In response to recent changes in Ontario’s labour laws, including a hike in minimum wage, Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller is asking for input from local business owners.
Miller recently released a survey that asks how business owners think the new policies will impact their businesses, specifically:
“Raising the minimum wage from $11.40 to $14 in 2018 and to $15 in 2019;
Requiring employees to be paid for three hours of work if their shifts are cancelled within 48 hours of the start of the shift;
Requiring that employees who are on call be paid for three hours of work for any 24-hour period during which they are on call; and
Requiring that part-time employees be paid the same as full-time employees doing the same job.”
In a conversation with Doppler, Miller said, “On the last day of legislature, the government introduced new legislation that is going impact jobs in Ontario with some fairly significant changes that are proposed. I thought it was important to measure how these changes would impact jobs, particularly in Parry Sound-Muskoka.”
Miller wants to make business owners aware of both the changes and give business owners opportunity to be heard.
I think (the government) should be at least listening to what people in business have to say, especially small businesses who are the job creators. It’s important to know how they think they are going to react to the proposed changes to know whether it’s going to help people or hurt people and help or hurt businesses. There may be unintended consequences.
Miller noted that one of those consequences could be fewer jobs. “If the result of making a 35 per cent increase in minimum wage in a fairly short time frame is that there’s less hours or less jobs available, that would actually hurt the people it’s intended to help. I’m not saying that’s what’s going to happen but I think it’s important to at least do an economic analysis, and to listen to those that are actually in the business of creating wealth, and trying to run businesses and trying to employ people in the province.”
He intends to use the survey results to raise concerns or make public results in the legislature. While Miller’s survey itself has no current closing date, he urges business owners to both respond as soon as possible and also consider making comment to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, to which the legislation has been referred.
“It’s important for anyone who has an opinion, to at very minimal send an email to the clerk of the committee with their feelings, positive or negative or whatever their thoughts are so that they do get heard,” said Miller. Presentations can also be made to the Committee, but there is a limited time in which to do so.
The Committee will hold 10 public hearings from July 10-21 – Thunder Bay on July 10, North Bay on July 11, Ottawa on July 12, Kingston on July 13, Windsor-Essex on July 14, London on July 17, Kitchener-Waterloo on July 18, Niagara on July 19, Hamilton on July 20, and Toronto on July 21, 2017. Anyone interested in making an oral presentation to committee needs to notify the clerk of the committee by 10:00 a.m. on July 4 for the July 10-14 hearings and before 10:00 a.m. on July 10 for the July 17-21 hearings.
Written comments to the committee can be made before 5:30 p.m. on July 21, mailed to Room 1405, Whitney Block, Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M7A 1A2.
To contact Clerk Eric Rennie of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, email [email protected] or call 416-325-3506.
MPP Miller’s survey can be complete online here or download a copy here and return it to the address noted on the form.
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Is there a website to go to if you are going to get a raise. What are you going to spend the money on? Rent, groceries, municipal tax increases, electricity, or dental bills?
Perhaps you are going to donate to the conservative party?
Do you feel unworthy of your raise? Are you going to continue to vote for politicians who don’t care about your problems?
Your MPP isn’t interested in your answer.