The Prince Edward-Hastings MPP is concerned about the impact the province’s minimum wage increase will have on small businesses.
The province has announced minimum wage will officially be going up to $14 an hour on January 1st. It will increase to $15 an hour in 2019.
MPP Todd Smith says he would have liked to see the nearly 40 per cent increase to minimum wage introduced over a longer period of time.
The Liberal Caucus says those making minimum wage, and struggling to pay rent, put food on the table, or care for their families, could not afford to wait. However, Smith says the Ontario Chamber of Commerce reports the increase will actually cost 185,000 jobs across the province, which will have a major impact on the economy.
Smith also says the wage increase will affect non-profit and social service organizations that haven’t seen funding increases in years.
The Liberal Caucus says by raising minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019, and tying further increases to the rate of inflation, it will be over $16 by 2022.