FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 23, 2017
QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett joined his Opposition colleagues in voting against The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act.
This sweeping legislation will make dramatic changes to the province’s labour legislation, including increasing the minimum wage to $14 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2018, with a further increase to $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2019.
Barrett has heard a barrage of complaints against the legislation from local employers, some who said it could make the difference between whether they stay in business or not. The Opposition proposed the further increase to $15 per hour be phased in over four years, not taking full effect until 2022.
“All three parties agreed that minimum wage increases should be tied to the Consumer Price Index until the Premier surprised everyone with the proposal for the increase to $15 per hour last spring,” Barrett said. “With an election next year, this is obvious political opportunism.”
Many independent financial analysists, including the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario, have predicted massive job losses in the wake of the legislation and impacts on the most vulnerable in society. Barrett has already heard of instances where the disadvantaged in society have already lost their jobs due to the pending changes.
“It seems like everything is stacked against Ontario farms and businesses,” Barrett said. “High electricity rates, mountains of red tape and this legislation will only make things worse. If NAFTA fails, I don’t want to predict how bad the province’s economy will look.”
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 419-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org