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Ontario Premier Wynne promises small-business relief to offset minimum wage hike
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Following strong calls by CFA to find ways to offset the damaging impacts of the proposed minimum wage increase, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne pledged to work with small businesses to bring forward new initiatives that will help them cope with the transition to $15/hour by January 1, 2019.
In CFA's presentation and submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, we clearly articulated the need for a mix of the following potential offset options:
- Increased implementation timeframe;
- Income tax credits;
- Benefits credits;
- Training allowances/subsidies;
- Uniform purchase credits;
- Lower payroll taxes;
- Government wage enhancement; and
- Reduced HST.
While the government's commitment to offset the impact on Ontario businesses is a positive development, CFA will remain diligent in working with the government to ensure the offsets are substantial so as to alleviate as much financial strain as possible across our membership. We will continue to provide updates to members as new information becomes available.
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BC Premier Horgan announces plans to increase minimum wage to $15/hour by 2021, modernize employment standards and labour laws
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In a mandate letter dated July 18, newly elected BC Premier John Horgan instructed Minister of Labour Harry Bains to prioritize the following notable items:
- Establish a Fair Wage Commission to support the work of implementing the $15-per-hour minimum wage by 2021 and to bring forward recommendations to close the gap between the minimum wage and livable wages. The commission will make its first report within 90 days of its first meeting;
- Create a Temporary Foreign Worker registry to help protect vulnerable workers from exploitation and to track the use of temporary workers in our economy;
- Update employment standards to reflect the changing nature of workplaces and ensure they are applied evenly and enforced;
- Review and develop options with WorkSafeBC to increase compliance with employment laws and standards put in place to protect the lives and safety of workers; and
- Ensure British Columbians have the same rights and protections enjoyed by other Canadians by reviewing the Labour Code to ensure workplaces support a growing, sustainable economy with fair laws for workers and businesses.
CFA has already reached out to the newly elected BC government to ensure the voice of the franchise industry is heard on all of these issues. Moving forward, in addition to meetings with the newly appointed cabinet, CFA will also be holding a Franchise Awareness Day at the BC Legislature this Fall, where members will be able to interact with MLAs directly; details will be announced soon.
Should you have any questions, please contact Ryan Eickmeier, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy a
t
[email protected] or 416-695-2896 ext. 297.
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