearly 10% of its residents living in homes that are food insecure and the cost of eating a basic diet having increased 20% from 2010 to 2015, the proposed legislation will go a long way to helping local families meet their basic needs.”
Marion Burton, President, Peterborough and District Labour Council
“You can’t have some who benefit and some who don’t. Nobody works harder than somebody on minimum wage trying to provide for their family. So for the record we do support increasing minimum wage to $15. Overall we see a huge step forward in providing a much-more equitable situation for workers in Ontario.”
Gina Cockburn, Co-Director, Legal Services, Community Advocacy and Legal Centre (Kingston)
“It’s realistic to say that anybody who’s earning minimum wage will spend their money in their own community. They have no capacity to spend money outside of their community. When you live somewhere, you stay there, you shop there. It recycles that money into the local economy.”
Deb Henry, Produce Clerk and Woman’s Advocate and Steward at Workplace, Uniform
“So, you know, give somebody 15 dollars, as opposed to 11.40, they’re now going to be able to do things with their families and that money, in turn, is going to go back and I believe it will help the economy in the end.”
Craig McDowell, Organizing and Political Action, UFCW Local 12R24
“One of the ways that I think that minimum wage will actually help is that people will earn more money. It generates an economic stimulus in your local economy.”
Sarah Newbery, Poverty Free Thunder Bay
“I think [sick notes] create barriers to access for people who truly are sick and need care, not simply has been sick and need a note. So I absolutely support the elimination of the need for sick notes for patients who’ve had to take the, the days of time that are allocated under this legislation. It’s a very important step in the right direction.”
Teresa Williams, Community Legal Worker, Northumberland Community Legal Centre
“We do appreciate the work that has been done through the Changing Workplaces Review and following. We applaud the government for all of the implementations that have been made so far. There was actual effective progressive change, not just mere tinkering.”
Debora De Angelis, Regional Director, Ontario and National Strategic Campaigns Coordinator, UFCW Canada’s Women’s Advisory Committee
“Ontarians and especially women, especially since the majority of them are minimum-wage earners, have not seen any real increases to their wages. So they’ve been scraping by… what I see this 15-dollar minimum wage doing is just giving them that little something to do something for their families—and they will. They’ll be putting that money back into the local economy.”
Paul Chislett, President, Windsor Workers’ Education Centre
“We also support the increase in the minimum wage. I’d like to like to see the sub-minimum wages eliminated and implemented as quickly as possible, as it seems it’s going to be.”
Liberal MPPs are travelling to London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara Falls, Hamilton and Toronto this week for further public consultations.
For More Information: (416) 325-9138 Please mention the Silo when contacting.
Public hearings struck on labour legislation- I urge farmers, small business to testify on minimum wage.
SIMCOE- I am urging farmers and small business owners impacted by the planned minimum wage increase to $15 to testify before public hearings on the bill.
The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will be holding hearings during the week of July 10 to 14 in Thunder Bay, North Bay, Ottawa, Kingston and Windsor-Essex. Week two of hearings will be July 17 to 21 in London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara, Hamilton and Toronto. Presenters who can not appear in person can make presentation via teleconference.
This is part of the democratic process. It gives people [a chance] to let the government hear how their policies will impact them.
The application deadline for the first week of hearings is July 4. Those wishing to present on the second week must apply by July 10.
Interested presenters must contact Eric Rennie, the Clerk of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at:
Eric Rennie
Tel. 416-325-3506 Please mention the Silo when contacting.
Fax: 416-325-3505
erennie@ola.org
Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett:
It was just four months ago Premier Wynne rejected a $15 minimum wage hike, while re-affirming her support for the policy all three political parties agreed upon whereby increases would be based on the consumer price index. “We’ve got a really good process that actually de-politicizes the increases to the minimum wage,” she said.
However, on May 30, to the disbelief of many, the Wynne government announced a 32 per cent increase, over 18 months, to Ontario’s minimum wage.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports their members were blindsided by this turn of events. CFIB was led to believe the Changing Workplaces Review, and any proposed legislation, would not include minimum wage. Members of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association called the announcement a betrayal.
As a local restaurant owner emailed to me: “Minimum wage jobs are not meant to fully support a family. It is supposed to bolster a household income, start youth on the right track to gainful full-time employment, supplement retirement income, etc.” Citing increased costs of over $200,000 a year, he will look at “discontinuing his support of supporting and training young people to provide a bright future for them.”
