October increase comes ahead of planned hike to $15
Ontario increased the general minimum wage for the fourth consecutive year Oct. 1, to $11.60.
As a part of Ontario's plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs, the general minimum wage is expected to increase to $14 Jan. 1, 2018, and then to $15 on Jan. 1, 2019, which would be followed by annual increases at the rate of inflation.
Ontario's current plan will also ensure part-time and temporary help agency workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introduce paid sick days for every worker, enable at least three weeks' vacation after five years with the same employer and step up enforcement of employment laws.
Since 2004, when it stood at $6.85, Ontario’s minimum wage has risen by nearly 70 per cent.
“Fairness and decency must continue to be the defining values of our workplaces,” said Kevin Flynn, Ontario’s Labour Minister. “No one working full time should be struggling to put food on the table or buy clothing for their children. Increasing the minimum wage will create more fairness, opportunity and security for workers, while building a more stable and sustainable economy that also includes fair workplaces for everyone.”
