After a recent announcement regarding a government-proposed minimum wage increase, as well as the elimination of server minimum wage, we want to ensure we are advocating on behalf of our members at the various tables we sit around which does include a provincial roundtable of Chambers of Commerce.
Please consider taking a moment and letting us know how this proposed change may impact your business. Feedback of any nature is helpful for us, so that we can represent Centre Wellington businesses to the best of our ability. There are several poll questions below, and additional feedback can be sent in confidence to [email protected].
IN CASE YOU MISSED THE ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Ontario government announced on November 2 that it will introduce legislation that, if passed, would raise the general minimum wage from $14.35 to $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2022. Under the proposed changes, the special minimum wage rate for liquor servers (currently $12.55) would be eliminated and they would be entitled to the general minimum wage. Students under 18 would also see an increase in their special minimum wage rates from $13.50 to $14.10 per hour.
We are in favour of fair compensation and wage increases that are planned and done in consultation with the business community so that businesses have time to plan and implement the changes. This is a departure from scheduled minimum wage increases and is being proposed on a very tight timeline in terms of implementation for businesses. We know that many businesses are still grappling with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, including cashflow constraints and the increased cost of doing business. The way the proposed changes are being implemented, leaves employers with less than two months to plan, and will have considerable administrative and financial impact amidst a pandemic.
