Residents of Hamilton will not be getting an increase to minimum wage this year, something that the City and Province has been accustomed to over the last seven years. Premier Dalton McGuinty announced on Friday that minimum wage will remain at $10.25/hour for 2011.
"We've increased it, I think, seven times in seven years,” McGuinty said at a news conference in Oakville. "It's now the highest in the country."
McGuinty explains that the freeze will give employers a boost in recovery from the global economic downturn over the last couple of years, and that the wage freeze would help them get back on their feet.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business warned earlier this week raising the minimum wage would kill jobs.
Labour Minister Charles Sousa added that the government will appoint a business and labour committee this fall to advise on any changes to the minimum wage for 2012.
General Minimum Wage Over the Years
This rate applies to most employees.
January 1995: $6.85/hour
February 1, 2004: $7.15/hour
February 1, 2005: $7.45/hour
February 1, 2006: $7.75/hour
February 1, 2007: $8.00/hour
March 31, 2008: $8.75/hour
March 31, 2009: $9.50/hour
March 31, 2010: $10.25/hour
This rate applies to most employees.
January 1995: $6.85/hour
February 1, 2004: $7.15/hour
February 1, 2005: $7.45/hour
February 1, 2006: $7.75/hour
February 1, 2007: $8.00/hour
March 31, 2008: $8.75/hour
March 31, 2009: $9.50/hour
March 31, 2010: $10.25/hour
UPDATE: After conducting a poll on the issue of freezing minimum wage, it was an even 50-50 split of those who agree and oppose. Thanks to all who took part in the poll.
I definitely don't agree. Given that we have seen major lay offs in the last couple of years forcing many to take on 'minimum wage' jobs, I definitely believe this should be the year that there is an increase. It is very difficult to live i...ndependently on 16,000 a year, and for many in this province, they have no choice. The minimums generally do not automatically increase according to the inflation rate, but are adjusted on an ad-hoc basis by provincial and territorial governments. This is why this is quite the surprise. If you want to kick-start an economy again after such an awful economic collapse, I would think that by increasing minimum wage, you are encouraging domestic spending and in turn helping the economy out. Most won't feel the effects of this, but for those living just above the poverty line, I think those extra .75 cents per hour do count, especially with rising costs in housing, fuel and food.
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