March 15, 2014
Minimum wage hike raising concerns
Ontario’s minimum wage will increase by 75 cents an hour to $11, starting June 1.
The province has also introduced legislation to tie future increases to the rate of inflation, which was a recommendation from a panel created by the provincial government. The recommendation called for reviews of the minimum wage on Apr. 1 each year, and take effect Oct. 1.
The student minimum rate will go to $10.30 per hour up from $9.30. The province defines students as, “under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or work during a school break or summer holidays.”
Spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Nicole Troster, said, “Any kind of increase in the minimum wage is difficult for businesses to bear. That’s because employers have to account for more than just the immediate raise.”
“The owner-operator also has to account for increased payroll taxes as a result of the higher wages,” Troster said. “Then other workers presumably will expect a bump-up.”
The province has also introduced legislation to tie future increases to the rate of inflation, which was a recommendation from a panel created by the provincial government. The recommendation called for reviews of the minimum wage on Apr. 1 each year, and take effect Oct. 1.
The student minimum rate will go to $10.30 per hour up from $9.30. The province defines students as, “under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or work during a school break or summer holidays.”
Spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Nicole Troster, said, “Any kind of increase in the minimum wage is difficult for businesses to bear. That’s because employers have to account for more than just the immediate raise.”
“The owner-operator also has to account for increased payroll taxes as a result of the higher wages,” Troster said. “Then other workers presumably will expect a bump-up.”