Ontario’s minimum wage goes up

The minimum legal wage paid to close to 11 per cent of all workers in Ontario rose by 25 cents on Thursday.

As previously announced earlier this year, as of October 1st, minimum wage will climb $0.25 to $11.25 an hour.

“We are very pleased to be able raise the hourly rates of our workers to meet the minimum wage guidelines established by the city, and gratified by the active participation of our student organizations in helping to reinforce this direction”, said UW Interim President Ana Mari Cauce.

“We want to get the word out that the minimum wage is being adjusted by 25 cents to keep up with inflation”, says Deena Ladd, coordinator of the Workers’ Action Centre.

Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are raising the minimum wage employers must pay their workers. The minimum wage for students will rise from $10.30 per hour to $10.55 per hour.

After protests and questions about whether the University of Washington would be required to follow Seattle’s $15 minimum wage law, the university has decided company.

“All workers need at least $15 an hour”, says Ryan. Between 1995 and 2004, when Ontario’s general minimum wage was frozen, it lost more than 20% of its purchasing power.