My concern with the dramatic increase to $15 is the negative impact on Ontario’s productivity and competitiveness compared to neighboring jurisdictions. A hike to $15 is a job killer. We should be doing everything we can to bring back Ontario’s economy and the jobs and prosperity that go with it.
Under a Toronto Star headline, “$15-an-hour is too much too soon”, Opposition Leader Patrick Brown slammed the lack of a cost-benefit analysis. “If you look at all the adjacent jurisdictions – Quebec, Manitoba, Michigan, Ohio, New York – those within the regional zone we compete with, they’re all eight, nine, 10, 11 dollars,” he argued.
Mathew Lau in the Financial Post reports that according to the 2014 Minimum Wage Advisory Panel established by the Ontario Labour Minister, raising the minimum wage reduces employment and is a bad way of reducing poverty. Indeed, the panel noted some studies “find that a higher minimum wage leads to an increase in poverty.”
We are also told the wage hike will smother the Wynne-supported local food initiative. In a recent news release, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association said, “This increase in cost will be unsustainable for many of the province’s fruit and vegetable growers, which will result in the reduction of the availability of locally produced fruit and vegetables as farms shut down.”
Barrie Hill Farms explained to the Barrie Advance that local asparagus could increase to $3.69 per pound to sit on a grocery store shelf beside imported asparagus at $2.49 per pound. Other parts of the world have friendly climates so production is higher and their cost of labour is much lower.
As Opposition Critic, I call on the Honourable Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and also Minister Responsible for Small Business, to heed the advice coming in from Ontario’s agri-food, tourism and small business sectors. To my mind, a $15 minimum wage is based on cynical vote-getting politics – not evidence-based economics.
Even without an economic analysis we can conclude that a dramatic minimum wage hike is pointless if you don’t have a job to wake up to in the morning.
UPDATE JULY 14- $15 minimum wage up for debate
SIMCOE – I’m headed on the road for hearings on Bill 148 as part of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, while the government is perhaps starting to waiver on a $15 minimum wage.
Last week, Liberal Labour Minister Kevin Flynn announced on the London radio station AM980’s Andrew Lawton Show that Ontario’s $15 minimum wage is “still up for debate.”
On top of that, Liberal MPP Vic Dhillon revealed in a Facebook video that he “had no idea about the ramifications” the proposed legislation would have on the restoration businesses. He also admitted there are things he didn’t think about, and that frustrated forestry industry representatives “had a valid point.”
Hearings will be held in: London – July 17, Kitchener-Waterloo -July 18 , Niagara Falls- July 19, Hamilton – July 20 and Toronto on July 21.
I look forward to hearing from organizations, individuals and businesses across Ontario with respect to minimum wage. It does concern me, however, that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business will not be allowed to testify.
For more information, contact me, MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org
$15 minimum wage threat to students, local food
By MPP Toby Barrett
It was just four months ago Premier Wynne rejected a $15 minimum wage hike, while re-affirming her support for the policy all three political parties agreed upon whereby increases would be based on the consumer price index. “We’ve got a really good process that actually de-politicizes the increases to the minimum wage,” she said.
However, on May 30, to the disbelief of many, the Wynne government announced a 32 per cent increase, over 18 months, to Ontario’s minimum wage.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports their members were blindsided by this turn of events. CFIB was led to believe the Changing Workplaces Review, and any proposed legislation, would not include minimum wage. Members of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association called the announcement a betrayal.
As a local restaurant owner emailed to me: “Minimum wage jobs are not meant to fully support a family. It is supposed to bolster a household income, start youth on the right track to gainful full-time employment, supplement retirement income, etc.” Citing increased costs of over $200,000 a year, he will look at “discontinuing his support of supporting and training young people to provide a bright future for them.”
My concern with the dramatic increase to $15 is the negative impact on Ontario’s productivity and competitiveness compared to neighboring jurisdictions. A hike to $15 is a job killer. We should be doing everything we can to bring back Ontario’s economy and the jobs and prosperity that go with it.
Under a Toronto Star headline, “$15-an-hour is too much too soon”, Opposition Leader Patrick Brown slammed the lack of a cost-benefit analysis. “If you look at all the adjacent jurisdictions – Quebec, Manitoba, Michigan, Ohio, New York – those within the regional zone we compete with, they’re all eight, nine, 10, 11 dollars,” he argued.
