Ontario minimum wage just increased by 35 cents, but advocates say it's not enough
Ontario's minimum wage has increased by 35 cents to reflect inflation, but labor advocates argue the raise is insufficient to meet the cost of living. The increase is tied to the province's consumer price index.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the growing gap between government-mandated minimum wages and the actual cost of living in major urban centers.
In a news release Thursday, the government said the increase is tied to Ontario’s consumer price index (CPI), now at 1.9 per cent, and the amount will benefit more than 700,000 workers across the province. A worker earning minimum wage 40 hours per week will see an annual pay increase of about $728, the government said.
Under the Employment Standards Act, the minimum wage is "adjusted" every year on Oct. 1 to reflect changes in the CPI.
"As families and workers face higher costs and businesses navigate changing trade environments, today’s minimum wage increase will help workers keep pace with global economic uncertainty while maintaining a predictable approach that businesses can plan for," said Labour Minister Trevor Jones in the release.
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