Ontario government wraps up consultations on labour reforms at Queen’s Park

TORONTO – Unions and advocacy groups are getting one last chance to weigh in on the Ontario government’s bid to make sweeping changes to the province’s labour laws.

The government is wrapping up more than a week of public consultations on proposed legislation that would, among other things, raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, require equal pay for part-time workers and expand personal emergency leave.

READ MORE: Ontario minimum wage committee hearings a bit of an eye opener

After holding hearings across the province, the legislative committee is hearing today from groups such as the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Federation of Labour and the United Way of Toronto and York Region.

The Chamber of Commerce, which has consistently opposed the wage increase, says the proposed legislation will “put the success of competitiveness of Ontario’s business community in jeopardy, particularly our small business community.”

READ MORE: Ontario seeks public input on $15 minimum wage

Labour groups, meanwhile, say they see the reforms as a step in the right direction, but stress more needs to be done to protect precarious workers.

Some also highlighted the need for designated leave for victims of domestic or sexual assault to ensure their job and income security isn’t at risk.

VIDEO: Liberals to increase hourly minimum wage in Ontario

1:42 Liberals to increase hourly minimum wage in Ontario