In the four years since the last increase, it’s become depressingly clear that Ontario has a significant underclass of full-time workers who are living in poverty. Some 534,000 people work 35 hours or more each week, earning minimum wage. Their annual incomes hover around $20,000 — not high enough to reach the official annual low-income measurement of $23,000. Try raising children on that. It’s true that the business lobby is warning against increases, calling them job killers. Even the tiniest of increases worry business groups, which are pushing for increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. This approach would serve to lock those earning minimum wage into a cycle of poverty since inflation is running at historically low levels. Instead, a few extra dollars in the wallets of Ontario’s poorest workers could help their families — and the economy. Most will spend their money on much-needed items so the money will go back into local businesses. If Wynne wants to create a just society for Ontario families, she must ensure that workers who are paid the most basic of wages get a financial boost. There’s nothing to gain by waiting, and much to lose.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 03:22:32 +0000
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