Ontario is working on a minimum wage increase of 50 cents by fall says Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government.
The proposed wage increase to $15.50 per hour would take effect on Oct. 1, after Ontarians are expected to go to the polls in June.
This eight per cent increase over one year is to help workers keep up with rising costs and inflation.
“For many Ontarians, wages haven’t kept up with the increasing cost of living, making it harder than ever to make ends meet,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Ontario’s workers are the best anywhere, and they will be at the forefront of building the province. They deserve to have more money in their pockets and the increase we’re announcing today is one more way we are delivering for our workers.”
Premier Doug Ford’s government previously cancelled a 2019 minimum wage increase to $15 from $14 per hour, but then raised the wage to $15 per hour in January of this year.
“Our government is leading the country with unprecedented changes that rebalance the scales and help workers earn bigger paycheques,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Raising the minimum wage is part of our workers-first plan to give hundreds of thousands of families a hand up as we build a stronger economy that works for everyone.”
The next increase this fall, which is tied to the Consumer Price Index, means that workers earning the general minimum wage and working 40 hours per week would see their annual pay rise by $1,768. Liquor servers who work 40 hours per week would see an annual raise of $5,512.
Raising the minimum wage is part of Ontario’s plan to fight for our workers and build a future where our province remains the top place in the world to work, live and raise a family.
Other provincial parties are making promises to boost the minimum wage if elected as well including the NDP who have said they will raise the minimum wage to $16 as of Oct. 1 if elected to form government, and bring the wage to $20 per hour in 2026 as well the the Liberals who say they will increase the wage to $16 per hour by Jan. 1, 2023 if they are elected.
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