The upcoming minimum wage increase will have a minimal impact in Hastings Highlands.
That’s according to Treasurer and Deputy CAO David Stewart. This comes as the province has announced minimum wage will jump to $14 an hour next year, and to $15 in 2019. Stewart says this increase won’t hit the municipality too hard as its unionized and non-unionized full-time employees are already paid above what minimum wage will go up to.
But, Stewart also says the increase could cause a ‘racketing-up effect,’ which means employees who make over minimum wage could ask for more as the pay-gap tightens. Stewart says that could have a significant impact on Hastings Highlands.
Stewart says there is no exact figure on how much the minimum wage increase will cost the municipality.