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TORONTO, ON/CNW/ - Ontario is raising the minimum wage to
$9.50 on March 31, 2009. This is the sixth increase since 2004.
The province of Ontario started implementing annual increases
early in 2003, raising the general minimum wage from $6.85 in
2004 to $8.00 in 2007. By 2010, Ontario will further increase
the minimum wage to $10.25.
Phasing in these increases balances the needs of hard working
families with the needs of small businesses that create jobs.
Increasing the minimum wage is part of Breaking the Cycle:
Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy (http://www.growingstronger.ca/english/default.asp),
which will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25
per cent over 5 years - lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty - by
boosting benefits for low-income families and enhancing
publicly-funded education.
QUOTES
"We are helping hard-working Ontarians maintain a decent
standard of living. A fair minimum wage is good for workers." -
Peter Fonseca, Minister Of Labour
"This increase in minimum wage puts over $1300 a year in the
pockets of our lowest paid workers. This is another way that
we're continuing to move forward with our poverty reduction
strategy and our commitment to improve opportunity for all
Ontarians." - Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth
Services
QUICK FACTS
By 2010, raises will have totalled $3.40 (50 per cent)
since 2004
The minimum wage (http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/info/minimumwage/)
remained static in Ontario between 1995 and 2004.
The major sector industries employing minimum wage
earners are:
accommodation and food, retail trade, and agriculture.
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