Minimum Wage

Dear Editor Is there any doubt, in anyone's mind, that the increase in minimum wage is to buy votes – Nothing more, nothing less (does gas-plant closures come to mind)? But was there any thought put into Bill 148, "The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017," that raises the minimum wage, pays part-time workers the same as full time workers, paid sick days for everyone, paid vacation time for everyone, and make employee scheduling fairer? Seriously?!?

Face it, the majority of employers want people to prosper, it's just good business sense. But government is effectively destroying business, and the everyday person with this rash increase. The report "Minimum Wage Increases, Wages, and Low-Wage Employment: Evidence from Seattle," by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research, is a prime example of government interference, with private sector wages, putting business and workers at risk. There are various groups, in Ontario, telling people to go out to local barbeques and speak with their MPPs about this, but is that actually going to assist small business? No, because an MPP will be in fear they won't get elected. They will pay lip service to small businesses; they will pay different lip service to special interest groups who are looking for this increase – but will anyone tell the people that an increase to $14 in 6 months, and then another increase to $15, within a year, is going to put people out of work and ruin the economy? And what about using some reason, some common sense and looking at the reality of life in Ontario? Obviously government hasn't used any, or government wouldn't be out there promising subsidies to small business because they want to buy votes. Question – what about Canada's international trade deals? Aren't subsidies in violation of those trade deals? Oh, and don't forget NAFTA – How are the Americans going to deal with these subsidies? Businesses will have to lay people off; they will close; or they will have to increase prices by over 31%.

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So what happened to that increase in pay? You won't be able to afford anything because the prices are too high. You'll be working less hours because your employer can't afford it. Co-workers are gone – laid off because of the costs. And taxes will go up because of the subsidies government will pay to select businesses to stay in business. The money has to come from somewhere, doesn't it? Add onto that, the price of electricity, after those subsidies run out; the carbon tax, etc., and there will be very few businesses left in Ontario for anyone to work at. That's the New-Demo-Progressive-Con-Liberal Party for you – no sense, no reason and not in the best interest of Ontarians…shame, shame, shame.