Hamilton city councillors have voted to support a $15 per hour minimum wage.
City council has voted 11-to-5 to “symbolically” endorse the provincial government’s Bill 148.
Stoney Creek’s Doug Conley warns of layoffs because “small business cannot afford it,” but Mayor Fred Eisenberger says it’s about ensuring that people don’t have to choose between food and rent.
Eisenberger insists that “a real shift” in corporate responsibility has left “far too many people” working part-time jobs at four days or less.
He stresses that corporations get those employees “just to the point where they don’t trigger all of those costs and benefits” and “all of those issues then get borne by municipalities and governments.”
Council has also given unanimous, final approval to a $50-million, 10-year poverty reduction strategy which focuses on repairs to existing — and the construction of new — affordable housing.
At least $20 million will be spent through CityHousing Hamilton, despite an audit that will be debated by city councillors next week that outlines several concerns including “significant spending without a competitive process.”
The strategy also sets aside $10 million, specifically to address Indigenous housing and poverty issues.
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