Little support locally for increasing the minimum wage again
By Bill Rea

The minimum wage is now up to $8 per hour in Ontario, as of the start of last month.

And despite the efforts of Ontario's New Democrats, the wage is going to stay there, at least for a while.

The current Liberal government of Premier Dalton McGuinty has been increasing the minimum wage every year since it took power at Queen's Park, and the NDP have been calling for it to be raised to $10. That was an issue that came up in last week's provincial byelection campaigns, and party leader Howard Hampton raised it in congratulating Paul Ferreira on his victory York South - Weston last week, stating "a fair $10 minimum wage for workers are all more important than a $40,000 raise," that McGuinty awarded himself.

"When it comes to sharing the wealth, Dalton McGuinty has a troubling double standard - a $40,000 raise for himself, but only 25 cents today for Ontario's minimum wage earners," Hampton said when the minimum wage went up Feb. 1. "Even with changes to the minimum wage, the wage paid to Ontario's lowest-paid workers remains a poverty wage. It is a disgrace that in a wealthy province like Ontario that someone can work full-time - and work hard - and not be able to lift their family out of poverty. That has to change."

But York North MPP Julia Munro advised caution before the wage is adjusted again.

"Probably it should be more of a process than just a political discussion," she commented, adding increasing the wage impacts on employers as well as employees. She pointed out the pay rates for many jobs in the market place are pegged according to what the minimum wage is. "It has a huge ripple effect," she declared.

Vaughan - King - Aurora MPP (and Finance Minister) Greg Sorbara said the real issue is to how best to deal with individuals and families living in poverty. He wondered how effective minimum wage is in such matters, adding a broader public policy, including adjustments to the tax system, is needed.

Sorbara also cited statistics that indicate most people working for minimum wage are students or young people living in a family setting. That means the economic conditions of the families come into play.

He added there are no immediate plans to adjust policy, although he said that's always an area to be examined around the time the provincial budget is being prepared.