Advertisement

Liberals introduce bill to tie minimum wage to inflation

The Ministry of Justice is providing the Regina Police with $100,000 and the Victim’s Fund with $100,000. Denis Beaumont / The Canadian Press Images

TORONTO – Ontario’s governing Liberals introduced legislation today that would tie minimum wage increases to the rate of provincial inflation.

Labour Minister Yasir Naqvi says it would take the politics out of the debate on minimum wage and provide predictability for businesses.

The government has already said it will increase minimum wage to $11 an hour on June 1 from $10.25.

Story continues below advertisement

But the proposed legislation – which would require the support of at least one of the opposition parties – would tie all future hikes to the consumer price index.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The new minimum wage would also be announced April 1 each year and take effect Oct. 1, giving businesses a six-month advance warning.

The NDP put forward a similar plan today, saying they would increase minimum wage by 50 cents a year until it reaches $12 in 2016 before tying it to inflation.

They say they’d also cut the small business tax rate to four per cent from 4.5 per cent in June, then down to 3.5 per cent in 2015 and three per cent in 2016.

Story continues below advertisement

Naqvi accused the NDP of playing politics.

Naqvi said the legislation would amend the law to change the way minimum wage is determined, but cabinet still has the authority to change it by regulation.

“I think it’s very important that we do change the law, that we do bring the fairness and predictability … that Ontarians have been asking for,” he said.

Sponsored content

AdChoices