Mathew Lau in the Financial Post reports that according to the 2014 Minimum Wage Advisory Panel established by the Ontario Labour Minister, raising the minimum wage reduces employment and is a bad way of reducing poverty. Indeed, the panel noted some studies “find that a higher minimum wage leads to an increase in poverty.”
We are also told the wage hike will smother the Wynne-supported local food initiative. In a recent news release, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association said, “This increase in cost will be unsustainable for many of the province’s fruit and vegetable growers, which will result in the reduction of the availability of locally produced fruit and vegetables as farms shut down.”
Barrie Hill Farms explained to the Barrie Advance that local asparagus could increase to $3.69 per pound to sit on a grocery store shelf beside imported asparagus at $2.49 per pound. Other parts of the world have friendly climates so production is higher and their cost of labour is much lower.
As Opposition Critic, I call on the Honourable Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and also Minister Responsible for Small Business, to heed the advice coming in from Ontario’s agri-food, tourism and small business sectors. To my mind, a $15 minimum wage is based on cynical vote-getting politics – not evidence-based economics.
Even without an economic analysis we can conclude that a dramatic minimum wage hike is pointless if you don’t have a job to wake up to in the morning.
Facts Still Matter in Ontario
Earlier today, while speaking out against a $15 minimum wage and fairer workplaces and better jobs, PC Leader Patrick Brown decided to continue his campaign of misinformation. Even when he’s busy opposing an increased minimum wage in Ontario, he needs to remember that Facts Still Matter in Ontario.
He claimed: “If you look at all the adjacent jurisdictions…that we compete with…[a minimum wage increase] makes us once again not competitive.”
Fact: Jurisdictions across North America are in the process of increasing their minimum wage to $15 or even higher.
New York’s minimum wage for employers with 11 or more employees is currently just under $15 CAD and going up to over $20 CAD by 2019. Washington D.C. is doing the same by 2020.
Illinois lawmakers voted last night to raise their minimum wage to over $20 CAD by 2022 – almost doubling what minimum wage workers currently make.
Arizona, Colorado, and Maine will be increasing their minimum wage to over $16 CAD by 2020. Washington State and Oregon are raising theirs to over $18 CAD by 2020 and 2022 respectively.
Here in Canada, Alberta will have a $15 minimum wage in place by 2018. The new NDP-Green Party coalition in B.C. has also pledged to move forward with an increased minimum wage of “at least $15 per hour.”
(Source: http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx)
(Source : http://wgntv.com/2017/05/30/house-approves-to-raise-illinois-minimum-wage-to-15/)
(Source: http://globalnews.ca/news/3490544/highlights-of-the-ndp-and-green-party-deal-in-b-c/)
(Source : https://work.alberta.ca/employment-standards/minimum-wage.html)
He claimed: “We’re not competitive on hydro, we’re not competitive on red tape”
Fact: Patrick Brown and the Conservatives voted against reducing electricity bills by 25% for Ontario families.
(Source: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/house-proceedings/house_detail.do?Date=2017-5-18&Parl=41&Sess=2&locale=en#para763)
Fact: The PC’s have refused to release any plan on hydro even after saying it would be coming out shortly.
(Source: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/04/03/brown-nixes-plan-for-tory-hydro-policy-on-rates-this-year.html)
Fact: Our government won a golden scissors award for cutting red tape.
(Source: https://twitter.com/cfibON/status/850408338441609217)
He claimed: “Our hospitals aren’t getting the support they need”
Fact: This year’s balanced budget invests billions of dollars into our health care system to reduce wait times, provide access to care and to enhance the patient experience. This includes an additional $518 million for hospitals – a three-per-cent increase overall to the sector and a 2% minimum funding increase for all hospitals across Ontario.
(Source: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2017/ch4a.html#a8)
He claimed: “…at the same time we’re cutting funds for autism that we have huge needs”
Fact: We are investing an unprecedented half-billion dollars over the next four years to create new services for children and youth with ASD. This includes giving families of children with autism more options for their children by offering a new, permanent direct funding option through the Ontario Autism Program.
(Source:https://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/2017/05/expanding-service-options-for-children-and-youth-with-autism.html)
He claimed: “She doesn’t want it to be about the deficit because now we have the FAO saying we have a giant deficit”
Fact: Here’s a quote from the report: “The FAO Projects that a balanced budget is within the government’s reach in 2017 – 2018”.
(Source: http://www.fao-on.org/en/Blog/media/EFO_Spring_2017_MR)