Ontario hikes minimum wage to $11 an hour

[George II]

Source: Globe and Mail, Toronto

Published Thursday, Jan. 30 2014, 10:15 AM EST

Last updated Thursday, Jan. 30 2014, 10:42 AM EST

Ontario’s first minimum wage hike in four years will take effect on June 1. The wage will rise to $11 from $10.25 an hour, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced Thursday at an inner-city café in Toronto.

"In this calculus, we needed to balance the needs of small businesses...with the needs of people to have a living wage," Ms. Wynne said.

"We have to take care of people. For me, the fairness agenda is part of our economic well-being."

The government will also introduce legislation to tie future minimum wage increases to inflation.


Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-hikes-minimum-wage-to-11-an-hour/article1660493

---

More and more every day, Canada is showing itself to be more progressive and compassionate than the United States.

[PDJane]

1. It's still not enough to drag minimum wage workers out of poverty.

We need to re-elect Wynne and work on her to do the right thing. The conservatives are still following the playbook. If we elect them, we won't be going anywhere.

[BlueEye]

2. Not to be "that guy"...

But $11.00 Canadian Dollars is equal to $9.84 USD based on today's exchange rate.

Still, well done to Ontario for this progressive initiative. I can only hope the United States can be as compassionate (and sensible) as you guys are.

[George II]

4. True, but unless there is an exchange, essentially $11 can buy $11 worth of Canadian....

....goods and services.

I'm actually surprised that the exchange rate is that high now. I was up in Toronto* in October and it was basically at par (+/- 2-3%).

And then you throw in the rounding of a few cents up there since they no longer support the penny!

*I've lived in the US all my life, over 65 years, but have dual citizenship due to parental birthplace.

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. on "not supporting the penny" - oh yes we do

.
.
.

just not in cash at the till - pay by debit or credit - it' is not rounded up or down.

And how many of us use cash now anyways?

I always use debit - pennies DO add up!



CC

[Coyotl]

3. We need a $12.00 minimum wage on the ballot ion every state possible this Fall.

GOTV!