Ontario tweaks labour reform bill, but no changes to minimum wage phase-in
TORONTO — A major Ontario labour reform bill is being tweaked but so far is seeing no significant changes to key parts, including a controversial phase-in of a $15 minimum wage, leaving concerned businesses looking to a relief package promised by the premier.
The Liberal government’s legislation includes equal pay for part-time workers, increased vacation entitlements and expanded personal emergency leave, but the centrepiece is an increase in the minimum wage. It is currently set to rise from $11.60 in October to $14 in January, and $15 in 2019.
Businesses have said a 32 per cent increase in less than 18 months will be tough to absorb, and have called for a slower rise.
But the government made no changes to that timeline in the first round of amendments at a Liberal-dominated committee this week, and also voted down almost every change proposed by the NDP, such as giving all workers five paid sick days and eliminating minimum wage exemptions for servers.